Information, support and advice

  • Enterprise M3 Brexit Clinic at Winchester Guildhall

    The Enterprise M3 Brexit Clinic at Winchester Guildhall on Thursday 21st March is now open for registrations on the Enterprise M3 Growth Hub website at https://enterprisem3growthhub.co.uk/events.

  • Business support service for Winchester businesses

    Winchester City Council has worked with Enterprise First to introduce a business support service for businesses located in the Winchester District. The service provides one to one business advice, training, networking and mentoring.

    The business support service offers help with writing business plans, securing funding or advice regarding expansion. Funded by Winchester City Council, the free service aims to remove the barriers that stop people from starting and growing a business in the District.

    Networking
    Businesses who are keen to meet with like minded business owners to share and support the local area are invited to come along to the informal networking. The events are held every month and are free to attend although businesses will need to purchase their own drinks and food, as required.

    The next Winchester Informal Networking event is on Thursday 21 February 2019 at 9am. It will be held at Cafe Winchester, 28-29 Saint Thomas Street, Winchester SO23 9HJ. To register your attendance please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/win-cafe-winchester-informal-networking.

    The dates thereafter will be on the following Thursdays: 21 March, 18 April, 16 May and 20 June.

    For further information, please call Julie on 07867 357930 or email julie.easterbrook@enterprisefirst.co.uk

    Training

    Future-Proofing Your Business
    Date: Wednesday 6 February 2019
    Time: 10am – 1pm
    Location: No.5 Bridge Street, Winchester

    The world of business is moving at a phenomenal pace, particularly online.

    Varsha Amin has worked in the forefront of modern technology with some of the most innovative blue chip companies but now runs her own business advising others on how they can 'future proof' their business.

    Join her for a fascinating glimpse into the future and prepare your own business for what is likely to be needed in 2019 and beyond.

    Getting to Grips with Social Media Marketing
    Date:     Friday 8 March 2019
    Time: 10am – 1pm
    Location: Alresford

    How to Get More Done in Your Day
    Date: Friday 5 April 2019
    Time: 10am – 1pm
    Location: No.5 Bridge Street, Winchester

    Take charge of your day and respond productively to changing priorities. Reduce stress and improve efficiency. This course is valuable for anyone who feels they need to manage distractions, prioritise, respond to changing priorities, work more productively & efficiently and react assertively when others place demands on their time.

    Bookkeeping and Tax for the Busy Business Owner
    Date:     Friday 3 May 2019
    Time: 11am – 2pm
    Location: Jubilee Hall, Bishops Waltham SO32 1ED

    • Always been slightly nervous of how to keep accounts?
    • Want to learn how to keep clear records for your Tax Returns?
    • Want a better financial understanding of your business?

    If you’re answered YES to some or all these questions then this is the workshop for you.

    With a friendly and hands-on approach, this workshop aims to guide your through the following topics to help you to have a clearer understanding on how to manage your accounts.

    Blogging Masterclass
    Date: Friday 7 June 2019
    Time: 10am – 1pm
    Location: No.5 Bridge Street, Winchester

    In this Blogging Masterclass from ByTheWay Creative, you'll learn how to:

    • Generate a bank of content ideas
    • Produce engaging long form content
    • Repurpose your content for social media
    • Write copy that converts

    Marketing on a Shoestring
    Date: Friday 28 June 2019
    Time: 10am – 1pm
    Location: No.5 Bridge Street, Winchester

    All of the above workshops can be booked by visiting: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/enterprise-first-17080738028, emailing info@enterprisefirst.co.uk or phoning 01252 319 272.

    Enterprise First is putting together a training schedule and is interested in hearing from businesses about their training needs, contact Andy Pringle, Business Development Manager at Enterprise First, at andy.pringle@enterprisefirst.co.uk to give your suggestions.

    One to one business support
    Appointments for one to one business advice can be made by contacting Enterprise First on 01252 319 272 or emailing info@enterprisefirst.co.uk. 

  • Enterprise M3 Growth Hub

    The Enterprise M3 Growth Hub provides free, expert advice and a resource network for new and existing businesses including signposting to a range of business services, information on starting and growing your business and access to a Business Support Helpline.

  • Solent Growth Hub

    If your business is located in the south of the Winchester District you may be eligible for help from the Solent Growth Hub, a ‘One Stop Shop' that helps business navigate its way through the complexity of growth initiatives, and promotes growth opportunities to help unlock business finance options.

