Business Gateway offering free support to new businesses

Business Gateway offers free, impartial advice and guidance that has helped many aspiring business owners in the area to start up and grow. 

New business start-ups can access a grant to help with their start-up costs through the council’s business start-up grant, funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. A grant of up to £1,000 is available for full-time businesses - 35 or more hours per week - and up to £500 for part-time businesses - 16 to 34 hours per week. The deadline for applications in the current round of funding is February 28.

“We recognise the importance of small businesses to the economy of Argyll and Bute,” said the council’s policy lead for business development, Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess.

“The council offers support to them in several ways. As well as tailored advice from a business adviser, we can help with access to funding. I would urge anyone that has recently started a business, or who is just about to, to take advantage of the current start-up grant that is available.”

Fifty-one local businesses have been awarded a start-up grant under the programme so far. 

“I am grateful for the support from the Business Gateway,” explained Monica Smith, who used the start-up grant towards creating her website limitlesslearninglabs.co.uk. 

“The website has been necessary - it is the first thing prospective clients ask for - to find out more about the services that I offer and my experience.”

To find out more about the start-up grant and to apply visit argyll-bute.gov.uk/step-by-step/business-start-grant.
In addition, subject experts are available for one-hour specialist advice sessions on topics including digital, HR, marketing, PR, finance, exporting and tendering, to help a business get established.

For those with a business idea but not yet trading, a sensible first step is using Business Gateway’s online Planning to Start tool: bgateway.com/planning-to-start. Answering a few questions through the tool, which can be done in 10 minutes, gives instant access to a start-up toolkit, filled with resources and advice. Individuals can also connect with an experienced local business adviser to discuss their plans one-to-one.

To set up an appointment with an adviser or to find out how Business Gateway can help, email business.gateway@argyll-bute.gov.uk or call 01546 604555.

Join a free workshop to discover how AI could transform marketing for small businesses.

Business Gateway Argyll and Bute is hosting a practical workshop exploring how generative AI can help develop and grow a small business, using tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini to create written content for marketing and much more. 

Generative AI can help with a host of tasks including social media updates and blogs, web content, PowerPoints and job adverts, brainstorming ideas, helping with research and  writing strategic business plans.

ChatGPT is also capable of creating basic webpages, analysing spreadsheets, and helping with competitor analysis or customer research. The three-hour in-person workshop will run from 10am to 1pm in Helensburgh on  Tuesday January 28, Oban on Wednesday February 12, Bute on February 20, Lochgilphead on Tuesday March 18 and Dunoon on Wednesday March 26. Booking is essential at bgateway.com/events -  search Argyll and Bute events for the workshop titled “How AI is transforming marketing and more for small businesses”. 

Each workshop will be followed by an informal networking lunch for participants, hosted by a Business Gateway adviser who will answer questions and explain more about the range of Business Gateway support available.

From 2pm to 4pm, 30-minute bookable slots are available with a Business Gateway adviser or digital expert. To book a one-to-one slot please email business.gateway@argyll-bute.gov.uk.