Banner image

How to Start a Business in Yorkshire

Free start-up resources and useful local contacts.

Improve your chances of success!

How to Start a Business in Yorkshire

Starting a business in Yorkshire

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

Start Your Own Business in Yorkshire 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 Yorkshire

Local help for startups

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

Select classification:

If you're considering starting a business in Yorkshire, England, you're choosing a region known for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant business community.

Located in the North of England, Yorkshire offers a diverse economy, supportive infrastructure, and access to a skilled workforce, making it an ideal location for entrepreneurs and business owners.

Demographics
  • Yorkshire has a population of approximately 5.4 million people, making it the largest county in the United Kingdom.
  • The region is known for its cultural diversity, with a mix of urban areas, rural communities, and picturesque countryside.
Major Towns and Cities
  • Leeds : As the largest city in Yorkshire, Leeds is a vibrant hub for business, finance, and digital innovation.
  • Sheffield : Known for its manufacturing heritage and world-class universities, Sheffield offers opportunities in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, technology, and healthcare.
  • Bradford : With a rich history in textiles and manufacturing, Bradford has evolved into a diverse economy with strengths in sectors such as finance, digital, and creative industries.
  • York : Famous for its historical significance and tourism, York is a thriving city with a strong retail sector, hospitality industry, and creative businesses.
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.

  • West Yorkshire Combined Authority : Provides strategic leadership, economic development, and support for businesses across West Yorkshire.
  • Leeds City Council : Offers business support services, licensing, and information on local initiatives to help businesses thrive in Leeds.
  • Sheffield City Council : Provides resources and assistance to businesses in Sheffield, including advice on funding, planning, and economic development opportunities.
  • Bradford Council : Supports businesses in Bradford through initiatives, networking events, and access to funding and grants.
Business Support Organisations
Conclusion

Yorkshire, England, presents a dynamic and promising environment for aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners. With its diverse population, thriving cities, and the support of local authorities and business organiations, the county offers a range of opportunities for success. Whether you're looking to tap into the region's strengths in finance, manufacturing, technology, or creative industries, Yorkshire provides a supportive ecosystem for business growth and development. Leverage the resources, networking platforms, and funding opportunities available to turn your entrepreneurial vision into a reality in the beautiful county of Yorkshire.

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 Yorkshire

Key Contacts in Yorkshire

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

Yorkshire 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.

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.
(+)

Networking

Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce
We help your business to get connected, get supported and have your say. If youre interested in joining, you can find out more about the benefits of joining us, discover what our members say about us or read some case studies. Address: New Commerce House, 168 Westgate, Wakefield, WF2 9SR
(+)

Advice

Yorkshire Coast Enterprise Limited
a non-profit making organisation dedicated to the growth and posperity of local business. Our function is to help local business start and existing business grow and prosper. If you are sttarting in Business - contact us for a free, impartial and confidential chat. Topics that may be covered: raising finance, grants, taxation, NI Contributions, Business Plans, cash-flow, book-keeping, VAT, renting property etc.
(+)

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