Start a business
Starting a business can be daunting and people often wonder where to start. There are some great sources of information and support available to help you get your business off the ground.
Advice and support
We provide a free business support service for people that want to start or grow their businesses.
- email: business.support@ashfield.gov.uk
- link: Book an appointment
Ashfield Test trading 0ppportunities gives people the opportunity to develop and try out their business ideas whilst trading to the public and access a small grant.
Our test trading places include guest spaces at local markets subject to availability and access to a small grant.
- link: Market opportunities
- link: Ashfield Markets Team
Is part of Enterprising Ashfield Programme and is available to anyone that lives or works in Sutton in Ashfield or Kirkby in Ashfield.
HeadStart can help you to develop your business idea into a commercial venture and participants gain access to £1000 grant.
- website: Enterprising Ashfield
Helps people aged 18 to 30 start their own business.
This is a free national innovation and entrepreneurship programme, providing start-up skills training, mentoring and networking opportunities, plus routes to funding for early-stage business ideas.
- website: Ingenuity Impact Programme
Assist tech businesses across the UK. They offer a range of programmes which will run for 2 years designed to boost the growth of UK tech start-ups and scale-ups. Barclays Eagle Labs is a government funded programme.
- website: Barclays Eagle Labs
Other sources of information
Nottingham City Library offer free business support through the Business and Intellectual Property Centre.
They can help you to develop your business ideas and plans, with access to professional market research, business directories, intellectual property advice and a range of workshops and networking events.
You can also email them to receive monthly news and events updates.
D2N2 Growth Hub is one of 30 Local Enterprise Partnerships working across England to support business growth.
They help by signposting you to the most appropriate business support through their website and a network of advisors based with partners across the region.
This website includes information on business support available from local and national sources including how to access finance, resource efficiency, supply chain development, employing and training your staff, and dates of local business events and seminars.
- website: Starting Up - D2N2
The Government website provides online guides and tutorials, a contracts finder, finance and business support finder, practical steps to setting up a business - such as registering, licensing, banking, VAT, National Insurance and employing people.
- telephone: 0845 600 9006
- website: GOV.UK
- website: Setting up a business - GOV.UK
- website: How to register a business at companies house - GOV.UK
HMRC provide online guides and tutorials including how to determine if you are employed or self-employed for tax purposes.
- website: HMRC
- website: HMRC on YouTube
Nottinghamshire County Council have a specialist commercial team of experienced Trading Standards Officers who have the most up to date knowledge of legislation and industry changes to help you achieve compliance and protect your business Trading.
Free 30 minute appointments are available.
Brings community groups and social enterprises together and with access to online resources.
- website: Ashfield Volunteer Action
Provide offer easy-to-use legal document generators help get your business started and achieve growth, drafted by qualified UK Lawyers.
- website: Free legal documents - Legal foundations - to help your business start and grow
- website: Free legal guides - Legal foundations
Related links
Page last updated 08 September 2025