Support

Enterprising Barnsley

Enterprising Barnsley is a programme of support from Barnsley Development Agency for local eligible businesses. Barnsley Development Agency is the department of Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council responsible for local business investment and development. Our team of Business Development Managers liaise closely with local businesses helping them to access support through the Enterprising Barnsley programme.

Enterprising Barnsley offers coaching support, access to networking events, low cost desk space, business incubation and graduate business services. These services are delivered by a network of experienced and knowledgeable partners who know about business, have run businesses and who want to help your business grow.

The Enterprising Barnsley programme is free to access for eligible businesses (criteria includes being Barnsley based, growth potential and sector) so contact us to find out if you are eligible. To date, we have supported over 450 businesses and helped to create over 480 new jobs. We have hosted a range of free events including HR networks, an Energy Week networking event and sector specific events for the creative and digital industries.

Enterprising Barnsley is funded by the European Regional Development Fund as part of Europe’s support for the region’s economic growth.

Enterprising Barnsley is a partnership delivered programme between Barnsley Development Agency, BBIC and University of Huddersfield

Start Up Business

Starting a new business is a challenging and rewarding time. Barnsley Development Agency and the Enterprising Barnsley programme is here to help people in Barnsley who want to start their own business.

You may have a basic business idea that you need to develop, are a serial entrepreneur requiring further support or a self-employed freelancer looking to expand.  Whatever stage you are at as a start-up business the Enterprising Barnsley programme can help you.

Our qualified Business Development Managers will meet with you to discuss your business ideas and point you in the right direction of how the programme may help you. This could be in the form of:

  • Practical business coaching from qualified experts in areas such as Marketing, HR, Health & Safety and Accounting skills.
  • Help with finding offices or premises Intensive business incubation service
  • Relevant events and workshops for your business
  • Access to information sources and contacts applicable to your new business

If you have recently graduated from University and are thinking of starting a business in Barnsley you may be eligible for other specific support.

Access To Finance

Barnsley Development Agency can work with business to source and access finance packages. We work with Finance Yorkshire and others to keep abreast of funding available for business and eligible companies may be able to access coaching support via our Enterprising Barnsley programme to help them develop the knowledge to access this funding.

The Agency retains a positive relationship with local banks and can signpost business angel and venture finance initiatives.

Finance is a difficult topic even in boom times, and the current economic situation has made this subject even more contentious.

HR Business Consultant

Barnsley businesses have access to a professional HR Business Consultant as part of our packages of support for local business. Advice and support is available on a range of HR and recruitment topics, and we can support with salary comparisons, links to recruitment agencies, access to the latest information on training and training funding and more. We organise regular HR network events which cover topics such as employment law, performance management, employee engagement and pensions.

Events

General networking events help to improve your business contacts and our specific speaker events provide you with up to date business advice on a variety of topics.  We also have a variety of different networks useful for businesses operating in areas such as Creative, Digital, HR and Start-Ups

Previous events have included Barnsley Futures which raised £5000 for local athletes to support their training and competition costs, Thinking Digital Barnsley, a fringe event of the Thinking Digital conference in The Sage, Gateshead and a Renewable Energy event showcasing the best in green technology.

A list of upcoming events can be seen at www.enterprisingbarnsley.co.uk/events