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How to Start a Business in Gloucestershire

Free start-up resources and useful local contacts.

Improve your chances of success!

How to Start a Business in Gloucestershire

Starting a business in Gloucestershire

If you are thinking about starting a business in Gloucestershire or would like to grow your existing business, we would love to help you.

Start Your Own Business in Gloucestershire contains resources and the information that will help give your venture the best chance of success. It also highlights organisations who offer friendly advice and the services that you are likely to need as a new startup or local business owner.

Grants | Networking groups | Business advice | Mentoring | Co-working spaces

Starting a business in Gloucestershire

Local help for startups

There is plenty of help for startups in Gloucestershire but where can it be found?

Select classification:

If you're considering starting a business or already running one in Gloucestershire, this section is designed to provide you with valuable information and resources to support your entrepreneurial journey.

Gloucestershire, located in the southwestern part of England, offers a diverse business landscape, stunning natural beauty, and a range of opportunities across various industries.

Demographics of Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire has a vibrant population. As of the latest available data, the estimated population of Gloucestershire is over 633,000 residents. The county is characterised by a mix of urban centers and picturesque rural areas, creating a diverse customer base and business prospects.

Major Towns and Cities in Gloucestershire

Click on name of each location to find local help and resources.

  • Gloucester: Gloucester is the county town of Gloucestershire, with a population of over 130,000 residents. It has a rich history and offers a mix of industries, including aerospace, engineering, creative industries, and digital technology. Gloucester is also known for its stunning cathedral and vibrant cultural scene.
  • Cheltenham: Cheltenham is a historic spa town in Gloucestershire, with a population of over 118,000 residents. It is renowned for its regency architecture, beautiful parks, and the world-famous Cheltenham Festival. Cheltenham is a hub for innovation and technology, with a strong presence of cybersecurity, software development, and financial services.
  • Tewkesbury: Tewkesbury is a picturesque market town situated at the confluence of the rivers Severn and Avon. It has a population of over 10,000 residents and is known for its medieval architecture, historical sites, and vibrant events. Tewkesbury offers opportunities in sectors such as tourism, hospitality, and small-scale manufacturing.
Local Authorities in Gloucestershire

Understanding the local authorities in Gloucestershire is essential for navigating regulatory requirements and accessing relevant services. Here are some key local authorities in Gloucestershire along with their website links:

  • Gloucestershire County Council : The official website of Gloucestershire County Council provides comprehensive information on local government services, business rates, planning permissions, and economic development initiatives. They offer guidance on starting a business, provide access to grants and funding opportunities, and support business growth in the county.
Business Support Organisations in Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire is home to several business support organisations dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and businesses thrive. Whether you need assistance with funding, mentoring, networking, or general guidance, these organisations can provide valuable resources. Here are a few notable business support organisations in Gloucestershire, along with their website links:

  • Gloucestershire Enterprise Ltd : Gloucestershire Enterprise Ltd is a non-profit organisation that supports startups and established businesses in the county. They offer expert advice, training programs, access to finance, and networking opportunities to foster business growth.
  • Growth Hub Gloucestershire : Growth Hub Gloucestershire provides a one-stop-shop for business support services in the county. They offer guidance on various aspects of starting and running a business, connect entrepreneurs with mentors, provide access to funding opportunities, and facilitate collaboration between businesses.
  • University of Gloucestershire Business School : The University of Gloucestershire Business School offers support and resources to entrepreneurs and businesses. They provide business incubation services, access to research and innovation, professional development programs, and consultancy services.

We hope this comprehensive guide serves as a valuable resource for starting or running a business in Gloucestershire. Exploring the websites of local authorities and business support organisations will provide you with further information, guidance, and assistance. Wishing you every success on your entrepreneurial journey in Gloucestershire!

Local partners

We are happy to promote anyone who is prepared to offer friendly support to local start-ups.

Our local partners have been kind enough to help us and are keen to help you too.

Free Startup Resources

Getting it right from the start can help to prevent problems later.

To help you with this we have created a vast selection of resources and they are all completely free!

FREE startup workshops

If you are thinking about starting a business, our FREE three-hour ONLINE workshop is definitely for you!

Open to everyone, our sole aim is to increase your chances of success. We do that by explaining:

The reality of running a business; the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them; which legal status is likely to be most suitable; funding, grants and managing your money; business planning and cashflow forecasting; finding and keeping customers.

Latest articles

You don't know what you don't know!

The prospect of starting a new business can be incredibly exciting but should be approached with care. You have probably heard scary stories about how many start-ups fail in the early stages. You can make sure that you are not one of them by learning as much as possible before you launch. Over the years, we have collected lots of articles which will show you what has worked well for other start-ups and the putfalls to avoid.

Free Startup Guide

Start Your Own Business in 2021

Download the 2024 edition of our Free Start Your Own Business guide

An interactive step-by-step guide which also includes all of the most important subjects covered in an easy-to-read way with links to useful online articles and relevant contacts.

