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How to Start a Business in Norfolk

Free start-up resources and useful local contacts.

Improve your chances of success!

How to Start a Business in Norfolk

Starting a business in Norfolk

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

Start Your Own Business in Norfolk 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 Norfolk

Local help for startups

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

Select classification:

Business advice in a group

Advice & Support
An accountant with calculator

Accountancy
A bookkeeper at work

Bookkeeping
Coworkers desks

Co-Working
Bank of England

Funding
Photo of a piggy bank

Grants
A mentor with group

Mentoring
Networking group talking

Networking
A view of a smart office

Office Services
Online marketing graphic

Online Marketing
A web designer at desk

Web Design
A nice place to work

Workplaces

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

Located in the East of England, Norfolk is known for its stunning coastline, picturesque countryside, and thriving tourism industry.

Demographics of Norfolk

Norfolk is home to a diverse population of over 900,000 residents. The county offers a mix of urban and rural areas, with a strong sense of community. Its rich history, natural beauty, and cultural attractions make Norfolk an attractive location for businesses in various sectors.

Major Towns and Cities in Norfolk
  • Norwich : Norwich is the county town and largest city in Norfolk, with a population of over 140,000 residents. It is known for its historic architecture, vibrant arts scene, and renowned universities. Norwich offers business opportunities in sectors such as technology, creative industries, tourism, and professional services.
  • Great Yarmouth : Great Yarmouth is a coastal town with a population of around 40,000 residents. It is a popular tourist destination, known for its sandy beaches, amusement parks, and maritime heritage. Great Yarmouth offers business prospects in sectors such as tourism, leisure, energy, and logistics.
  • King's Lynn : King's Lynn is a historic market town with a population of over 40,000 residents. It has a rich maritime history and architectural heritage. King's Lynn offers business opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and heritage tourism.
Local Authorities in Norfolk

Understanding the local authorities in Norfolk is crucial for navigating regulations and accessing relevant services. Here are some key local authorities in Norfolk along with their website links:

  • Norwich City Council : Norwich City Council is the local authority for Norwich. Their website provides comprehensive information on local government services, including business rates, planning permissions, and economic development initiatives. They offer guidance on starting a business, provide access to grants and funding opportunities, and support business growth in Norwich.
  • Great Yarmouth Borough Council : Great Yarmouth Borough Council oversees local services in the Great Yarmouth area. Their website offers information on business support, planning and development, and community services.
  • King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council : King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council is the local authority for the King's Lynn area. Their website provides resources and information on business support, planning and development, and environmental services.
  • Breckland Council : Breckland Council serves the Breckland district in Norfolk. Their website offers guidance on starting a business, planning and building regulations, and access to local services.
Business Support Organisations in Norfolk

Norfolk has a range of business support organisations that can provide valuable assistance to entrepreneurs. Consider exploring the following resources:

  • Norfolk Chamber of Commerce : Norfolk Chamber of Commerce is a membership organisation that supports businesses across the county. They provide networking opportunities, business training, and advocacy on behalf of their members.
  • New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership : New Anglia LEP is a partnership between businesses, local authorities, and education institutions. They offer support and funding programs to promote economic growth and job creation in Norfolk and Suffolk.
  • Norfolk County Council Business Support : Norfolk County Council offers a range of business support services and resources. Their website provides information on funding opportunities, training programs, and business advice.

We hope this comprehensive guide serves as a valuable resource for starting or running a business in Norfolk. 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 the beautiful county of Norfolk!

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.

Thain Wildbur
JMJ Web Design
Sammy Tee
NeSS Payroll & HR Virtual Assistant
Managed by Julie
Access business finance up to £150k

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!

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.

See: Full List of Latest Start-Up Articles

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.
More Information and instant download
More Information and instant download
Starting a business in Norfolk

Key Contacts in Norfolk

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

Norfolk 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.

JMJ Web Design

Web design

JMJ Web Design
Web Design that lives up to your expectations You need a sleek, professional website that performs well in search engines. It must load fast, look great and be full of information that guides your prospects to picking up the phone or hitting the ‘buy now’ button. You need all this, and you need it at an affordable price. It’s as simple as that. Sadly, we know from experience that many businesses end up with websites that are working against them, not for them. Too many frustrated customers have come to us after a bad experience with web designers who promise it all but don’t deliver. It doesn’t have to be this way. Our specialist team works as a collective, providing high-quality web design and guiding you through all aspects of the process. Our streamlined system means we don’t charge exorbitant agency prices, but you’ll get a finished website that meets that quality. Together we’ll build you a website that reflects your brand brilliantly.
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Let's Do Marketing

