At the present time, with the effects of the downturn as well as the marked reluctance of the Banking Industry to be flexible in terms of SME credit requirements, Chichester District Council as of 1st September 2010 have put into place Grant aid options (for those that qualify) to aid local SME’s.

With £250,000 discretionary funding available then those who apply and are able to meet the conditions – effectively special need and Rural Business – will be given Financial assistance.

Additionally, The council offers advice to Business in conjunction with other agencies within the area that provides not only an available contact point for the regional Business community on a regular basis, it offers that advice as a means to maintain as well as promote the interests of SME’s to develop the fabric and The enterprise of Chichester. With the “in Industry”  initiative highlighted some days ago promoted by UCC,  there is both an understanding as well as effort to promote – effectively – the area and the business community.

This includes networking initiatives as well as information on local business support services, information centres, support agencies, and for developed as well as new start ups.

So, with The Chichester chamber of Commerce as well as the more recent Coastal West Sussex partnership –  which is aimed at promotion of sustainable  community enterprise and investement along the coastal area – active,  opportunities for Chichester enterprise and SME’s to link in and access as much of this network as they choose are available.

First Friday at The Ship Hotel North Street, Chichester; and First Wednesday at the Seal, Selsey are a part of the business fabric where networking and exchange is the idea, and a part of what is available, with  every effort  being made to enable development as well as growth at this time.

There is also The 5 – Town network which extends this concept through to Bognor Regis, Littlehampton, Selsey, Worthing and Shoreham – by – Sea. They have their own recently launched website which promotes training as a contribution to Enterprise as well as development.

These initiatives are more than welcome to the Business community at this time – so if there are areas there that you would like to pursue, you may well be able to find as well as contribute resources that will help you grow.