BUSINESS SUPPORT PARTNERS
Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership. LEPs are partnerships between local authorities and businesses and play a central role in determining local economic priorities and undertaking activities to drive growth and the creation of local jobs. The Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is working with partners across Hertfordshire to support economic growth across the county. The LEP commissions the Hertfordshire Growth Hub and other business support programmes.
www.hertfordshirelep.com
@HertsLEP
The Hertfordshire Growth Hub is a partnership between the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Examples, the University of Hertfordshire and Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce.
The Growth Hub aims to be the go-to service for established businesses in the county, with the drive and potential to grow, helping them find and use high quality locally-sourced support and expertise.
The Growth Hub offers free of charge, one-to-one support from experts specialising in skills, finance, technology and productivity, sales and marketing and inward investment. Based on a thorough evaluation of your business ambitions, the specialist business advisers will tailor an appropriate action plan and help you find any funding available for it.
Events are regularly run across the county and are based around the specialist advice areas. These interactive events feature guest presenters and industry experts; allowing SMEs in the county free access to real world advice and insights.
www.hertsgrowthhub.com
@HertsGrowthHub
Wenta is an award-winning, not-for-profit social enterprise providing free business advice, webinars, workshops and affordable, flexible workspace.
Watford is home to The Wenta Business Centre on Colne Way, just off the A41 which is an ideal location for both new and growing businesses. Free business advice (via telephone, live chat or in person) and webinars are available to all Watford residents and are run by Wenta’s experienced team of business advisors. Whether its advice on how to start a business, how to get your business online or sales tactics, the team can help.
Wenta also offers affordable, flexible and self-contained workspace for rental from offices to workshops, available on monthly terms and in a range of sizes. They are ideal if you need to find or re-locate your workspace to a more flexible and affordable option. The centre also offers a range of virtual office services and on-site meeting rooms for hire.
Wenta operates a ‘SEE’ programme across all of their business centres, including The Business & Technology Centre, which fully respects and prioritises the three core elements advised by Government on COVID-19: Social distancing – at all times, Enhanced Hygiene – across Wenta’s centres and Everyone’s Health – is number one.
www.wenta.co.uk
@TheWentaGroup
@WentaWatford
Watford and West Herts Chamber of Commerce represents the local business community – from micro to international organisations – and serves to create new opportunities for all members on an economic and social level by providing a wide range of services.
www.watfordchamber.co.uk
@WatfordChamber
Watford Business Improvement District (BID) is a business led initiative supported by government legislation which gives local businesses the power to raise and spend funds locally with the aim of improving their own business environment. It is an investment scheme where local businesses agree how their money should be invested to benefit themselves, their employees, customers, clients and their town. The money is raised via a levy which businesses in the BID area pay. This money is then reinvested back into the town on projects which have been identified as being important to the town.
www.watfordbid.co.uk
@WatfordBID
Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce is a privately run membership organisation which can open doors for local businesses and organisations of all types and size by helping them to grow their profile and connect with other businesses locally, nationally and globally. As the British Chamber of Commerce’s (BCC) Accredited Chamber of Commerce for Hertfordshire members can benefit from association with 52 other UK chambers and a network of 18 chambers globally.
www.hertschamber.com
@HertsChamber
The FSB is the UK’s largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and small business owners. Their mission is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions. As experts in business, they offer members a wide range of vital business services including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice in government.