Business advice & support
At Chichester District Council we recognise that the wealth of the community is generated by it's successful businesses. The authority works in close partnership with other business support agencies throughout the county, offering support and information on the range of issues that affect businesses.
New and existing businesses
Chichester District Council's business contact programme
We have a dedicated team with a variety of specialist skills that can assist your business on its road to success. We are closely linked with support organisations that offer further training and advice, therefore we are ideally placed to offer networking and identify new business opportunities.
We can offer support and advice on:
- Access to business grants;
- Planning applications and enquiries;
- The key issues impacting on your business;
- Relocating to the district;
- The availability of business premises within the area
There are a variety of local and regional business support organisations that offer a wide range of different services to local businesses.
Chichester BID website (opens new window)
Chichester Chamber of Commerce and Industry (opens new window)
Community Empowerment Ltd (opens new window)
Federation of Small Businesses (fsb) (opens new window)
Fernhurst Hub (opens new window)
Gov.uk - Businesses and self-employed (opens new window)
Help to Grow : Management Essentials Course (opens new window)
Business West Sussex / grow digital (opens new window)
HM Government - Business Support (opens new window)
Innovate UK (opens new window)
Trading Standards (opens new window)
West Sussex, Brighton & Hove Career Hub (opens new window)
Starting up a business
If you are starting a business in the Chichester District, you can obtain a free PDF Start-Up guide. This contains useful tools, resources and details all the steps to succeed. To receive this please enter your email address here Request a new business start-up guide
The support and advice we offer includes:
- Access to business grants
- Relocating to the district; and,
- The availability of business premises within the area
Gov.uk - Setting up (opens new window) has extensive advise for new businesses, please visit their website for more information.
Community Empowerment Ltd (opens new window)
Fernhurst Hub (opens new window)
Gov.uk - Setting up (opens new window)
HM Revenue & Customs online advice seminars (opens new window)
Prince's Trust (opens new window)
Start-up Loans (opens new window)
Sign up to our eBiz newsletter
For up to date news on business advice, grants and events, please signup to our free eBiz newsletter (opens new window).
If you have any further questions, please email business.support@chichester.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can phone 01243 534669.
Business Welcome Pack
We know how difficult it can be when setting up a new business or relocating to a new area. This booklet has been put together as a guide to Chichester district based businesses, on the local support agencies available to them and the services provided here at Chichester District Council. The Business Welcome Pack provides information and links to relevant sources you might need when setting up a new business or when relocating an established business to the area.
Business Welcome Pack (PDF, 5 MB)
Inward investment and growth
Chichester District Council has developed a strategy and are supporting businesses who want to move into or relocate within the district.
For more information please visit our newly launched Invest Chichester (opens new window) website, and if you would like an introduction to the district, please telephone 01243 534595.
Pop-up shop
Applications for the Chichester Pop Up Shop scheme are now closed.
The Pop Up Shop Initiative, aims to help support small and start-up businesses in the district.
The scheme makes use of vacant properties owned by the council, to provide affordable temporary premises. This means that smaller enterprises and start-up businesses will have the opportunity to trial business concepts and trade in a city centre location without the commitment or cost of a longer-term lease.
There are currently no suitable vacant premises available so we have suspended the scheme.
If the scheme re-opens, there will be an open ended application process using an online form. Applications will be processed and assessed on a first come first served basis.
Please read the guidance notes for more information.
Pop Up Shop Guidance Notes (PDF, 2 MB)
If you have any questions please email: popupshop@chichester.gov.uk.
West Sussex Business Hub
As part of the Retail Support Programme and in collaboration with Horsham District Council and 5 other Councils within West Sussex, 10 free online training modules have been pre-recorded for businesses to access at their own convenience. Although the sessions are tailored for independent retailers other businesses will be able to access the modules and benefit from the free information. Businesses will be able to select the topics that best suit their needs.
Each module is presented by a specialist expert on the following key subjects:
- Measuring sales, tracking profitability
- Key steps for creating a marketing plan
- The importance of business planning
- Employing staff: an introduction to HR for small businesses
- Using social media for business outcomes
- Card payments and electronic point of sale
- Understanding today's customer
- Creating an exceptional customer experience
- Developing a quality customer experience for the modern independent retailer; and
- Developing new business models that work effectively and efficiently.
To find out more about this and to register, please visit the West Sussex Business Hub (opens new window) website.
