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:

Adur & Worthing Economic Strategy and Data

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:

Business plans - on The Prince's Trust website

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:

Coast to Capital Growth Hub website

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:

Open to Export website

Business innovation, research and development support

Businesses in the Adur and Worthing area can obtain R&D support from:

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:

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: