Help for Businesses

View advice and help available to businesses within the West Midlands from Solihull Investment Team and specialist business advice organisations.

Solihull Business Investment Team - Here to Help Local Businesses

During this period of economic uncertainty, Solihull Council's Business Investment Team is on hand to support local businesses, through a number of directly run programmes and signposting to relevant organisations. The Team of four engage with businesses throughout the Borough, of every size and sector and are keen to make individual contact to discuss how they can help company needs. The Team provides free services including advice and support on:

• Recruitment, Redundancy and Outplacement Support,
• Local Networking
• Enterprise Support
• Financial Support for North Solihull
• Relocating or Downsizing Commercial Property

View more information on these and other services offered by Solihull Investment Team to help businesses through the Credit Crunch.

There are a number of 'Credit Crunch' Workshops planned by partner organisations on various topics to help businesses through the downturn, including staff training and development, managing cash flow and dealing with redundancies. More information on forthcoming workshops.

View more information on Employment Support including training and development opportunities and business support services from Solihull Business Investment Team.

For any queries on the above please contact Solihull Business Investment Team on 0121 704 6920 or email economicdev@solihull.gov.uk

Business Rates

We are responsible for collection of Business Rates. The money is then paid to the governments national account ('central pool'). We collect from around 4,200 companies a year, totalling around £100 million. View more information on the calculation and payment of Business Rates.

If you have just moved into a property you will need to let our Business Rates Team know in order for you to be billed.

There are a number of 'Relief's' (reductions) available that may help to reduce your Business Rates bill, the criteria stating who is eligible for relief is set by Central Government. View more information on relief's or reductions that may be available to your business.

If you are experiencing problems in paying your Business Rates or require any further information please contact the Business Rates Team on 0121 704 8175 or email businessrates@solihull.gov.uk

Support and advice available from our partners or other organisations

• Advantage West Midlands
  Regional Development Agency Advantage West Midlands has created a central point of contact for businesses, individuals and partners during the economic downturn. The site offers a range of help and support provided by organisations such as Advantage West Midlands, Business Link, Manufacturing Advisory Service, Jobcentre Plus, the Learning and Skills Council, trade unions and ACAS.
• West Midlands Finance
  The West Midlands Access to Finance E-Portal is continually updated with information and advice with regard to all the Access to Finance initiatives available in the West Midlands.
• Business Link telephone number 0845 600 9966
  Business Link provides regional advice and support for local companies and practical advice for Businesses. Advice includes 'real help with finance' where companies can take a 'health check' or access information on financial help and support and 'real help for businesses' offering details on managing cash flow and debts, making cost savings and an interactive guide to handling potential redundancies.
• HM Revenue and Customs
  Make use of HM Revenue and Customs Business Payment Support Service. This is a fast track service enabling businesses to speak directly with an advisor to agree an affordable timetable for paying tax, National Insurance and other payments. Business experiencing temporary cash flow difficulties can call 0845 302 1435 to discuss payment options.
• UK Trade & Investment or telephone 0845 052 4001
  UKTI can help if the credit crunch is having an impact on you in terms of current and future business prospects, and particularly export prospects. Research shows that new exporters boost their business productivity by up to a third in the first year of exporting. UKTI provides impartial, expert advice to help you trade overseas.
• Business Debtline or telephone 0800 1976026
  Business Debtline is a charity that provides free, confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems and is a part of the Money Advice Trust (MAT) - formed in 1991 to increase the quality and availability of free, independent money advice in the UK.
• Tax Aid or telephone number is 0845 1203779 (open 10am until 12 noon Monday to Thursday) is an UK charity providing free, independent and confidential tax advice to people who cannot afford to pay a professional advisor.
  Tax aid can help you understand your rights and responsibilities under the UK tax system, if you cannot pay your tax and are facing legal proceedings, or if you feel you are due a tax refund.