Support for small businesses on digital technologies
The Recover & Rise: SME Digital Accelerator series has now concluded. However, businesses can still access recordings of all the webinars from across the 4 series (opens new window) and up to 8 hours of free mentoring & support from a Digital Champion (opens new window)
The aim is to help small and medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) utilise digital tools and gain expert knowledge and advice on how best to grow their online presence, attract and retain new customers and work more productively.
The programme covers:
- Series 1: Getting Online
- Series 2: Customers and Marketing
- Series 3: Systems and Productivity
- Series 4: Growth Expansion and New Products.
Grow Digital West Sussex is a series of free, carefully curated workshops (opens new window), facilitated networking and 1-2-1 mentoring that is travelling across West Sussex between September 2023 to April 2024 to support local businesses on all things digital. It will provide opportunities for local businesses to improve their digital capabilities, connect with other businesses and receive 1-2-1 support.
Each day of workshops will cover a number of essential topics. These will develop your digital skills and knowledge, and help your business grow. You can then choose which topics you most want to attend on each day. The core themes of the support are: Make Money, Reduce Costs, Save Time and Be Visible.
Supported by the West Sussex Councils and delivered by Freedom Works, Creative Bloom and Shake It Up Creative, the content of this programme has been carefully designed based on insights from previous West Sussex Councils business support programmes, as well as speaking to a range of local businesses about what support they require in this area.
Sign up now to book your place on one of their free events running up until April 2024.
Green business support
Green business support
See Invest Chichester green business support (opens new window) for information on what net zero means for your business.
Sustainable Support Grant Programme for SMEs
Chichester District Council recognises the challenges businesses face adapting to climate change and we are keen to offer support and assistance to help you to achieve a reduced carbon-based future.
The Council is releasing a limited amount of funds for use by SMEs to help on their sustainability journey. The grant can be used for the purchase and installation of materials and equipment, as well as specialist expertise / support.
The online applications link will open on Monday 6 January 2025 at 9am and applicants will have until Monday 27 January 2025 at 5pmto submit their application. Applications must be submitted online and with all relevant information attached. Any applications received after the above date will not be considered.
There are two levels of grant funding available to small businesses based in Chichester District -
Minor grant award
Grants of up to £1,000 are available for projects which will make a positive and sustainable contribution to your business. The grant made will be 75% of eligible costs, up to a maximum contribution of £1,000.
Major grant award
Grants of up to £7,500 are for climate-friendly projects which you can demonstrate will not only help future-proof your business but also underpin your business' climate and growth ambitions. The grant made will be 50% of eligible costs, up to a maximum contribution of £7,500.
For further details on the Sustainable Support Grant programme and eligibility requirements, see the available guidance notes:
Guidance notes sustainable support grant 2025 (Word doc, 28 KB)
Clean Growth Platform
The Net Zero 360 programme (opens new window) is the South East Hub of Clean Growth UK. They work with businesses to support low carbon and environmental business growth.
Low carbon business case studies
A growing number of West Sussex businesses, across sectors, are taking steps to better their environmental performance and improve their operations. They have inspiring and insightful stories that can help inform anyone considering adopting greener business solutions. Watch the YouTube series Low Carbon Business in West Sussex (opens new window) to hear their stories.
SME Climate Hub
The SME Climate Hub (opens new window) has partnered with Oxford University to support small businesses in reducing their carbon emissions and to provide climate solutions to contribute to climate action in society. The tools and resources on the SME Climate Hub website help all SMEs take concrete steps towards climate action across multiple pathways. They're the first step to getting started.
Take a look at the useful information on the website to find out how your business can reduce carbon emissions and gain a competitive edge.
Sustainability accelerator
Chichester District Council is proud to announce the launch of its new Sustainability Accelerator (opens new window) designed to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the Chichester District area to understand, measure, manage, improve, and report their sustainability practices.
Whether you're looking to build a sustainability strategy, drive business growth, stand out from the crowd, FuturePlus is the tool to get you there.
As part of the programme, you'll gain instant access to their impact certified accreditation, a personalised sustainability "to-do list" and a downloadable impact report for your business.
This fully funded initiative is open to companies throughout the district in all sectors.
Participants will gain access to the Future Plus Platform (opens new window) as well as personalised guidance from expert FuturePlus Advisors to help them assess their current sustainability status, set future goals, and the tools to achieve meaningful progress. There is scope to increase your understanding through additional workshops and webinars.
