Helping businesses identify their need

The Business East Sussex Growth Hub has expert navigators who will help businesses pinpoint and identify what support they need, be it on key issues such as business finance, networking, business support activities or events.

For those who are thinking of starting up their own business as well as established companies that are planning to expand, the navigators will guide them towards the most relevant support to help them achieve their goals.

The service is part of a national initiative to set-up growth hubs that simplify access to business support by providing a single point of contact to help business access advice and other help from various local and national organisations.

Business East Sussex has close working relations with influential business support organisations and local authorities.

Business East Sussex offer a dedicated telephone and face to face service that supplements online information at www.businesseastsussex.org.uk.

Business East Sussex is run by the Let’s Do Business Group (LDBG).

Ian Smallwood, Head of Business Support at LDBG, said: “The Business East Sussex Growth Hub joins together the range of resources and services available to businesses in the county through a single access point.

“We’re here to give companies the support they need to succeed from finding the right finance to networking events which are so crucial to business growth.”

In addition, small businesses in Eastbourne and Wealden can apply for loans of between £5,000 and £15,000 for a term of up to five years. Companies with 10 employees or fewer are eligible to apply.

The Wealden and Eastbourne Small Business Loan Scheme is administered by the LDBG with support from Edeal business consultancy, Wealden District Council and Eastbourne Borough Council.

The loans are aimed at providing a financial boost to help small businesses in the area grow and thrive, particularly if problems accessing finance from high street lenders are slowing down a company’s expansion plans.

Loans can be used for cash flow, stock, marketing and advertising, equipment or vehicles.

The Business East Sussex team can be contacted on 0845 601 8326 and [email protected]. Visit www.businesseastsussex.org.uk and follow @BizESussex.

For more information about the Wealden and Eastbourne Small Business Loan Scheme phone 0845 601 8326, [email protected] or visit www.letsdobusinessgroup.co.uk