The Welland Enterprise Agency

Welland Enterprise is a non-profit making company formed in 2004 to support people starting and running small businesses in the Welland area. We have two offices in the area, one in Grantham and another in Lutterworth.

Our work is funded from a variety of sources including Central and Local Government, Business Link and the East Midlands Development Agency via the Welland SSP. We also receive sponsorship from commercial organisations such as Barclays Bank, NatWest and accountants.

The Agency is a member of the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies and is DTI accredited.

We have a team of business Advisers, many of whom have run their own businesses, who visit businesses and meet with clients in our offices. Most of our services are FREE to clients.

the main course ... the free lunch!

What we offer:

• 1:1 advice from a professional business adviser

• Half day business start-up information seminars

• Marketing Guidance and hands-on assistance

• Guidance on face to face and telephone sales

• Help with managing finance and book keeping

• Volunteer business mentors for on-going support

for dessert...

Most of the support detailed below is free; sometimes it may be chargeable. That may depend on where you are based or simply upon our budgets at a particular time. One thing you will find is that it is excellent value for money and could, in many cases, make or save you much more than it costs.

Here are a few examples; you'll get some work done for you, but we always endeavour to 'transfer skills' to you as well.

• Design and write a series of professional leaflets, adverts or a brochure

• Advise on planning a media/promotional campaign

• Write a comprehensive Business Plan

• Help you set up an online shop or web site

• Train and accompany you on sales visits to potential new customers

• Plan a field sales campaign

• Design and prepare sales presentations

• Choose and implement a book keeping system

coffee & mints ...

Money!? There are schemes run in the District and County Councils in the Welland area that offer Business Start Up Grants and low cost loans. The grants may depend on an equal contribution for yourself. We don't run these schemes, but we can offer you help in making an application and developing a Business Plan. (A Business Plan is always required). We can also help if you are approaching banks for finance.

It's important to bear in mind that if you start up your business or project before finding out detailed information on these schemes, you might become ineligible. Call us straight away for more information.