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How to Start a Business in Herefordshire

Free start-up resources and useful local contacts.

Improve your chances of success!

How to Start a Business in Herefordshire

Starting a business in Herefordshire

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

Start Your Own Business in Herefordshire 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 Herefordshire

Local help for startups

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

Select classification:

If you're considering starting a business or already running one in Herefordshire, this section is designed to provide you with valuable information and resources to support your entrepreneurial journey.

Herefordshire offers a unique blend of rural beauty, historic charm, and thriving business opportunities.

Demographics of Herefordshire

Herefordshire has a diverse and vibrant population. As of the latest available data, the estimated population of Herefordshire is over 190,000 residents. The county is known for its picturesque countryside, agricultural heritage, and strong sense of community, providing a unique customer base and business prospects.

Major Towns and Cities in Herefordshire

Click on name of each location to find local help and resources.

  • Hereford: Hereford is the county town of Herefordshire, with a population of over 58,000 residents. It is known for its historic cathedral, charming architecture, and bustling markets. Hereford offers opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, food and drink, creative industries, and tourism.
  • Leominster: Leominster is a market town in Herefordshire, with a population of over 11,000 residents. It is famous for its medieval streets, antique shops, and historic buildings. Leominster offers a range of business opportunities in sectors such as retail, hospitality, and tourism.
  • Ross-on-Wye: Ross-on-Wye is a small market town in Herefordshire, with a population of over 10,000 residents. It is situated on the banks of the River Wye and is known for its stunning scenery, independent shops, and outdoor activities. Ross-on-Wye presents opportunities in sectors such as tourism, outdoor recreation, and artisanal crafts.
Local Authorities in Herefordshire

Understanding the local authorities in Herefordshire is essential for navigating regulatory requirements and accessing relevant services. Here are some key local authorities in Herefordshire along with their website links:

  • Herefordshire Council : The official website of Herefordshire Council provides comprehensive information on local government services, planning permissions, business rates, and economic development initiatives. They offer guidance on starting a business, provide access to grants and funding opportunities, and support business growth in the county.
  • Hereford Business Improvement District (BID) : Hereford BID is an organisation dedicated to promoting and supporting businesses in Hereford. Their website offers resources, events, and networking opportunities to help businesses thrive and contribute to the local economy.
  • Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce : The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce provides a range of services to support businesses in the region. They offer networking events, business advice, training programs, and access to funding opportunities.
Business Support Organisations in Herefordshire

Several organisations in Herefordshire are dedicated to providing support and resources for businesses. These organisations can assist you at various stages of your entrepreneurial journey. Here are some key business support organisations in Herefordshire:

  • Marches Growth Hub - Herefordshire : The Marches Growth Hub offers support and advice to businesses in Herefordshire, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. They provide guidance on starting a business, access to finance, networking opportunities, and connections to other business support services.
  • Hereford Means Business : Hereford Means Business is an initiative that aims to promote and support business growth in Herefordshire. They offer business events, training programs, funding advice, and access to resources to help businesses succeed.
  • Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce : The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce provides a range of services to support businesses in the region. They offer networking events, business advice, training programs, and access to funding opportunities.

We hope this comprehensive guide serves as a valuable resource for starting or running a business in Herefordshire. Exploring the websites of local authorities and business support organisations will provide you with further information, guidance, and assistance. Wishing you every success on your entrepreneurial journey in Herefordshire!

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 Herefordshire

Key Contacts in Herefordshire

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

Herefordshire 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.

Web design

Hereford Web Design
We are a Hereford based company offering affordable online solutions for local, national and international businesses. Although we have a handful of prestige clients, most of our work is for small or new businesses. We specialise in cheap, fast loading, responsive websites that seem to perform very well on the search engines. Our aim is to continue to find affordable solutions for small businesses wanting to operate online for the first time, or for those who want to improve their existing web presence. We offer domain acquisition, website design, hosting, management and maintenance, after sales service and promotion. We will work alongside you to promote your online business and make it as visible and viable as possible. Our bespoke, responsive designs work equally well across all devices and operating systems, from the largest desktop to the smallest smart phone and it's all much cheaper than you might expect, with packages typically starting from less than a pound a day. Why not visit our portfolio and have a look at some of our recent responsive web designs, covering a wide range of businesses and organisations.
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Networking

Herefordshire Means Business
Connecting & Supporting Local Herefordshire Businesses. Herefordshire Means Business works closely with local businesses organising networking events, training courses and offering all the services a business needs to run successfully. HEREFORDSHIRE MEANS BUSINESS @BREAKFAST Every Second Thursday in the Month The Addisons Suite, Hereford FC Networking Breakfast 7.30am - 9.30am HEREFORDSHIRE MEANS BUSINESS@HEREFORD EXPO Tuesday 28th April 2020 The Three Counties Hotel, Hereford 10am - 3pm ​
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Accountancy

Kinder Pocock
Kinder Pocock Chartered Certified Accountants dispel the myth that accountants and tax advisors are boring, grey suited and at times intimidating! We are a modern and user-friendly firm of accountants based in Herefordshire. We find the most efficient way to give our very best service to you is by specialising in cloud accounting. We are award-winning Xero Gold Partners and Receipt Bank Silver partners, and work hard to support your business online.
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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.
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Advice

The Marches LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership)
The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership aims to build on the areas unique features and create the conditions for enterprise and business to flourish. By leading co-ordinated action to stimulate the drivers of economic development, including housing, transport, infrastructure, broadband availability, inward investment and skills, the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership aims to improve the economic prosperity of the Marches area and create sustainable private-sector employment.
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Networking

Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce remains a dynamic member-led, not for profit organisation, working to support the local business community and specifically our 1400-strong network of member businesses. Whilst the nature and scale of what we do has changed over time, today we still work to strengthen the position of our members and ensure that the interests of local businesses are heard. Address: Post Severn House, Prescott Drive, Warndon Business Park, Worcester, WR4 9NE
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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