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Working for yourself in Ashfield

In the UK, approximately 13 percent of workers are self-employed. Before COVID-19, this number was steadily on the rise; there were more than 5 million self-employed people in the UK at the start of 2020, compared to just 3.2 million in 2000.

Guidance on becoming self-employed

COVID-19 seems to have briefly disrupted this steady growth, bringing to light the many benefits and potential drawbacks of self-employment during a pandemic. If you’re reading this, you’re likely ready to take the leap to become an entrepreneur, freelancer, or contractor, and need some guidance on how to get started.

It’s important to keep at the top of your mind that as with any new endeavour, working for yourself can be a huge risk, and proper preparation is key.

Where to start

You can find lots of information on starting and running businesses, including marketing, finance, sales and human resources, on the ‘Start a business’ section of the Entrepreneur Handbook website and the working for yourself section of the GOV.UK website.

You can also get help by attending a free business start-up course, such as:

NBV Enterprise Solutions Ltd

Anyone can start a business; you just need the right guidance and support and that is where NBV step in. Whether you have an amazing idea, have spotted a gap in the market or have taken a break from your business and are now ready to re-start trading with some fresh ideas, NBV can help you get things off the ground.

Prince’s Trust free enterprise programme

This is for 18 to 30-year-olds living in the UK, who want to start their own business. There are 4 stages to the programme, including a 4-day workshop, business planning, and idea testing with help of a mentor and a business launch stage with access to a low-interest business loan of £5000.

Kick Off in business course

This is a free online course to help individuals that are interested in becoming self-employed. The course will explore useful topics such as:

  • The formalities of setting up
  • Legal requirements and insurances
  • Finance, money, and grants
  • Opportunities and risks
  • Business planning
  • Branding
  • Creating an identity
  • Finding a USP
  • Building a proposition
  • Social media and marketing.

Head Start - Enterprising Ashfield project

Whether you want to be your own boss, get that side-hustle off the ground, start generating some passive income, or just get a better work/life balance, Nottingham Trent University can help.

You’ll receive:

  • Free 1-2-1 advice and coaching
  • Free workshops and training on how to set up and run a business
  • £1000 grant to help get you started.

If you live, work, or intend to set up a business in the towns of Kirkby in Ashfield or Sutton in Ashfield, you could be eligible for support through the Enterprising Ashfield project to get you started on your journey.

Head Start advisers will walk you through establishing a new business in those important early months. They will guide you through everything you need to know, and you don’t need to have any prior knowledge or experience in running a business.

To enquire about support to set up your own business in the Kirkby or Sutton in Ashfield areas, please contact:

Ingenuity Impact Programme

This is a free national innovation and entrepreneurship programme that empowers people to turn ideas for change into exciting new ventures which impact social, health or environmental challenges. It can provides start-up skills training, mentoring and networking opportunities, plus routes to funding for early-stage business ideas. Its being delivered by University of Nottingham and provides both in person and online support activities.

Business and Intellectual Property Centres (BIPC)

Did you know that your local library offers business start up support? Whether you’re just starting out, need advice on protecting your intellectual property, or are ready to take the next step in your business journey, then visit BIPC locals in selected libraries or engage with them online.

Skills Bootcamps

Skills Bootcamps are free flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, for people looking for a new role or job opportunity. If you’re self-employed, you’ll be able to use the training to seek new opportunities for your business.

There are fully-funded courses available in many business sectors including:

  • Business administration
  • Construction
  • Engineering
  • Green skills
  • Digital
  • HGV driving
  • Hospitality.

Visit the Skills Bootcamps website and find the right course to help set up your business.

Incubation offices

You also need to consider where you will deliver your services. Do you need your own office? Can you take a desk in a shared space? If you only require space for a few hours a week, then you could look at co-working or hot desk spaces.

Ashfield District Council has some low-cost incubation offices to help support young, growing businesses. You can email the estates team directly to ask about available offices in the following buildings:

Local markets

If you want to explore a retail space, then a good way to experience this is to have a stall on one of our local markets.

Retail premises

If you would like help to find retail premises, then we recommend you look at:

Business Support Team

Did you know that we have a Business Support web page? Here you can find information that will support you in starting and growing your business.

We also have a Business Support Team that can arrange a meeting with you to offer advice.

Webpage last updated: 20 February 2025