Council Services

Details of our services related to business are available from the Business page - these include business rates, commercial property to let or buy, trading standards, food safety and standards, contracts and licensing

Government Services - 'Solutions for Business'

'Solutions for Business' is the government's simplified portfolio of business support products and is now in place.  This is in response to requests from businesses seeking a simpler support system that would help them with common issues such as accessing finance, training and exporting.  Now, for the first time, all government business support is in one place, easily recognisable and accessed through Business Link.  Details of the 'Solutions for Business' product portfolio are out in the PDF file on the right-hand side of this page. To reach 'Solutions for Business' services, go to Business Link Yorkshire

Government Services - government contracts

Every small business in the UK will now have free access to thousands of lower-value government contracts on the Government's website called supply2.gov.uk

For three years,  supply2.gov.uk has advertised thousands of public sector procurement opportunities worth up to £100,000 - making the website ideally suited to small and medium-sized businesses.

The fee that was previously charged to search the site across the UK will now be removed, providing firms with better access to public sector contacts to help their businesses grow.

Full details may be found on the Supply2.gov.uk site.

Government Services - Trade Credit Insurance Top-up Scheme changes

The Government has announced changes to the Trade Insurance Top-up Scheme which apply from 20th August 2009 - there are three changes to the scheme's rules:

• The price of the top-up cover has been reduced from 2% to 1%
• There is no minimum on the amount of cover which may be bought
• There has been an increase on limit of cover which may be bought to £2 million

The scheme is open to businesses which trade within the UK and which have seen since 1st October 2008:

• a reduction in their credit insurance
• a withdrawal and then a partial reinstatement.

The scheme will accept applications until 31st December 2009.  It allows suppliers to purchase six months' Government-backed insurance to either restore cover to the original level or double the amount they are able to obtain from the private sector (whichever is the lower) up to a maximum value of £2 million.

To apply, or for further information, companies should contact their trade credit insurer or broker.  Further information is also available through Business Link at the credit insurance page.

Whyte Knight Enterprise Fund

Along with Aviva and other city partners we have created an enterprise fund to assist business start-ups in the city. If you are thinking of starting your own business, or need help to grow and support a business which is not more than 3 years old, grants and free professional advice are available. The York Business Advice Centre has further details about the Whyte Knight fund.

The fund is managed by the York, Selby and Malton Business Advice Centre, who are also on hand for a wide range of further free advice and support. Tel: (01904) 699590

The Eco Business Centre

The centre is an exciting new building which provides a complete range of services to new, and growing, small businesses in York. In addition to on-site professional business advice and support, it offers low cost starts in excellent office and workshop accommodation on easy leasing terms. The building has been designed to minimise its impact on the environment - is heated and cooled by ground-source heating, harvests rainwater for re-use and has its own wind-turbine. Further details about the centre can be found at its website.
Tel: 0800 980 3190
Web: www.yorkecobusinesscentre.co.uk

York Professionals

York Professionals is a dynamic members' organisation which facilitates direct contact with the individuals and companies you may need to support your business and help it grow. With over 100 members, the organisation provides effective links into York's vibrant business community, through business and networking events. York Professionals also facilitate access to a wide range of professional services including business support, financial services, information technology, legal, marketing, people and property.
Web: www.york-professionals.co.uk

Science City York

Science City York is instrumental in driving the creation and growth of business and employment opportunities across York and North Yorkshire within three fast-growing technology sectors - bioscience, creative industries, and IT & digital. Their work is helping to build a prosperous future for York and North Yorkshire as an internationally-recognised centre of excellence for research, innovation and enterprise.
Tel: (01904) 870040
Web: www.sciencecityyork.org.uk

York Enterprise 

York Enterprise is part of the City Council’s economic development function and provides a number of key services to conserve, develop and attract business, jobs and investment to the city.  As such York Enterprise provides the following services for businesses;

• Property and Investment enquiries - with a strong commitment to customer service, York Enterprise, working with local agents and developers, provides a service both for businesses already located in the city and those who would like to establish or relocate here.  There is a strong sense of partnership and commitment to customer service between our local property surveyors and York Enterprise to both develop existing business and attract new investment into the city.
• Key Account Management - around fifty companies of strategic importance to the city have been identified and through York Enterprise the city council will work with them, seeking to establish close working relationships to attract investment and both safeguard and generate jobs.
• Marketing the city to attract investment - York Enterprise has key responsibility in the council for attracting investment to the city, and the council welcomes opportunities to work together with a wide range of key organisations to maximise York's potential.  The council is keen to make the most of opportunities to achieve new investment, jobs and sustainable growth.
• York Enterprise website - this website provides the key information about the City of York which any business manager considering starting or relocating to the city needs to know.  With a vibrant and resilient economy which has weathered the recession well and is looking forward to recovery and growth, this website is both a valuable resource and the initial point of contact for information about York. You may see the website here.
  

