Help for Business

The cost of living crisis has affected much of the country, with increasing bills and rising prices. East Riding Council has acknowledged this, providing a Help for Households scheme across the region. However, it’s not just homes that are struggling: costs are rising for businesses too.

The council’s Help for Business scheme provides invaluable support, guidance, and a range of services to allow businesses in the area to thrive. Alongside the government, support includes the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, which will run until 31 March 2023. This scheme aims to help businesses, charities and public sector organisations with their winter energy bills and is automatically applied to the bills of those that are eligible. There are also resources to help you understand your energy bills and become more energy efficient.

Invest East Riding offer a comprehensive range of services for start-up and established businesses, ensuring that you gain access to the support and services relevant to your business needs. This can range from 1-2-1 support and workshops to renting a space in one of our business centres. Business advisors will work with you to determine your business needs and how best they can help.

There is also a range of financial support that you can access. Local, national, and international funding schemes are available, including the ICT New Business Start-Up Grant, which is worth £1000 towards your ICT business growth, and our Love Your High Street initiative, offering a grant of up to

£10,000 per applicant. The type of funding, eligibility criteria and the amount you may be able to receive will differ from scheme to scheme, so our business support team will help to navigate you through the process.

Online guides are also available from Invest East Yorkshire, and cover areas like wellbeing in the workplace and doing business with the council. The Retail Sector Guide offers you tips and tricks on how to market your business through social media, kerb appeal and more. These resources are completely free and can be found at https://investeastyorkshire.co.uk/ guides/.

East Riding Libraries have Business & Intellectual Property Centres, in partnership with the British Library. These centres provide specialist business information and resources on how to start, grow and protect your business. Resources include 1-2-1s with friendly staff, free or low-cost workshops, webinars, and events on subjects like book-keeping, intellectual property and market research. Our BIPCs are located at our Beverley, Goole and Bridlington Central libraries.

For more information, visit eastriding.gov.uk/helpforbusiness or contact the Invest East Yorkshire team at www.investeastyorkshire.co.uk