Sources of business support
Business Link
Bristol Spaceworks is working in partnership with Business Link to bring local businesses access to the range of expertise and support available. Our Business Link contact advisor is Peter Jennings, an experienced generalist business advisor who can offer a range of support including in-depth business reviews, assisting with the implementation of action plans, acting as mentor and facilitator or identifying other sources of help. Peter will be available at a BSW business centre every month starting in October 2010 and is offering 1 hour 1:1 sessions with any business, free of charge, which can be pre-booked through our reception on 0117 941 5800.
To find out the dates of future sessions go to our Events calendar which gives further details and information on how to book. Sign up to our monthly e-bulletin at the head of this page to receive regular updates on this and our other forthcoming events. This service is available to our Network Subscribers which is free to join, just sign up for the newsletter and then give us a call when the date is published, on 0117 941 5800.
GWE Business West the Chambers of Commerce
In association with GWE Business West the Chambers of Commerce, Bristol Spaceworks are delighted that our subscribers can now access valuable business information and advice; the opportunity to subscribe to the GWE Business West Chambers of Commerce Start-up package (for details visit www.thebusiness-startup.co.uk) and also obtain a significant discount on their 1st year GWE Business West Chamber Membership. (eg a sole trader can join for as little as £15.37 + VAT per month)*
This deal is only open to our Network Subscribers which is free to join (see section on Bristol Spaceworks Network). Once you have registered call us on 0117 941 5800 to arrange a no-obligation free consultation and discover the benefits of membership of GWE Business West Chambers of Commerce.
GWE Business West Ltd is a leading membership and economic development organisation delivering an extensive range of services to businesses across the West of England and Swindon, and includes the Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire Chambers of Commerce, the four leading Chambers of Commerce in the region. As a powerful voice for business we play a major role in shaping and supporting economic growth and success. We are one of the largest chambers in the UK with 2000 businesses in membership. We also incorpoate UK Trade and Investment on behalf of the government and provide an extensive International Trade Documents Service.
Outset Bristol
Outset Bristol provides free training and support to people who are considering starting their own business in Bristol. The Outset Bristol training programme is composed of 19 three-hour workshops aimed at taking you all the way from considering self-employment to starting your own business. Bristol Spaceworks will be hosting a number of Introductory Information Sessions during the course of 2011/12 at one of our venues. This is an opportunity for those interested in self employment to come along and find out about their programme of support.
Further details about Outset Bristol and other local enterprise agencies and sources of business support can be found in our Resources section.
Bristol Creatives
Bristol Creatives is a Bristol Spaceworks initiative and is a network of self employed artists and designer makers in the Bristol area. We host monthly networking events, run specialist training courses and workshops, send out a monthly e-bulletin and What's On guide to the visual and applied arts world. This is a subscription service and for a very affordable annual fee creative businesses can access a whole range of benefits and discounts including an entry on your own website page in the Creative Directory. Check out the gold membership package at www.bristolcreatives.co.uk. We hope to be able to offer a specialist coaching/mentoring service shortly which will be advertised on the website. For further details contact sally@bristolcreatives.co.uk or check her out by visiting her in The Team section.
Bristol Spaceworks Network
With up to 140 separate small and community based businesses operating out of our business centres there are opportunities to network with and reach a wide range of suppliers, partners and customers. Our networked business centres provide a growing market place where we encourage licensees and other businesses to connect and work together. For further information on the benefits of becoming a Network Subscriber go to our Bristol Spaceworks Network section.
The business development team at Bristol Spaceworks is planning regular networking events, business development workshops and seminars for local businesses and is always keen to hear from entrepreneurs interested in running their own events at our venues. To find out about forthcoming events and activities visit the Events section or contact Chris Chapman at chris@bristolspaceworks.co.uk.
Bristol Spaceworks has signed up to the Start Up Donut which brings online business advice and information directly through our website. It's all in one easily accessible format and provides a syndicated website and monthly newsletter bringing national and local business news and information. Click on the link at the side of this page.
Chris Chapman, Chief Executive of Bristol Spaceworks is an accredited business advisor and is always happy to signpost to sources of free or affordable advice elsewhere. Contact chris@bristolspaceworks.co.uk or check him out in The Team section.