Bedford Business Guide & Directory

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The British Chambers of
Commerce have a resource,
Export Britain, designed to
help you start and grow your
exporting business.
exportbritain.org.uk
Green Business and
Resource Efficiency
A growing number of
businesses are finding that
improving their environmental
performance is leading to
surprising benefits. In addition
to legal compliance, pollution
prevention and continual
improvement, these include
reduced waste, lower utility
bills, better processes,
improvements in PR and
increased profits.
There are a number of
organisations/initiatives that
can help your business become
‘greener’…
The Carbon Trust works
with businesses and other
organisations to reduce
carbon emissions and
develop commercial low
carbon technologies.
Services include help to
reduce energy costs.
The Energy Saving Trust
provides information on
reducing your fuel costs
through improving the energy
efficiency of your business.
Also includes information
on cutting motoring costs.
business
Are you looking for
advice and funding for
your business?
Find government-backed
support and finance for
business, including:
grants, finance and loans,
business support eg mentoring,
consultancy and funding for
small and medium-sized
businesses and start-ups at
support-finder and/or
guide.co.uk
Below you will find examples
of some of the funding
opportunities that are available…
New Enterprise Allowance
Available to Jobseeker Allowance
Claimants aged 18 or over who
have been claiming for 26 weeks
or more. Support is provided to
develop a viable business plan.
To find out if you qualify for this
programme, please contact your
Job Centre Plus Advisor.
The Prince’s Trust
The Trust’s Enterprise Programme,
which was established 29 years
ago, helps unemployed and
disadvantaged young people to
explore entrepreneurial ideas
and turn their business plans
into reality with a low-interest
loan and a mentor.
See
Foundation East
Small Loans for Business
initiative which provides loan
funding of between £5,000 to
£100,000 to start-ups, expanding
businesses and social enterprises
in the East of England region.
The loan package includes
ongoing access to business
coaches and mentoring support.
Grant for Research
and Development
Aims to help SMEs carry out
research and development work
on technologically innovative
products and processes.
for an
initial assessment.
Exporting - Helping
Businesses Grow
Internationally
Staff are experts in helping your
business grow internationally.
They provide expert trade advice
and practical support to UK-
based companies wishing to
grow their business overseas.
Through a range of unique
services, including participation
at selected trade fairs, outward
missions and providing bespoke
market intelligence, the
Department for International
Trade can help you crack foreign
markets and get to grips quickly
with overseas regulations and
business practice.
Bedfordshire Chamber of
Commerce has a team
specifically aimed at supporting
businesses with exporting.
Their Export Documentation
team are on hand to process
your documents, advise and assist.