Getting the right business help and advice

Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Services
Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Services (NWES) is an award winning registered enterprise agency offering a variety of advisory services, start-up programmes, training and development courses for those in business, or wishing to be in business. It can also provide a range of managed workspaces to rent from office to industrial units as well as enterprise loans. Call 0845 6099991.                     

Prince's Trust

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

Menta                                                                                                    

Provides free, impartial one to one advice and support for start up, emerging and existing businesses as well as those considering self employment.  

Jobcentre Plus

Jobcentre Plus provides a wide range of information and services on benefit entitlement, loans and grants and offer help with finding a job. There are local offices located in Beccles and Lowestoft.

New Anglia Business Information Portal                                                         

Developed for Suffolk and Norfolk companies, the business portal brings together local and national business support information into one place.

ERWIN - Everything Regulation, Whenever It's Needed                               

This is a one-stop website offering advice and guidance for many retail based businesses on issues relating to Trading Standards, Environmental Health, Licensing and Fire Safety.

HM Revenue & Customs
The advice team at HM Revenue & Customs offer a range of free services to help businesses understand tax, national insurance and VAT responsibilities.  Their interactive Tax Widget gives quick, easy to use advice on everything you need to know about tax when becoming self-employed.  They also have a FREE e-learning tool that advises on the tax and National Insurance issues involved in starting your own business.

Business Associations:

Did you know that many of Waveney's towns and commercial areas have designated business associations?  They are able to support their members through a variety of ways including networking events, regular meetings and promotional activities, amongst many others.  They include:

• Beccles Business Association
• Bungay Chamber of Trade
• Halesworth Business Connections
• Kirkley Business Association
• Southwold & District Chamber of Trade & Commerce
• Lowestoft and Waveney Chamber of Commerce
• Federation of Small Businesses - Great Yarmouth and Waveney branch

There is also the Waveney Business Forum which brings together representatives from each of the organisations above.  Supported by the Council's Economic Regeneration team, the Forum provides a collective and strong voice for the business communities of Waveney on a range of local and national issues.