Find Business Grants
Banner image

How to Start a Business in Coventry

Free start-up resources and useful local contacts.

Improve your chances of success!

How to Start a Business in Coventry

Starting a business in Coventry

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

Start Your Own Business in Coventry 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 Coventry

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!

If you're considering starting a business or expanding your existing venture in Coventry, you've come to the right place.

Coventry, located in the West Midlands region, is a vibrant city known for its rich history, diverse culture, and thriving business community.

Demographics

Coventry is home to a population of approximately 370,000 residents (as of 2021). The city's demographics reflect a mix of ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds, providing a diverse consumer base for businesses. This diversity creates a fertile ground for entrepreneurial ventures in various industries.

Major Suburbs

Coventry encompasses several major suburbs, each offering unique opportunities for businesses. Here are some notable suburbs:

  • Earlsdon: Located southwest of the city center, Earlsdon is a popular residential area known for its independent shops, cafes, and restaurants.
  • Hillfields: Situated east of the city center, Hillfields is a vibrant and diverse neighborhood with a mix of residential and commercial areas. It is known for its multicultural atmosphere and local markets.
  • Kenilworth: Just south of Coventry, Kenilworth is a historic town with a thriving tourism industry. It offers opportunities for businesses in hospitality, leisure, and retail sectors.
Local Authority

Coventry City Council is the local authority responsible for governing and supporting businesses in the city. Their website provides essential resources and information for businesses, including licensing, planning, and economic development initiatives. You can access the business section of their website for specific guidance and support:

Coventry City Council - Business

Business Support Organisations

Coventry offers a range of organisations that provide support and resources for entrepreneurs and businesses. Here are some notable organisations you can turn to for assistance:

  • Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce: The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce supports businesses in the region through networking events, business advice, and advocacy. Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce
  • Coventry University Enterprises Ltd: Coventry University Enterprises Ltd offers business support, mentoring, and access to funding for startups and small businesses. Coventry University Enterprises Ltd
  • Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust: The Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust provides financial assistance and business support to enterprises in the region. Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust

These organisations are dedicated to supporting businesses in Coventry, offering valuable resources, guidance, and networking opportunities to help your business thrive.

Within this comprehensive guide, we will explore various aspects of starting and running a business in Coventry. From understanding local regulations and licensing requirements to tapping into the vibrant business community, we will provide you with the knowledge and tools necessary to embark on your entrepreneurial journey in Coventry, England.

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.

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 Coventry

Key Contacts in Coventry

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

Coventry 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.

Accountancy

Platform Accounting
Platform Accounting thrives on giving friendly, professional advice without forsaking personality. We specialise in limited company accounting so we know its important for your bookkeeping, payroll, VAT and end of year accounts to run smoothly, be accessible and make sense. We ensure that happens every step of the way. We use award winning accounting software to collaborate with you and keep your information safe and secure. Plus we offer a bespoke service; youll chat to a human whenever you need advice. Advice is free for every client throughout the year and youll never pay for services that you dont need. Our start up services include free company formation, a free directors tax return and unlimited advice whilst you get on your feet.
(+)

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!
(+)

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.
(+)

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
(+)

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.
(+)

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.
(+)

Advice

Coventry & Warwickshire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership)
The role of Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) has grown and strengthened continuously since its inception in 2011.
(+)

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
(+)

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
(+)

Advice

University of Warwick Science Park Ltd
UWSP has a complete offer for high growth prestarts and start ups named IGNITE which includes free marketing, mentoring, financial advice and office space.
(+)

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