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How to Start a Business in Warwickshire

Free start-up resources and useful local contacts.

Improve your chances of success!

How to Start a Business in Warwickshire

Starting a business in Warwickshire

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

Start Your Own Business in Warwickshire 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 Warwickshire

Local help for startups

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

Select classification:

If you are considering starting a business in Warwickshire, England, you've come to the right place.

This section provides valuable information and resources to help you navigate the process of starting and running a business in this diverse county.

Demographics

Warwickshire is a county located in the West Midlands region of England. Here are some key demographic insights:

  • Population: Approximately 570,000 people
  • Area: 1,975 square kilometers
  • Population density: 288 people per square kilometre
Major Towns and Cities

Warwickshire is home to several major towns and cities, each offering unique opportunities for businesses:

  • Warwick : A historic town famous for its medieval castle and picturesque streets. It has a thriving tourism industry and a vibrant retail sector. Population: Approximately 32,000.
  • Leamington Spa : Known for its elegant Regency architecture and beautiful parks, Leamington Spa is a popular destination for residents and visitors. The town boasts a diverse range of businesses, including tech startups and creative industries. Population: Approximately 55,000.
  • Stratford-upon-Avon : Birthplace of William Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon attracts millions of tourists each year. It has a strong arts and culture scene, as well as a thriving hospitality and retail sector. Population: Approximately 28,000.
  • Nuneaton : A town with a rich industrial heritage, Nuneaton is a hub for manufacturing and logistics businesses. It offers affordable commercial spaces and excellent transport links. Population: Approximately 87,000.
  • Rugby : Known as the birthplace of rugby football, Rugby is a market town with a diverse economy. It has a strong focus on innovation and technology, with a number of research and development facilities located in the area. Population: Approximately 73,000.
Local Authorities

Local authorities can help you understand the business landscape and provide access to useful resources. They are responsible for numerous business related subjects such as health & safety, planning, business rates, and often have a department dedicated to economic development.

Business Support Organisations

Warwickshire offers a range of business support organisations that can provide valuable guidance and resources. Here are some key organisations:

  • Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) : Works to drive economic growth, attract investments, and support businesses in the region.
  • Warwick Science Park : Provides office space, support, and networking opportunities for technology-based startups and innovative businesses.
  • Warwickshire Startups : A community-driven organisation that offers support, mentorship, and networking opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs in Warwickshire.
  • Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce : Offers business support, networking events, and lobbying activities to promote the interests of local businesses.
  • CW Growth Hub : Provides a range of services and resources to support businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire, including access to funding, training, and business advice.
Conclusion

Starting a business in Warwickshire offers numerous opportunities and benefits. The county's diverse economy, strategic location, and supportive business environment make it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and established companies alike. By leveraging the available resources and support from local authorities and business organisations, you can set a strong foundation for success. Whether you're starting a small enterprise or expanding an existing venture, Warwickshire provides a vibrant and conducive ecosystem to nurture and grow your business.

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 Warwickshire

Key Contacts in Warwickshire

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

Warwickshire 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.

Office Services

Elite PA Solutions
We are a team of Virtual Assistants who will save you time by taking care of the operational side of both your business and personal life. Based in Rugby in the West Midlands, our clients and team are dispersed throughout the UK. By delegating tasks to us, you will have the time you need to grow your business. Quite simply we will give you back time and with that the freedom to focus on your priorities, your goals and what you do best! You will be matched with a dedicated PA based on your brief to us and your PA will provide you with the day-to-day assistance you need. You can rely on us to manage your daily operations with as little handholding as possible. We understand your individual needs are important, so we like to take the time to learn as much about you, your business and your vision from the start. We are dedicated to empowering you to seize new opportunities. So, if you’re ready. Book a free 30-minute discovery call and we can get clear on the steps you need to implement to gain clarity and free up your time. There’s absolutely no need for you to do it alone!
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Web design

Creative Touch Design
Creative Touch is a full-service design agency, based in Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire. Whether you require branding, graphic design, print or digital, we work across the board, creating innovative, impactful ideas that meet the brief, on time and to budget. Since 1985, we have worked with clients in all sectors, creating, reinventing and refreshing brands to raise awareness, overcome challenges and help build business. With all services inhouse – including website creation, printing, signage, packaging solutions and fulfilment – our design agency is fully equipped to plan and deliver your marketing campaign in its entirety.
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Accountancy

Brookwood Accountants
Most people starting up in business in Leamington Spa and the surround areas do so because they have a good business proposition and the enterprise and commitment to see it through. Most however are not experts in the legal and financial aspects of running a business and such matters can appear daunting. Fortunately you do not need to be an expert in these fields to succeed in business, but you do need the support of a team of trained experts. We can help. Just bring us your business ideas and we will help you to make them a reality! We will help you to: * decide on the most suitable structure for your business - sole trader, partnership, limited liability partnership or limited company * prepare a business plan, cashflow projections, budgets, and trading forecasts * assess the finance requirements, advise on the best sources of finance and draw up the necessary proposals * establish a good working relationship with your bank * complete any registration procedures with Companies House and HMRC * deal with company secretarial issues * set up a recording system for your internal use and for complying with statutory requirements * decide on what computer hardware to buy and help with the installation of accountancy software * keep on top of bookkeeping, VAT, payroll and other accounting requirements and help with all aspects of business compliance and administration
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Advice

FSB (Federation of Small Businesses)
Federation of Small Businesses are experts in business. Formed in 1974, we are a non-profit making and non-political organisation whose member base (over 200,000) covers the length and breadth of the UK. Our sole aim is to help the self employed and small businesses achieve their ambitions. We realise this by offering our members a wide range of vital business services including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice in government, influencing the decisions that affect their businesses.
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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

Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce
We are here to help and, throughout an impressive history of over 110 years, we have worked with tens of thousands of businesses to help them start-up andor grow. Address: Chamber House, Innovation Village, Cheetah Road, Coventry, CV1 2TL
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Networking

FSB Warwickshire & Coventry
FSB Warwickshire & Coventry 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: Linsey Luke Development Manager linsey.luke@fsb.org.uk
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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