Marketing

Let's Do Marketing
Let’s Do Marketing is a subsidiary of Let’s Do Business Group that is here to help small businesses grow through marketing. Focussed on providing affordable and accessible support to new and small businesses, they offer consultancy and marketing services that can help you to achieve your big marketing ideas. Whether you’re just starting out with a brand new business or looking to grow, we can give you the guidance to create a marketing strategy that matches your goals. Let’s Do Marketing can also provide training to help you take control of your own marketing strategy, from learning new software and tools to creating award winning campaigns! Find out more about our services https://www.letsdomarketing.co.uk/ Want to chat about how Let’s Do Marketing can help you to level up your business? Get in touch at https://www.letsdomarketing.co.uk/contact or email us at hello@letsdomarketing.co.uk!
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Access business finance up to £150k

Funding

Access business finance up to £150k
Let’s Do Business Finance offers funding to both start-up businesses and businesses wanting to grow and invest in their future. Start up finance We’re one of the official Business Support Partners of the British Business Bank and Start Up Loan Company. We can offer loans from £500 up to £25k with a fixed interest rate of 6% per annum, and that includes 12 months of free mentoring to help you get off to the best start. Could you be eligible? Find out more https://www.letsdobusinessfinance.co.uk/lets-start-up Business loans Let’s Do Business Finance are able to offer business loans to help established businesses to grow. We’re accredited lenders of the Recovery Loan Scheme under the British Business Bank, and we’re able to lend from £25,001 to £150,000 on terms from 3 months to 6 years. This business finance can be used to help you secure anything from new premises, equipment, and capital, and our team can help you to assess your cash flow and finances, build your marketing strategy and more with our built-in business support which is tailored to your needs. Want to learn more about business loans, and see if you’re eligible? Visit our website https://www.letsdobusinessfinance.co.uk/ or send us an enquiry https://www.letsdobusinessfinance.co.uk/contact-us
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Engage with Business Ltd.

Advice

Engage with Business Ltd.
Starting and Growing a Business Do you have a great idea for a business but not sure how or where to start? Have you recently started a business and find that you could do with some help? We can provide you with advice, training and mentoring to help get your business off to the best possible start. If you are trying to grow your business perhaps you may have realised that your role is changing and you need to step back and learn how to manage the business and your employees more effectively? These are all things that we can help you with. We offer a range of support which includes one to one advice sessions, training for business start-ups and business growth and mentoring on a one to one or group basis. We are based in Norfolk and have supported hundreds of new businesses in this area, but use of technology enables us to extend our services far beyond this geographical constraint. If you feel we could help you or you would like further information please contact us.
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Let's Do Business Group

Advice

Let's Do Business Group
With the ability to help businesses across all sectors, our team can offer business consultancy services to help you achieve your goals. The Let’s Do Business Group can provide virtual business consultancy services through our team of business professionals and quality assured consultants. Whether its developing a business plan or strategy, coaching or mentoring of senior staff and business owners, or just being a sounding board our team are here to help. We offer a free initial consultation so that we understand your needs, and you get to know us. We will then agree how we will work together and our fees – this could be from a one off session, a short support programme or a longer term project. We also have access to a range of other business specialists to help you with anything from Marketing to HR – so whatever your need, we can find a solution. Contact the team today at https://www.letsdobusinessgroup.co.uk/contact-us or email info@ldbgroup.co.uk
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The Lonely Middle Club - From Startup Hive

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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Networking

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce
Norfolk Chamber of Commerce has provided first-class help and support, and fought for a better deal, for Norfolk businesses since 1896. Owned and directed by its business members, the chamber supports and represents businesses of all shapes and sizes, and in all sectors. Address: Hardwick House, 2 Agricultural Hall Plain, Norwich, NR1 3FS
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Advice

Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Services (NWES)
NWES - Advising and helping start up businesses since 1982. We are experts in providing practical business advice on how to start-up, survive and prosper in business. Our professional business advisors use their experience to guide you through all aspects of starting a business and they have a wide range of sector experience to draw on. Between them our advisor team has now worked with over 10,000 individuals looking to set up in business.
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Advice

NWES
Double the chance of your business surviving 3 years! That is the reality of working with a business support organisation such as NWES to obtain business advice according to recent research. We are experts in providing practical business advice on how to start-up, survive and prosper in business. Our professional business advisors use their experience to guide you through all aspects of starting a business and they have a wide range of sector experience to draw on. Between them our advisor team has now worked with over 10,000 individuals looking to set up in business.
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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

FREE Start-up Pack

This FREE start-up pack contains everything that you need to get you started.

Startup Pack

Start-up Guides

Our FREE downloadable guides are packed with the information that you need to start and grow a your business.

Startup Pack