Start and grow your own business

Start a business

Starting a business or becoming self-employed can be an exciting and rewarding experience. However, it can also be risky and challenging. Those who research their business idea and seek support are more likely to survive and grow.

Entrepreneurs looking to take the leap into starting a business can receive support from E-Factor. Information and guidance are available including: ‘Be Your Own’ Boss Workshops, and the Business Start-Up Academy, alongside new business advice and guidance.

If you’re inspired to start your own business in North East Lincolnshire, tap into these resources to help you on the path to success.

Grow your business

North East Lincolnshire is a great location for businesses of all sizes and types. Find out why at Invest North East Lincolnshire .

There are a number of initiatives and support programmes available to help you expand your business, ranging from financial support to expert advice.

The Economic Development Team for North East Lincolnshire Council supports businesses and provides assistance with the following services:

Commercial property, premises and land search service
Access to information on grants, funding and finance
Helping with workforce recruitment and skills development
Providing familiarisation tours to help you make the most of North East Lincolnshire’s offer – organise a fact-finding visit
Working as a strategic partner and consultant with your project team
Help to manage the relationship between businesses and council departments e.g. planning, environmental considerations and access to initiatives and grants
Providing local market intelligence through up-to-date information.
Business relocation and market information
Listings of relevant local suppliers

Business support

In addition to the support available from the Economic Development Team at North East Lincolnshire Council, there are some great associated organisations offering business support in North East Lincolnshire:

If you are experiencing or planning for growth in your business and are in the North East Lincolnshire area or are considering starting up or relocating to the region, then the Investment Hub can help you by directing you to suitable sources of finance, funding and business support services.

Investment Hub NEL is a FREE and impartial signposting service, supported by North East Lincolnshire Council, who work with North East Lincolnshire based businesses of any size or sector. The Hub can make valuable introductions to introduce you to the right lenders, funders, support networks and other contacts.

With over 66 years of banking experience between Sarah and Ian, the team bring a plethora of business knowledge, acumen and experience to the business arena. This means that they can help any size business in any sector with both practical advice and solutions. This together with extensive local contacts and signposting experience enables them to provide a full and extensive solution to clients. As well as signposting to solutions, Investment Hub can also identify other local businesses where they think mutual benefits exist.

For enquiries, please email [email protected]

Businesses operating in North East Lincolnshire can benefit from a range of business support offerings, delivered by the Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub. Available support includes:

Information Diagnostic and Brokerage Service
Shared access to the specialist adviser pool. Specialist Advisers include:
- Manufacturing
- Retail, Leisure & Hospitality / Visitor Economy
- Carbon Reduction
- Digitalisation
- Agriculture and Horticulture
Shared access to a comprehensive virtual workshop/events programme
Shared access to specialist support programmes which include:
- Social Economy Support – through Greater Lincolnshire Social Economy Academy (GLSEA)
- Retail, Leisure and Hospitality / Visitor Economy Programme
- Carbon Reduction Support Programme
- Manufacturing Support Programme
- Next Level High Growth Scale Up Programme
Managed referrals through to other sources of Local and National Support such as – Made Smarter, Create Growth, Education and Training Providers, National Government support such as Innovation, Exporting and High Growth
Ongoing coordinated marketing and PR activity & website functionality

JobCentre Plus has a range of recruitment services that can help you as an employer including the opportunity to trial potential recruits, offer work experience and access potential wage incentives.

The Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce is focused on growing your business and building the economy. The Chamber has around 2000 members and affiliates representing all types of businesses in the Humber region, which includes North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire. They represent a more diverse cross-section of companies than any other business organisation, including a high proportion of the region’s largest companies.

Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce offers support for your business, whether that means making your voice heard with local and national government, connecting you with like-minded businesses at events, exploring new business opportunities, shouting about your achievements via their website and social media, lobbying for better trading conditions or providing business advice, services and skill development.

The purpose of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP is to drive economic growth and to be the voice of the local business community, ensuring that the economic interests of the area are properly represented.

Skills, jobs, training and recruitment

We are committed to the development and growth of our local economy and in supporting employers to recruit, retain and develop their workforce.

August 2023, North East Lincolnshire Council approves Skills Acton Plan for North East Lincolnshire. The Plan, which identifies some of the key challenges facing people in our area, looks to identify and take advantage of opportunities to improve the awareness of high-skilled careers and the educational attainment of adults.

If you would like to discuss your companies workforce requirements and challenges or to learn more about the skills and training provision in the region, please contact Amy Gresham –[email protected].

Support from your local Jobcentre Plus

Jobcentre Plus (JCP) provides free and efficient services that effectively fill vacancies with well-prepared and motivated employees.

Grimsby JCP can help employers:

Register on GOV.UK to advertise vacancies on the internet
Take advantage of recruitment grants to help your business grow
With sifting applications, interviewing and testing – they can even fund their candidates through a trial, so employers can thoroughly assess their skills cost-free
By preparing JCP candidates by arranging training, utilising our close relationship with a large network of training providers
By providing advice and support to staff being made redundant
By providing impartial advice on HR services