Business support
Supporting and improving the local economy is one of our key priorities. Working in partnership with business organisations and local businesses, the Councils' Place & Economy Team have developed an economic strategy which aims to encourage a strong and diverse local economy and build the foundations for long term, sustainable growth. For more information please see:
We offer a range of business support to help local businesses, from helping you set up a new business or understand local planning regulations to accessing financial support:
Getting started
We work with various partners who can provide advice or specialist support services if you're setting up a new business, including:
- Adur & Worthing Business Partnership (AWBP) website
- Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce website
- Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) website
- Job Centre Plus
- Community Works website
- local training providers, colleges and universities
Based on your business enquiry or start up idea, we will signpost you to the most appropriate partner. In preparation for any referral we make and to help any support service give you the most appropriate advice, we recommend having a business plan ready. The Prince's Trust has a template you can use to help outline your business idea:
Coast to Capital Growth Hub
The Coast to Capital Growth Hub provides government funded free support to help small and medium sized businesses in the area to achieve their growth ambitions. Since its launch the Coast to Capital Growth Hub has supported thousands of businesses with its various support services, including access to free diagnostic business reviews and dedicated Account Managers who work with businesses to assess their needs and introduce tailored solutions.
For more information please see:
Open to Export
Open to Export is a free information service from The Institute of Export & International Trade, helping small and medium sized enterprises with their exporting and international trade needs.
For more information please see:
Business innovation, research and development support
Businesses in the Adur and Worthing area can obtain R&D support from:
- Sussex Innovation Centre website - part of the Sussex University
- Centre for Research in Innovation Management (CENTRIM) - on the Brighton University website
Support for green thinking businesses
There are a number of organisations that offer growth support to businesses looking to improve their environmental performance, including energy auditing and efficiency solutions, funding advice and grant support. For more information please see:
- Carbon Trust website
- Clean Growth UK website
- Sustainable Business Partnership CIC website
- The Energy Hub website
UK government business support and resources
The government offers new and established businesses free advice and information, as well as webinars and online courses on a range of helpful topics including national and local support schemes, financial support and tax:
- Business and self-employed information - on the GOV.UK website
- Business support finder tool - on the GOV.UK website
- HMRC videos on YouTube
Further information:
You can find other helpful information relating to running a business in Adur and Worthing here:
Need assistance with this service?
Get in touch:
Economic Development, Place & Economy
Page last updated: 19 August 2021