As places on this programme are limited, we are asking all businesses who are interested in taking part to complete the online application form by Monday 23 September.
Business Continuity and Cyber security
Business continuity is about identifying, understanding and managing risks to the everyday running of a business or organisation. It helps you to prepare for an emergency or disruption, by planning different ways of working so that you can continue to deliver the key functions of your business during times of unexpected events.
See West Sussex County Council's businesses continuity (opens new window) webpage.
If you're a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) then there's around a 1 in 2 chance that you'll experience a cyber security breach.
Falling victim to cyber crime can be devastating for your business, and when you consider that SMEs make up 99.9% of Britain's 5.5 million private sector businesses, it represents a real threat to the whole of the UK economy.
The National Cyber Security Centre (opens new window) has produced a Small Business Guide to improve cyber security within your organisation - quickly, easily and at low cost.
Following the five quick and easy steps outlined in the guide could save time, money and even your business' reputation. This guide can't guarantee protection from all types of cyber attack, but the 5 steps outlined can significantly reduce the chances of your business becoming a victim of cyber crime.
Sussex Six Campaign
Sussex Six is a new campaign encouraging local shops, pubs, restaurants and cafés to stock more locally-sourced produce and shout about it! The campaign is also about enabling local producers to develop their skills in selling to local businesses.
Businesses who join Sussex Six and pledge to take on just six new locally-sourced products, will benefit from:
- Free publicity as part of a major two-year campaign including features in local media, websites and social media.
- Building relationships with new, local suppliers.
- Improving sustainability credentials by reducing food miles.
- Attracting new customers.
- Supporting a vibrant food and drink sector in the Chichester District.
Take part in Sussex Six
To join the campaign:
- Submit your Sussex Six pledge online (opens new window)
- Producers and suppliers - adopt our Sussex Six branding and be more proactive in selling locally business to business.
- Hospitality businesses - commit to taking on six new Sussex products on your shelves or menus.
- Feature the Sussex Six logo and window sticker provided, in your business.
Find out more and join Sussex Six (opens new window).
Developer & partner charter
The developer and partner charter is an informal voluntary agreement between Chichester District Council, developers, skills and training providers, and, where relevant, local businesses, to secure opportunities for local residents and local businesses arising from developments and associated business activities within the district.
Businesses are increasingly judged on the values they demonstrate. Adopting this charter is a public demonstration of those values. It shows a willingness to engage with the local community, support the local economy and it is not intended to be onerous or force partners to adhere to unachievable goals.
For more information about the charter, please see the relevant document.
Developer & Partner Charter (PDF, 83 KB)
Why sign up to the Developer & Partner Charter? (PDF, 247 KB)
Networking and events
The Chichester District boasts a variety of events and opportunities to meet and network with other businesses. The district council also works in partnership with local organisations to provide a rich variety of events, opportunities and discussion forums for the development of local people and businesses.
Chartered Management Institute (CMI) (opens new window)
Chichester BID website (opens new window)
Chichester Chamber of Commerce and Industry (opens new window)
Petworth Business Association (opens new window)
Federation of Small Businesses (fsb) (opens new window)
Free mentoring for independent high street businesses
As part of our Independent Retail Support Programme, Chichester District Council is funding one-to-one mentoring and support. This is an opportunity for eligible businesses to access expert advice at no cost. Whether it i breaking through barriers, or creating new ideas and strategies.
High street businesses can now access fully funded expertise from The Retail Champion (opens new window)
Feeling overwhelmed by social media, accounts, or marketing plans? Their experts are here to help!
Enjoy up to 12 hours of tailored one-on-one support for your needs, including:
- Website and EPOS improvement
- Supply chain optimisation
- Pricing and promotion strategy
- Effective visual merchandising
To be eligible, your businesses must be independent in:
- retail
- hospitality or
- hair and beauty
Your business must also be operating in a business premises in one of the high streets in Chichester, East Wittering, Petworth, Midhurst or Selsey.
To find out more or to arrange an introductory call, eligible businesses should contact Clare Bailey at: clare.bailey@retailchampion.co.uk or call 07462 218000.
Limited slots available — don't miss out!
Contact us
For further information and advice email business.support@chichester.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can phone us on 01243 534669.
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