Business information and support

Business Link services

Business Link is government’s online resource for businesses.  The Business Link website has been transformed to make it easier for you to access the essential information, support and services you need to start, grow and improve your business.

Simple to use, up to date and practical, Business Link is the first place to go to find guidance on regulations and to access government services. It also has a number of useful online tools, calculators, and best practice case studies; and provides access to funding options, as well as wider support.  For details of the new online service go to Business Link.

There is also a new helpline number to support people who can't find what they need on the website - 0845 600 9 006.

Find a business mentor

Businesses that do well often have outside help. If you think you could benefit from talking to someone with a lot of business experience, you can find a business mentor at www.mentorsme.co.uk

• Mentor SME will put you in touch with mentoring organisations across the UK who can help you find the kind of mentor that suits you
• Plus there's lots of advice on what to look for in a good mentor
• If you would like to be a mentor it can also help you find an organisation to help 

Horse mouth is a not-for-profit social network offering coaching and mentoring. You can search the database of more than 15,000 members for business owners with first-hand experience of the issues you need help with. 

There is a range of other services to businesses and initiatives currently being undertaken to improve the economy of the city. Further information can be obtained by following the links below, or the contact numbers shown.

Apprenticeships in Lancashire - New Horizons

Business Continuity

Planning

Public Sector Relocation

Trade Unions

Waste and Recycling

Economic information

The Economic Regeneration Section has access to a wide range of economic intelligence, including general statistics on population, labour supply, employment and other quality of life data of use to potential investors.

Contact: 01772 903423

European funding

An intelligence service in the Economic Regeneration Section to advise the City Council on possible sources of EU funding and for the development of European trans-national projects.

Contact: 01772 903410

Tourism

We manage a local Tourist Information Centre and undertakes conference and general marketing activities.

Contact: 01772 903424 or go to Visit Preston

Trading standards

The Trading Standards service is operated by Lancashire County Council and is there to protect the interests of both consumers and businesses.

The link below is to their dedicated website, where there is a further 'About us' link to find out more about of the services on offer. For businesses these include advice on starting out, legal obligations, the credit crunch, and general advice sheets.

Lancashire Trading Standards

ACAS - the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service offers free guidance on HR issues and employee relations.  Employers can access free confidential advice on the ACAS helpline on 08457 47 47 47.

Fire safety

Details of fire safety requirements for employers are provided on the link below.

Fire Safety in the Workplace.

UK trade and investment

THE UKTI site contains useful information for businesses looking to import or export. 

The Enterprise Europe Network is also a useful source of information on EU finance, developing your business in European markets.