    The Business Growth Helpline offers businesses access to free help, expert advice and specialist services:

    • Signposting by phone or in person to address your business growth needs
    • Referrals to local and national schemes supporting business growth
    • Growth Audits and expert growth advice to assess growth options and unlock finance
    • Connecting to B2B support groups and organisations
    • Visit www.solentgrowthhub.co.uk or call 01329 820 898 for more information
  • Hampshire Chamber of Commerce 

    The Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is a membership organisation, owned and managed by local businesses whose goal it is to protect and promote business interests. They help to make businesses become more successful by providing networking opportunities, business support and advice.

    To speak to someone directly, call  01329 242 420 or email info@hampshirechamber.co.uk

  • Broadband

    Hampshire County Council (HCC) and Winchester City Council (WCC) are working together to ensure that as many residents and businesses as possible have access to superfast broadband.

    Wave 2 of Hampshire County Council’s Superfast Broadband project will involve upgrading 550 roadside broadband cabinets, by September 2018, connecting an additional 34,000 premises across the county. This will make Superfast Broadband available to 96% of premises in Hampshire. 

    Broadband cabinets have been updated in some postcodes in the following areas across the Winchester District. For a full list of cabinets and postcodes that have recently been upgraded visit: www.hampshiresuperfastbroadband.com/about-the-project/live-cabinets/. 

    The two councils also want to ensure that people are registered on the Hampshire Superfast Broadband website, www.hampshiresuperfastbroadband.com. This is so that Hampshire County Council can keep them updated with project announcements regarding additional funding and upgrades to cabinets. 

    To find out when Superfast Broadband is coming to your area or to join the campaign visit: www.hampshiresuperfastbroadband.com

  • Sparsholt Business Training

    Sparsholt College provides training to business, industry and employers, offering professional accreditation courses as well as one-day workshops and training courses.

    SMEs who don't have enough staff to warrant a specialist course can benefit from workshops and courses with individuals from different sectors and industries, where they can share ideas and best practice with colleagues and bring that back to the workplace. For larger groups, courses can also be run in the workplace.

    Professional qualifications are delivered in small groups by experienced trainers, working to industry body accreditation standards, which are externally verified for quality assurance. A wide range of courses cover a variety of industries.

    To find out more and view the current training calendar go to www.sparsholt.ac.uk/employers/

  • Hampshire School for Social Entrepreneurs

    Social enterprise means generating your own income through selling your services and or expertise. The income derived is reinvested in your charitable or social purposes. Action Hampshire gives information and support to social enterprises and also run the Hampshire School for Social Entrepreneurs.

    Action Hampshire understand that the business development needs of social entrepreneurs are very similar to those of private entrepreneurs but there are also key differences such as legal structures available.

    For further information, please contact Action Hampshire.

  • Network with Confidence

    Face to face networking is one of the most productive ways of developing new business relationships and turning them into high quality leads to drive business growth and return on investment.

    Many people may be competent using social media but do not have the face to face skills and confidence to network effectively at business events.

    Enterprise M3 Growth Hub can help you grow your business and return on investment through effective business networking.

  • South Hampshire PA Network

    South Hampshire PA Network is a network of Personal Assistants, Executive Assistants, Virtual Assistants and Office Managers from all sectors who work in the southern half of Hampshire. Informal events are held 4-5 times a year, and members stay connected through social media.

    You can find out more information from the document available to download in the column on the right.

  • The Entrepreneur Handbook

    The Entrepreneur Handbook is a UK information website providing expert advice and guides on every aspect of starting and growing a business including sales, finance, marketing and much more.

    Go to the website for more information: http://entrepreneurhandbook.co.uk/

  • The GREAT Way to Grow

    The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has launched a guide for small businesses with advice from other SME's.
     
    The Guide compiles a selection of invaluable pieces of business advice, hints and tips from 34 hand-picked remarkable small British businesses and top entrepreneurs who each reveal handy hints which they believe are pivotal to their success.

    Click here for more information. 

  • Funding Circle

    A peer-to-business lending platform connecting businesses and investors, where businesses get fast business loans and investors earn great returns on their investments. Funding Circle has funded over £570m in business loans so far.

    For more information you can visit their website

  • Starting a business?
  • Need to find a business?

    For local Trading Standards approved traders, go to the Buy With Confidence web pages available in the column on the right.

    The local branch of the Hampshire Chambers of Commerce holds a member directory.

  • Armed Forces Community Covenant

    Winchester City Council has signed an Armed Forces Community Covenant for the Winchester District. We want to encourage all our local businesses and employers to consider how they can help our armed forces in their local area.

    For more information go to www.defenceprivilegecard.co.uk

    Call 01509 233 446 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) and a member of the Defence Discount Service Team will assist. 

  • Business Fire Safety

    Does your business comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005? Are you aware of your responsibilities as a business owner?

    For more information visit Hantsfire's webpage or email csprotection.admin@hantsfire.gov.uk

    You can also find out more information from the document available to download in the column on the right.