Coping with the Economic Downturn and Business Support

 
The economic downturn is continuing to have a significant impact on people and businesses in Chesterfield. Chesterfield Borough Council has compiled a list of organisations that may be able to offer help and support to individuals and businesses in coping with the downturn.

Individuals

Council Tax and Housing Benefit 

Housing Benefit is a benefit that helps you to pay your rent if you are on a low income. Council Tax Benefit is help towards paying your Council tax charge. Use the Council’s Council Tax and Housing Benefits calculator to see if you are entitled to either of these benefits. (www.chesterfield.gov.uk/wbc/calculator.asp)

 
Contact Details:        
Chesterfield Borough Council
Benefits Section
PO Box 100
85 New Square
Chesterfield
S40 1SN

Tel (01246) 345484 / 345507
www.chesterfield.gov.uk/default.aspx?CATID=3

Chesterfield Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) 

The CAB helps people resolve their legal, financial, housing, employment and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice either face to face or by telephone.

Contact details:        
6-8 Broad Pavement
Chesterfield
S40 1RP

Tel (01246) 209164
 www.adviceguide.org.uk

Chesterfield Law Centre

 Chesterfield Law Centre offers free, confidential help, advice and representation to individuals and groups in Chesterfield on issues such as housing, debts and employment.

Contact details:         
Chesterfield Law Centre
44 Park Road
Chesterfield
S40 1XZ

Tel (01246) 550674
www.chesterfieldlawcentre.org.uk 

Derbyshire Unemployed Workers Centre (DUWC) 

DUWC provides free and independent welfare rights advice and representation to ensure that people are receiving all the benefits they are entitled to. Services provided include: benefit checks; completion of claim forms; liaising with DWP/Inland Revenue/Local Authorities; representation at benefit tribunal; and on-site redundancy advice.

Contact details:         
DUWC
70 Saltergate
Chesterfield
S40 1JR

Tel (01246) 231441 

Derbyshire Welfare Rights 

Derbyshire County Council’s Welfare Rights Team can help you to understand the rules about benefits and how to claim the benefits you are entitled to.

You can phone the Benefits Helpline on tel 0845 1202985 or email them at welfarerights@derbyshire.gov.uk

HM Government

The booklet below will provide you with help that is available now to families and businesses in the East Midlands and where to find it.

Real help for the East Midlands

Businesses

Business Link East Midlands 

If you are an existing business or thinking of starting up in business, then Business Link East Midlands can offer you a range of support. View the link www.businesslinkem.co.uk to visit their website or contact them direct on telephone 0845 058 6644. The links below will also provide you with useful information regarding Business Link.

Business Link Background Information (24KB)

Business Link - Turning your Business Dream into a Reality (155KB)

Business Link - A Guide to Starting your Business in the East Midlands (766KB)
 
Beating the Crunch – this download provides links to a series of on-line guides that can help your business ‘beat the crunch’ and increase its competitiveness. (561KB)

Business Link Advisers Information:

Adrian Williamson Profile (32KB)

David Radmore Profile (26KB)

East Midlands Development Agency (emda)

Please view the links below for information on Grants for Business Investment (GBI). GBI (formerly known as Selective Finance for Investment in England or SFIE grants) makes discretionary grants available from the Government (the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform – BERR) to support businesses with investment projects which will increase productivity, skills and employment in deprived areas in England. Applicants must show that they need financial help for the project to go ahead. The minimum grant available is £10,000. The grants are managed by the Regional Development Agencies.

GBI Brochure (1MB)

GBI Frequently Asked Questions (22KB)

Solutions for Business is a suite of highly targeted, publicly funded products and services offering solutions to real business needs and tackling market failure. Designed to drive qualifying businesses forward, it helps them to grow and succeed by providing help in a number of areas. If you would like some further information regarding this type of business support then please visit the website below.
Solutions and Small Loans for Business

Source Derbyshire

The Source Derbyshire portal has been created with funding from the East Midlands Centre of Excellence to bring buyers and suppliers together. 
The main objective of the website is to advertise potential new contracts that businesses can bid for and to make it easier for businesses to find out about new sources of potential revenue.
As well as new contract opportunities, you will also find a list of recurring contracts which you may also be able to bid for in the future.
Source Derbyshire

Trusted Trader Scheme (Derbyshire County Council)

Derbyshire Trusted Trader can help individuals find honest and reliable traders who commit to doing a good job for a fair price.
It includes plumbers, builders, roofers, decorators, joiners, electricians, gardeners, retailers and many more.
Businesses can use the Trusted Trader website to find out more about the benefits of being a Derbyshire Trusted Trader and learn how to sign up.
Trusted Trader

First Enterprise - Building Businesses in the East Midlands

First Enterprise Business Agency (FEBA) are a leading business support organisation in the heart of Nottingham, established to support the needs of pre-start and existing business owners in Nottingham and throughout the East Midlands.

FEBA is committed to:
Delivering quality services.
Targeting the specific needs of those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Equal opportunities for all.
Developing businesses, creating jobs and growing the local economy.

For more information please visit the website below.
First Enterprise Business Agency (FEBA)

CompeteFor

CompeteFor is a free service that enables businesses to compete for contract opportunities linked to the London 2012 Games and other major public and private sector buying organisations.

With a particular focus on supply chain opportunities, CompeteFor acts as a brokerage service, matching buyers with potential suppliers. It also facilitates access to focused business support, through the national Business Link network, helping to boost the long–term competitiveness of your business.
CompeteFor 

GRANTnet

Are you looking for a grant or funding for your organisation? GRANTnet is the UK's leading free-to-use funding database.

To assist local organisations in their search for funding Derbyshire County Council have taken out a subscription to GRANTnet. This allows you to search the database which contains over 4,000 funding opportunities from United Kingdom and European Commission sources.

GRANTnet is a user-friendly free to use service which has been devised to assist community and voluntary groups, sports and other clubs, schools, social enterprises and small businesses in identifying funding opportunities for specific projects. 
GRANTnet - DCC