The Swindon Strategic Economic Partnership works with a number of partner organisations to support the local business community.
Area Action Force
In addition to their normal services, the organisations below have jointly formed the Area Action Force:
Support for businesses
The SSEP has produced a leaflet outlining available support to local businesses:
Support for Businesses in Swindon (pdf, 800kb)
Support for Employees
Swindon Borough Council has unveiled a website for people that have been made redundant
Business Rates
Businesses can now apply for business rate relief and can also have part of their bill deferred:
You can contact the following organisations directly or speak to the SSEP team for more information.
Business Link
Business Link is the portal through which all Government business support is delivered, including specific support available in response to the economic downturn. Services include:
- Availability of finance
- Managing your cash flow
- Debt problems
- Business health check
- Dealing with redundancies
- Alternatives to redundancy
- Restructuring and major change
- Exporting
- Reducing waste and saving energy
- Investing for the future
(0845) 600 9966
Train to Gain
Train to Gain is the national skills service, supporting employers of all sizes in all sectors to improve the skills of employees as a route to improving business performance. Get in touch with a Skills Broker for independent skills advice at no cost to your business.
(0800) 015 5545
JobcentrePlus
JobcentrePlus supports people into work, and provides expert help to companies on training, recruitment and dealing with redundancies.
(01793) 489776
Chamber of Commerce
The Swindon Chamber is a membership organisation representing the business community, and providing a wide range of networking, training and events.
(01753) 870500
Federation of Small Businesses
The FSB is a membership organisation promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms, and offering member services such as business and legal advice.
(01249) 449120
South West of England Regional Development Agency
The South West RDA is responsible for the development of a sustainable economy in the South West.
(0117) 933 0200
ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service)
ACAS improves employment relations, solving problems and improving the performance of employers and employees.
(08457) 474747
University of the West of England (UWE)
UWE has recently developed a range of support services and training courses to help businesses and individuals who have been impacted by the current recession.
http://rbi.uwe.ac.uk/solutions/business
0117 32 86688
Free grafitti removal service
Swindon Borough Council has launched a free graffiti removal service for small businesses. The aim is to assist small businesses during the recession whilst also improving our environment. This offer will initially last until 31st March 2010, when it will then be assessed.
Businesses will be requested to sign a disclaimer to give permission for the works to be completed. Any business requesting this service should contact 445501.