SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESS
Business Advice Clinics
A series of business advice clinics are set to take place in Horsham as a partnership programme between Horsham District Council and Business Link. The clinics are aimed at businesses within the Horsham District of any size, from any sector that have been trading for more than two years.
The clinics are designed to enable businesses to access support on their doorsteps and to provide them with an opportunity to have a face to face meeting with an independent expert to discuss key business issues and concerns. Any subject matter may be covered including finance, sales and marketing, staffing, operations and regulatory requirements.
The clinics will be taking place in Horsham on the first Monday of every month throughout 2008 Sessions last for one hour.
For further information and to book your session, call Business Link on 0845 600 9 006.
Home-Based Business Research
Pioneering research was carried out by Horsham District Council in October 2002 to determine the size, needs and issues of businesses operating from homes in the Horsham District and how best the Council could support this sector and encourage growth. Results from that estimated that there are in the region of 15% out of the total of 53,000 households.
An overwhelming majority of respondents said they would like to attend events that would enable them to update their business and work skills, obtain updates on government legislation and network or trade with other businesses. It was as a result of this research that Horsham District Council organised the very first Microbiz event, held in March 2003 and will be entering its 7th year on 14 March 2009.
The home-based business research has recently been repeated using a larger sample to determine how numbers and needs may have changed over the past few years. An analysis of the results will be undertaken in due course.
Microbiz 2003 to 2008
Horsham District Council was the originator of the first MicroBiz Fair in 2003. This annual networking event is aimed at small and home based business and anyone thinking of starting a business. The next Microbiz event will take place on Saturday 14 March 2009. Look out for further details of the event on the main MicroBiz pages.
The Horsham and District Food and Drink Festival
Horsham District Council organised the first Food and Drink Festival in 2003, primarily to raise awareness and promote local food and drink through local producers and outlets. The 2008 Festival will run from 6 September to 5 October. Why not view further details about the festival on the main Food and Drink Festival page.
Horsham District Business Directory
The Horsham District Business Directory is one of the best sources of information about local companies in the District. The District Council publishes the directory bi-annually to raise awareness of companies locally, provide businesses with a marketing tool and enable inter-trading within the District. A new directory is currently being produced and is expected to be available from September 2008. For further information view the main Business Directory page.
Provision of a Business Information & Signposting service
We are a very small business development section, and whilst we are not directly involved in the provision of many of the services or information you may need – if you do have a query, we are happy to help and can usually connect you with the appropriate specialist help you need.