Business Advice

Business Support Services

The Community & Economic Regeneration Unit provides information and support to companies interested in investing in Solihull, whether new to the area, or an existing company in the Borough.

Business Visits

Working with companies considering Solihull as a location, and with businesses already located in the Borough, the Business Investment Team can offer support, advice and guidance to address all your business needs.

Alongside our partners and other public agencies, we will endeavour to respond to your business needs, as well as keeping you informed of new initiatives and relevant business information.

Please call the Team on 0121 704 6082 to arrange an appointment to discuss your business needs.

Business Forums

The Team is involved in and facilitates a number of free networking and information sharing forums for local businesses in the following locations:

• Blythe Valley Business Park
• Cranmore and Monkspath
• Birmingham Business Park
• North Solihull
• Bickenhill and Elmdon

For more information please contact the Team on 0121 704 6082.

Business Link

Getting business support in the West Midlands has never been easier. You can now access impartial and expert information, support and advice to help develop and make your business more successful. Whether you are thinking about starting your own business, have recently started up, or have been established for some time Business Link West Midlands can help.

The Business Link service is tailored specifically to the needs of your business, so whatever your challenge and no matter what stage your business is at. By simply contacting 0845 113 1234 you can benefit from their knowledge, expertise and contacts, making it easier to move your business forward.

Business Link can help you...

• Access business information and research
• Get expert advice on how to improve your business performance
• Find relevant solutions through access to quality assured suppliers
• Improve the skills of you and your people
• Access specialist manufacturing advice
• Start a dynamic new business

Business Link West Midlands is available locally - contact us today to arrange for a business adviser to talk to you about your business or about starting up.

To see how Business Link can help support your business, please see the attached case study (on the right) for SG Maintenance.

Easy ways to get in touch:

1. By phone: Call 0845 113 1234 / and start accessing the support you need (Open Mon-Fri 8am to 6pm and Sat 9.30am to 1pm).
2. On-line: Visit the Business Link West Midlands website and access a range of useful self help guides and business tools. Register for your free on-line newsletter.
3. By email: You can send them an email on info@businesslinkwm.co.uk with your query or request and they will get back to you during their opening hours.

Business Continuity

Business continuity is not something that only large businesses should think about. No matter what size your business is or how many people it employs, your business must be prepared, because any form of interruption has the potential to seriously affect, yours, and your employees' livelihoods.

For more information, please see the Business Continuity section

If you would welcome a visit offering you a chance to raise concerns or to find out more, please contact the Team on 0121 704 6032.

Redundant Building Grant (RBG) Scheme

The RBG Scheme is part of a comprehensive programme of rural regeneration funded by Advantage West Midlands. Grants are being provided for the conversion or refurbishment of redundant buildings to bring them back into productive business use or to enhance their current business use.

Anyone with a redundant building they consider suitable for refurbishment or conversion should contact on 0121 704 6082 to see if you could be eligible for support.

For more information, please see attached Redundant Building Grant Scheme leaflet.

Technology Based Business Support

Together with the University of Warwick Science Park, Solihull offers a number of support services designed to maximise potential for growth in technology based business start-ups and SME's.

Their services use experienced business experts to provide tailored mentored advice with:

• Access to capital and finance (Minerva)
• Technical marketing (Techmark)
• Business mentoring for growth (Ignite)

For more information on the schemes, please contact the Team on 0121 704 6082.