Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Services (NWES)
Telephone: 0845 60 99 99 1
Website: www.nwes.org.uk (Opens new window)

Located at the Riverside Business Centre in Lowestoft, NWES is an award winning registered enterprise agency working in partnership with both the public and private sector offering a variety of services including: -

• Business advice and support – make an appointment to see a business advisor who can cover topics such as finance, marketing, production and human resources.
• Training – a full range of courses are offered from general business start-up to bespoke courses designed to suit the client’s specific needs.
• Premises – NWES have a substantial range of managed workspace to rent varying from industrial units to office space.
• Loan Fund – NWES is now a registered Community Development Finance Initiative (CDFI) which means they can access a variety of funds to businesses that cannot normally access mainstream finance.
• Grant advisory service – NWES can provide advice on selected grants available in the area as well as assist on eligibility checks and application completion.

Prince’s Trust
Area Office for the East of England
3a Princes Street
Suffolk
IP1 1PN
Tel: 01473 228844
Website: www.princes-trust.org.uk (Opens new window)


The Prince’s Trust is a UK charity that helps young people between the ages of 14-30 to overcome barriers and into work. They can provide training development programmes, business start-up advice and initial funding.


Business Link East

Information and Advice
08457 17 16 15
www.businesslinkeast.org.uk (opens new window)

Briefings and Workshops Information and Bookings
0845 601 1000
www.bookevents.org

Whether you are already running a business or just starting out then Business Link East can provide access to the most comprehensive range of independent and impartial advice to would be entrepreneurs and businesses across the East of England. Their website contains over 500 guides and 40 interactive tools designed to help businesses.

Their services include:

• Answers to any business questions through their information team
• Free one-to-one business advice from their experience business advisors
• Access to the broadest range of solutions to meet your needs

Chamber of Commerce
Waveney Chambers
Waveney Road
Lowestoft
NR32 1BN
Tel: 01502 502200, Fax: 01502 502202.
www.waveneychamber.co.uk (Opens new window)
 

The principal aim of the Chamber remains to promote trade and commerce in the area, and to this end Chamber members and its chief officer meet regularly with officers of Waveney District Council to discuss and raise matters affecting the business community.
The Chamber through its many events offers the opportunity for members to meet other business people to exchange views and opinions. Membership starts to around £115 + VAT per annum for a company employing 1-3.
We hold a number of regular meetings through a selection of established partnerships and special interest groups that include: 

• The Lowestoft Town Management Partnership (LTMP) 
• Lowestoft & Waveney Transport and Infrastructure Group 
• The Waveney Economic Partnership 
• Halesworth Business Connections – www.halesworth.org 
• Bungay Chamber of Trade 
• Beccles Business Association – www.beccles.info/directory/business.asp 
• Southwold & District Chamber of Trade & Commerce – www.southwold.biz
• 
  Franchises
  There are around 600 businesses in the UK that are franchised but what is franchising and would it be suitable for you?
  It’s a way of setting up in business for yourself but not on your own. With a franchise you run the business, but using methods that have been already tried and tested by another company, called the franchiser. It is a way of being your own boss without many of the risk factors. However, you are ultimately answerable to the franchisor and this approach may not be for some people. There are a number of websites that deal with selling franchises a small number are listed below:-
  
  www.franinfo.co.uk (Opens new window)
  http://www.thebfa.org/ (opens new window)  
  
  
  Department for Trade and Industry (DTI)
  Tel: 0207 215 5000
  Website: www.dti.gov.uk (Opens new window)
  
  The DTI works to create the best environment for businesses in the UK and is the voice for business success in government. They facilitate partnerships and promote fresh thinking between government, businesses, employees, unions, consumers and the scientific community.
  
  
  Inland Revenue
  Website: www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/startingup/index.htm (Opens new window)
  
  The Inland Revenue website contains useful information including main tax and National Insurance issues and as well as details on being self employed.
  
  
  InBiz
  Unit 5 & 6
  Riverside Business Centre
  Riverside Road
  Lowestoft
  NR33 0TQ
  lowestoft@inbiz.co.uk  
  www.inbiz.co.uk (Opens new window)
  
  InBiz has experience in helping those wanting to get into business by providing advice, guidance and practical support to help put ideas into action. With over fifteen years of experience of working with nearly 13,500 clients, InBiz have a unique insight into the opportunities and issues of business start and enterprise.
  
  
  National Federation of Enterprise (NFEA)
  
  www.nfea.com (Opens new window)
  
  The NFEA is a network of independent, not for profit, Local Enterprise Agencies committed to responding to the needs of small and growing businesses by providing a range of quality services. NWES (mentioned above) are the local member for Waveney. 
    
  
  NetRegs - environmental guidance for your business
  
  www.netregs.gov.uk/ (Opens new window)
  
  NetRegs provides free environmental guidance for small and medium-sized businesses in the UK. They will help you to understand what you need to do to comply with environmental law and protect the environment.
  
  
  Trading Standards
  Website: www.tradingstandards.gov.uk (Opens new window)
  The Trading Standards website acts as a one stop shop for consumer protection information in the UK. For local advice contact Suffolk County Council on 01473 584358.
  
  
  Women’s Employment Enterprise & Training Unit (WEETU)
  Sackville Place
  44/48 Magdalen Street
  Norwich
  Norfolk
  NR3 1JU
  Tel: 01603 767367
  Website: www.weetu.org (Opens new window)
  
  WEETU's primary purpose is to assist women in Norfolk and Waveney to develop their economic prospects and to improve access to the local labour market through the provision of high quality employment and enterprise support services. The services are designed specifically to meet the needs of women and address the barriers they face.
  
  
  Department of Work and Pensions
  For general information Tel: 020 7712 2171
  www.dwp.gov.uk (Opens new window)
  
  The Department for Work and Pensions is here to promote opportunity and independence for all through modern, customer-focused services.
  They help people to achieve their potential through employment, so that they are able to provide for their children and to work and save for secure retirement.
  
  
  Federation of Small Businesess
  East Anglian Regional Office
  PO Box 144
  Thetford
  Norfolk
  IP24 1YA
  Tel: 01953 498915
  Website: www.fsb.org.uk (Opens new window)
  Email: ro.eastanglia@fsb.org.uk  
  
  The FSB is the largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms.
  
  
  Waveney Community Forum CVS
  Membership of the Waveney Community Forum CVS is open to all charities, voluntary organisations and community groups that operate in the Waveney area. They can offer a number of services on fundraising, charity law, project development and much more.
  
  12 Grove Road
  Lowestoft
  Suffolk
  NR32 1EB
  Tel: 01502 582201
  Website: www.waveneycf.org.uk (Opens new window)