Business support resources

Basics

Starting and growing your own business can be challenging but rewarding. To get your ideas off the ground, you need to research your market, consider your competitors and prepare a business plan.

Start Up

There are many independent and commercial providers that can support your start up plans, some of which are listed here.

Growth

A wide range of useful tools and resources to help you grow your business.

Arts, culture and creative industries

Information and guidance for the creative industries.

Brexit

The UK has left the EU. The new rules on trade, travel and business have taken effect as of 1 January 2021.

Business rates

Business support organisations

A useful directory of support organisations.

Cost of Living Hub (Richmond)

We know that while the cost of living crisis is impacting businesses, it is also impacting employees in their personal lives. Help and advice to support people is available, and information can found in one place on our Richmond Cost of Living Hub.

Crime, security and continuity planning

Business continuity involves thinking ahead and identifying potential threats. This will ensure your business can identify areas to prioritise during an incident and survive if it is disrupted.

Digital

Entrepreneurship for Women

Information, guidance and support for women entrepreneurs.

Event and venue hire

Finance

A wide range of financial and funding help is available. There is no 'one-size-fits-all' financial scheme, even if your business is in the same sector as another.

Food, catering and retail

Find out about food safety, food hygiene rating scheme, allergy guidance and food labelling.

HR, employment, training and skills

Recruiting, training and employing staff.

International trade

Guidance for buying or selling internationally.

Invest in Richmond

Licensing and street trading

Apply for the correct licence for your business.

Local campaigns

Boost and support for local businesses.

OpenLearn

OpenLearn are free courses from The Open University.

Planning

Offering specific information and advice to help businesses with their planning needs and obligations.

Retail

Social enterprise

A social enterprise is a business with key social objectives whose surpluses are reinvested principally in the community. It is owned by its employees, trades goods and services and has a clear social cause.

Town Centres, Business and Traders’ Associations

Several local areas have town centre managers or business and traders associations that help to maintain a busy and attractive high street.

Tourism, leisure and hospitality

The borough is home to several well-known tourist venues, which attract approximately 4.5 million visitors from across the world every year.

Trading Standards

Ensuring a fair and safe trading environment for businesses, residents and visitors to Richmond. 

Workspaces

A selection of guidance notes and local commercial agents.

Young entrepreneurs

You are never too young to achieve greatness and turn your idea into an enterprise. Various organisations and charities offer young people a helping hand to get started.