The idea of starting your own business can be incredibly exciting and who can blame you for being tempted?

However, the sad truth is that far too many new enterprises fail in the early stages. Our aim is to make sure that you don't become one of them.

This guide explains the key start-up subjects in simple English.

There is also plenty of help available in the area and much of it is free - please do make the most of it.

Read more about what our Free guide contains and how you can download it.
Starting a business in Gloucestershire

Key Contacts in Gloucestershire

'You don't know what you don't know' is a phrase that is so applicable to starting a new business.

Gloucestershire is a great place for start-ups but your chances of success are dramatically improved if you make the most of the support that is available locally. Click on logos to visit their websites.

Advice

Start and Grow Enterprise (SaGE)
Whether you have a big idea to get off the ground, an existing business which is facing some new hurdles, or youve decided its finally time to be your own boss; you are now part of the self-employment revolution.The roads going to be rocky, but journeys are always easier with the right people around you. Every entrepreneur, freelancer and small business owner goes through the same set of challenges, and since 2017 weve helped over 700 of them to come out on top. All of our training, courses, advice and resources are free of charge. Start and Grow Enterprise is devoted to helping Gloucestershire continue its reputation of self-starting innovation and invention, by making it easy to get the right support.
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Accountancy

MCH Financial Solutions Ltd
I am an approachable down to earth qualified ACCA accountant. I am able to provide all kinds of Bookkeeping and Accountancy services including management accounts, payroll, financial accounts, VAT and corporation tax returns, as well as being able to advise on start ups, cashflow, tax, inventory mangement, costing, cost reduction and business planning or exits. I am married and love to spend time with family, walking my dogs and watching sport. predominantly Gloucester Rugby, Derby County Football and Formula 1. Give me a call for a chat about any requirements you may have.
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Accountancy

Blenheim, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers
Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers for small & medium size enterprises Blenheim provides a fresh approach to accounting and finance for small and medium size enterprises in Bristol and the South West. We paint a clear picture of your finance, highlight opportunities, and give you the assurance you need to make the best business and organisational decisions. Regardless of the size of your business, or whatever stage you are at, our Virtual Finance Team can provide you with an economical way to tap into the skills of a highly experienced Virtual FD and a full range of Accounting services With Blenheim Accountants and Business Advisers on your side, you can focus on what you do best - managing your business for growth. So call us today for a no-obligation discussion about what Blenheim can achieve for your organisation.
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Online Marketing

Enterprise Online Marketing Solutions
In todays connected world Digital Marketing and the World Wide Web forms an essential part of business marketing. You need to be easy to find in all the places that your existing and potential customers are likely to visit and make sure that you are professionally representing your business. You want more sales, more leads, phone calls and enquiries, more newsletter subscriptions andor more downloads! To achieve these ambitions, you need an effective website, effective Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) to make sure that you appear in Google, Bing and Yahoo search results as well as an active presence on all the Social Media sites that your clients are likely to be using Using a range of affordable and effective Digital Marketing I can ensure that your business is easy to find by your customers.
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Networking

The Lonely Middle Club - From Startup Hive
Starting a business is exciting, and succeeding is rewarding, but what about the bit between? You know, that bit that’s full of self-doubt, endless repetition and feelings of being out of your comfort zone? We call it ‘The Lonely Middle’ and it’s one of the hardest parts of creating a successful business. We know, we’ve been there. So, we created The Lonely Middle Club to help you through it. Each month you get exclusive content to help give you the knowledge and inspiration to succeed. Plus, you get access to a private members-only Facebook group where you can get advice and network with small business owners who are going through similar challenges to you. If you want even more, you can download our 51 worksheets, guides, and journals all designed to do one thing, and one thing only… help you get through ‘The Lonely Middle’ and achieve your business goals. Visit our website today to join the club and benefit from our members price lock and full no questions asked money-back guarantee.
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Networking

FSB Gloucestershire & West of England
FSB Gloucestershire & West of England is the local branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). It was formed in 1974 as the National Federation of Self Employed and represents the interests of small and medium-sized businesses locally and nationally. They offer a great package tailored to your needs if you are thinking about starting a business in the area. Contact: Sam Holliday Development Manager Sam.Holliday@fsb.org.uk
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Advice

CMC Partnership
We are a firm of business advisers who specialise in helping you, as a business owner-manager, to plan and prepare for every stage of your businesss life cycle, from its start up and early growth to your eventual exit.
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Design

PRH Design
BIG AGENCY THINKING, SMALL AGENCY COST Would you like to increase the visibility of your company? Would you like some great creative and compelling marketing material? Could you work with skillful designers who can create and produce powerful, brand building messages without breaking the bank?
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Start-up articles

100's of free startup articles

We have created a collection of 100s of startup articles to help anyone with whatever stage they are on with their business journey. Hundreds of thousands of people have gone before you and we can learn from what they got right and avoid the things that have been proved not to work so well.

You can see the full list of 'articles' at: How to start a business