Local council enterprise departments

Many local councils run an enterprise department, advice line or support centre for businesses. Its aim is to improve local economic growth by helping enterprises start, grow and create jobs. It does this by helping businesses seek grants, obtain guidance and find recruitment support.

Support on offer

An enterprise team can point you towards grants — money that does not have to be repaid — and give free help and advice. It can also offer recruitment solutions, such as helping you find staff or understand local training and work schemes. Because the team works in your area, it may know local demand, skills shortages and the kinds of businesses already trading there.

For example, a bike repair shop in a seaside town wants to employ an apprentice. The council's enterprise team knows about a local scheme that helps small employers take on trainees and can explain how to apply. It may also mention a small grant for equipment, though the grant might cover only part of the cost and only a few businesses may get one.

Strengths and limitations

Strength	Limitation
Understands the local economy, so advice can suit local conditions.	May not understand a niche business — one serving a very small, specialist market — as well as an adviser from that industry would.
Advice is often free, which helps small and medium-sized businesses grow without paying professional fees.	Support may not be available immediately; you might have to wait for an appointment or for a scheme to open.
Possible grants can reduce costs.	Grant funding tends to be capped, offered in only a few forms and restricted in how many businesses can receive it; it may not cover what you need.

So a council enterprise department is a useful local source of advice, recruitment help and possible funding, but it is not a specialist adviser and it cannot guarantee a grant or a quick answer.

Support on offer

Strengths and limitations

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