 Tel: (01904) 641118
Web: http://www.yorkenterprise.net

E-mail: its.all@yorkenterprise.net

Leeds, York & North Yorkshire Chamber

The Chamber plays a major role in assisting the sustainable economic growth of the sub-region. The chamber represents the interests of business on a range of local and regional issues with local councils, strategic partnerships and MPs. It also offers opportunities to raise the profile of businesses and develop contacts through a diary of national events. In addition it also offers a wealth of cost-saving benefits to assist business profitably.
Tel: (01904) 567838
Web: www.yourchamber.org

Without Walls

This is the name for York's Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) a body representing all the major public agencies in the city which shape it's development. Collectively the LSP plans for the long term future of the city. Their strategy is divided into a number of elements to reflect the priorities for the city's development. The page below provide further information on these priorities including those relating to the city's prosperity, its learning and skills agenda and the work which contributes to its sustained cultural vibrancy. Here you can read about the work of the city's Economic Development Partnership and Business Forum, which represents a significant number of businesses in the city and meets regularly to shape policy affecting the York's growth and prosperity.
Web: www.yorkwow.org.uk

Skills and Training

York Training Centre

York Training Centre is a training provider which is also part of City of York Council.  Based in central York and easily accessible, the centre offers a wide range of learning opportunities including Apprenticeships and vocational qualifications at various levels.
Tel: (01904) 554477
Web: www.yorktrainingcentre.co.uk

Future Prospects

Future Prospects provides free employment and learning advice, offering information and support on jobs, training, education, money and benefits.
Tel: 01904 634748
Web: www.futureprospects.org.uk

Higher York

Higher York is a partnership of the city's Higher Education institutions which seeks to increase choice and improves opportunities for more local people to enter higher education and training.
Web: www.higheryork.org

Graduates Yorkshire

Graduates Yorkshire is the leading graduate recruitment service in Yorkshire. Their website is dedicated to matching employers in the region with the best graduate talent around. Working in partnership with the region's 10 University Careers Services, they offer a range of recruitment related services to help graduates and employers find each other.
Web: www.graduatesyorkshire.co.uk

Train to Gain

Train to Gain provides an expert, impartial service as a tool for long-term business success by assisting the development of essential business skills. Train to Gain provide access to skills brokers, college or training providers, who'll offer expert skills advice at no cost. 
Web: www.traintogain.gov.uk/Helping_Your_Business/

Job Centre Plus

Can provide a range of services to help businesses with training, recruitment and redundancies.

Learning and Skills Council

The Learning and Skills Council exists to make England better skilled and more competitive. Specifically it seeks to raise participation and achievement by young people, increase adult demand for learning, raise skills levels for national competitiveness, improve the quality of education and training delivery, equalise opportunities through better access to learning and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the sector.
Web: www.lsc.gov.uk/regions/YorkshireHumber/

Regional and National

Connect Yorkshire

Seeks to link young knowledge-based enterprises to the resources they need to succeed: investment, markets, management, partners, and support services. As part of this process, they match innovative, ambitious companies with investors looking for growth
Web: www.connectyorkshire.org

Business Link Yorkshire

Provides advice and guidance on all aspects of business development and growth, including in areas such as finance, employing people, tax and environmental legislation, finding new customer and trading internationally. Further information about Business Link and its services can be found at its site below
Tel: 08456 048048
Web: www.businesslink.gov.uk/yorkshire

Federation of small businesses

The North Yorkshire Region has five branches with over 3,200 members and provides support and advice to small business. Nationally there are 215,000 members of the FSB
Web: www.fsb.org.uk/default.aspx?id=0&loc=071

Business Debtline

Provides free, confidential and independent advice on business debts
Tel:  0800 197 6026
Web: www.bdl.org.uk