Support for businesses in the Harrogate area

There is a range of support available to help businesses in the Harrogate area from start up advice, funding to apprenticeships.

Starting a business

If you are starting a new business there are a range of support services available from national government and local organisations. Here are a sample of organisations that can offer support:

Business Enterprise Fund

A not for profit social enterprise providing finance and support to SME businesses in the North. Further details are available on the Business Enterprise Fund website.

Connecting Innovation

A specialist innovation programme delivered by the LEP Partnership to help eligible businesses access funding or grants to support projects. For details visit the LEP website.

GOV.UK business

The GOV.UK website provides details on a business support helpline, funding and advice for setting up and growing a business. There is also information about setting up as a sole trader on their GOV.UK working for yourself web page.

The Prince’s Trust

The trust provides grants for micro, small and medium businesses being set up by people aged 18-30. Details can be found on The Prince’s Trust website.

Social Enterprise

Details on social enterprises including funding can be found on the Social Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber website and the GOV.UK’s set up a social enterprise web page.

Start Up Loan Company

A government backed scheme to help individuals start or grow a business, including finance and online advice. Details can be found on the Start Up Loans website.

West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

The West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce website provides a range of information on grants, skills, importing and exporting for those starting and growing a business.

York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub

The York and North Yorkshire Growth website provides information on webinars, telephone helpline and support services for people starting a business.

Free business support

Business support drop-in days

Whether you are starting a new business or developing your company, you are welcome to call into our free business support drop-in days. You can chat through your ideas, ask questions and access free, expert advice from the local business support specialists from the growth manager service and North Yorkshire Growth Hub.

Our business drop-in days are hosted at the Harrogate Co-Lab.

Connect over a cuppa support sessions

Our growth managers run ‘connect over a cuppa’ sessions which are free in-person sessions for businesses that are looking to take the next step, innovate and grow. With a key theme each month and guest experts, we cover the business issues that matter the most.

For further details and to register for a session visit the Eventbrite website.

Business networking groups

There are a number of networking groups in the area:

Social media training and support

We are working with Maybe, an online platform that helps businesses improve the results they achieve through social media.

The platform is packed full with social media tools and support to help businesses increase their use of social media, plan and schedule content, and increase customer engagement, footfall and sales.

Any business within the Harrogate area is eligible for a free 12 month Maybe account which will provide you with access to training, tools and expert support.

To find out more and sign up visit the Maybe website.

Economic growth strategy

The aims of our Economic Growth Strategy (2017-2035) are to grow business and create high value jobs and a boost in average workplace wages in the Harrogate area.

These aims will be achieved by delivering interventions in the following areas:

  • land and buildings for growth 
  • skills for growth – details can be viewed in our  skills for growth action plan (pdf / 2 MB)
  • targeted business support
  • conditions for growth: digital and telecoms
  • conditions for growth: transport
  • branding and promotion

Support for growing businesses

Our growth managers offer free, tailored support for local businesses that are looking to grow, working alongside the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub.

The support available includes access to: 

  • grants and loans and finance providers 
  • support for recruitment, skills and workforce development 
  • support to help your company export 
  • advice for research and to develop products/processes 
  • support to develop digital capabilities 
  • reducing business costs and environmental impact by being resource efficient 

You can contact us for further information.

Helping to reduce crime against businesses

If you are worried about crime and anti-social behaviour affecting your business, you may wish to join the Harrogate District Businesses Against Crime partnership. Further details can be found on our Harrogate businesses against crime page.

Subscribe to our business newsletter

Our Business team regularly produces a free e-newsletter called Business@Harrogate which provides the latest news on: 

  • events
  • funding
  • business support

Register to receive our business e-newsletter.

Contact us

For all business support enquiries please contact us.

For further information about doing business in the Harrogate area visit the Invest Harrogate website.