Business advice, funding and resources

Information is available to help you understand what the UK leaving the EU means for your business:

• The government’s transition checklist provides a personalised list of actions for businesses on the new rules for travel and doing business with Europe.
• Coast to Capital offers post UK exit advice.
• Surrey Chambers of Commerce and Sussex Chamber of Commerce provide international trade advice.
• Government guidance is available to help businesses which bring goods in, or move goods out of the UK, or EU to get the right commodity code, as well as guidance explaining the new tariffs on goods imported into the UK.
• Government guidance sets out the actions businesses, hauliers and passengers need to take on UK borders. Advice is also available for businesses unsure if they need an export licence.

A Business Improvement District (BID) is a business-led and business funded body formed to improve a defined commercial area.

We have two BIDs in Tandridge, the Caterham BID is based in Caterham Valley and Love Oxted in Oxted.

• Ofgem helps on businesses' energy complaints, microbusiness gas or electricity and provides advice on energy efficiency schemes.
• Compare business energy quotes at Uswitch for business.

• The Carbon Trust helps businesses and the public sector to cut carbon emissions and supports the development of low carbon technologies.
• Surrey County Council's website includes information on where businesses can dispose of and recycle waste.
• Surreys Greener Future Surreys greener future provide support measures in lowering carbon emissions from their buildings and operations and saving money to help reach Net Zero by 2050.

• Action Surrey can help small to medium sized business, reduce energy costs and your carbon footprint. They can also determine if you are eligible for grants or other finance contributions towards the cost of the installing energy efficiency improvements to your property.

• UK Business Climate Hub The UK Business Climate Hub includes a free carbon calculator and a suite of new tools to help businesses measure, track and report on their emissions and save money by using less energy. It offers detailed advice on everything from sourcing products from green suppliers and reducing emissions from freight and logistics to the most cost-effective ways of installing solar panels and electric vehicle (EV) charging points.

• £1.2m Rural England Prosperity Funding available for small businesses and community groups to grow the rural economy. Grants of up to £50,000 are now available to fund projects that will have a positive impact on businesses and communities in the rural areas of Guildford, Waverley and Tandridge. Applicants can apply for up to 50% of capital costs for projects which create jobs or grow the local rural economy. Applications can be made on Surrey County Council's website.
• Surrey County Council's A3 Electric Vehicle grant scheme is offering up to £10,000 grants to businesses driving on the A3 in Guildford to switch their diesel to a new fully electric van.
• DWP offers free support with your recruitment, including; online job listings, advertising and events.
• Government Grants. You can browse and search through the list of available government grants and see if your business is eligible to apply for them.
• You can also search for Net Zero funding opportunities through Service Innovate for businesses and researchers. 
• Enterprise Nation provide a search hub to offer personalised finance options for startups, small businesses, and sole traders. 

• Surrey Chambers of Commerce runs a programme of events for members and non-members, including business networking, training opportunities and speaker breakfasts.
• Lingfield Chamber of Commerce supports and connects local businesses of all sizes, to help improve the appearance and general business environment of the village.
• Federation of Small Business regularly publishes guidance and advice to help small businesses and the self-employed.
• Coast to Capital can provide business advice, support & strategic leadership to help small & medium enterprises. Businesses in Tandridge can access a Funded deep dive with one of our in-house Business Account Managers to identify obstacles, set priorities, create strategies & tactics for growth as well as signpost to relevant, local initiatives & organisations for support. To speak to a Growth Relationship Manager, complete an online request form.
• Department for Business and Trade helps businesses operating in export and global markets.
• DWP can provide advice and support for recruiting staff.
• Trade Association Forum provides trade associations with the same support they provide their own members.
• Enterprise Nation helps connects you to the resources and expertise to help small businesses succeed.
• Gatwick Diamond has an excellent business support network and access to key decision makers in local authorities and financial institutions. 

Training 

• Free Green Skills training in trades and construction and boost your future earnings and start building your green reputation today.
• The Retrofit Academy (TRA) has been awarded £1 million of funding from Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to offer retrofit training and qualifications in England, to help upskill workers.
• The Surrey Chambers of Commerce website offers a hub of training opportunities.
• Skills Bootcamps Hampshire County Council offers Skills bootcamps  funded training for employees based in Surrey and Hampshire in Digital marketing, cyber security and green retrofit skills.
• Employability hub provides the skills and qualifications to progress into an apprenticeship, job or higher-level training in construction or care sector. For more information, please e-mail the Employability Hub.
• Nescot College delivers all levels of apprenticeships across a wide range of industries. It can also help businesses reach local employees with industry-relevant knowledge and practical skills. For more information, please e-mail the Business Centre, or call on 0208 394 8593.
• East Surrey College offer a range of courses (funded and part funded) to businesses, residents and staff. They also offer a range of apprenticeships and careers support.
• John Ruskin is a Further Education College in Croydon offering a wide range of Full-time courses.

Webinars

• HMRC’s range of free webinars support businesses, helping to make tax matters easier, quicker, and simpler. Webinars cover topics including PAYE, self-employment, VAT, record keeping and other topics. They last about an hour and are live and interactive so questions can be asked by participants.