| Business Support Single projects or production companies can often make use of number of generally available schemes for small and medium sized businesses. There is a large network of non-profit making organisations, local and national government schemes and high street banks in each area that can be approached. Business Support Networks England- Business Link Signpost Line - 0845 756 7765 Wales- Business Connect - 0845 796 9798 Northern Ireland- Local Enterprise Development Unit - 028 9049 1031 Scotland- Scottish Business Shops - 0800 787878 www.businesslink.co.uk Overview Business Links, Business Connect, the Local Enterprise Development Unit and Scottish Business Shops are a national network of DTI supported organisations that form partnerships with local authorities, Chambers of Commerce and other business support agencies to assist small and medium size businesses. There are offices covering all areas of the UK with teams of advisors available to give advice to new and established businesses. Support is primarily in the form of advice on business development, employment matters, securing premises and IT. Financial support, such as loans and grants, is not normally directly available. However, these Business Support organisations advise on grants and co-ordinate a number of schemes in most local areas. Typical schemes involve growth and development funds, which act as lenders of last resort, and payment for initial fees with external advisors such as design companies or management consultants. Nearest offices can be located through the central number or web site. Career Development Loans Central Information Line - 0800 585 505 Via branches of Barclays Bank, Clydesdale Bank, The Co-Operative Bank and The Royal Bank of Scotland. Overview Loans of between £200 and £8000 are available for full time, part time or open learning vocational courses. Funding for up to 80% of costs can be borrowed for courses fees, books, materials and other course related costs. In the case of full time courses some living expenses can be covered by the loan. The scheme provides for the government to pay the loan interest during the course and for up to 3 months afterwards, or 6 months for people registered as unemployed. Most film related courses are vocational and covered by the loans. For example, the scheme can be used to fund full or part-time attendance at the National Film and Television School or Ravensbourne. Department of Trade & Industry General Enquiries - 020 7215 5000 www.dti.gov.uk Free Publications Order Line
Tel 0870 1502 500
Fax 0870 1502 333
dtipubs@echristian.co.uk Overview The DTI aims to promote enterprise, innovation and increased productivity by encouraging successful business start-ups and by increasing the capacity of business to grow, to invest and to develop skills. In addition to providing resources to organisations such as Enterprise Agencies the department directly funds schemes such as the Enterprise Grant Scheme and the Loan Guarantee Scheme. The DTI Publications Unit provides a free source of general business guidance information and publications for specific funding schemes or support services. The publications section of the DTI web site has a searchable catalogue. Loan Guarantee Scheme Administered through most high street banks and certain other lenders. Information booklet available from the banks, Business Support Agencies and the DTI Overview The Loan Guarantee Scheme offers a means for small businesses to gain loan finance where a conventional loan cannot be obtained due to a borrower's lack of security or track record. The scheme operates by providing a government guarantee to lenders against default on loans of between £5,000 and £250,000 made to borrowers engaged in certain types of business activity. If a loan is under £30,000 the lending bank can approve an application without referring the matter to the DTI unit managing the scheme. In return for a 1.5% premium on the loan the DTI guarantees 70% of the outstanding amount, or 85% in the case of businesses trading for two years or more. In a case where there is default the lender can still seek recovery against the borrower, possibly by way of liquidation. Film production is an activity covered by the scheme, but its use as a source of funds for a production ultimately depends on the assessment of a project by individual bank managers. Local Enterprise Agencies National Federation of Enterprise Agencies. 01234 354 055 www.nfea.com Overview Local Enterprise Agencies are a network of over 290 organisations focussing on the development of new start-up businesses and the development of small businesses. Support is generally in the form of advice and seminars on basic business matters such as marketing, forecasting cash flow and business tax. LEAs can also advise on specific financial assistance in their locality such as regeneration area grants and development funds. The National Federation of Enterprise Agencies can locate the appropriate LEA for a business and operate a searchable website database of offices. Local Government Contact local council office Overview Local government can offer advice and resources to either a resident individual or business within their local authority area. Support varies by area, and can come in the form of arts support or business support. Local authorities will also have a list of other local business support schemes in the area. Livewire Shell Live Wire
Hawthorn House
Forth Banks
Newcastle upon Tyne
Ne1 3SG Tel 0191 261 5584
Fax 0191 261 1910 shell-livewire@projectne.co.uk
www.shell-livewire.org Overview Livewire is a national programme supported by Shell to help young entrepreneurs aged 16-30 start their own business. Several comprehensive, free publications are available covering topics such as market research and writing business plans. Livewire can co-ordinate approaches with local Business Links to enable local support to be initiated. Young Business Start Up Awards Competitive awards of up to £10,000 are available at a local, regional and national level from an annual fund of £200,000. By winning a top award at one level entrants move up to the next stage of the competition. Eligible businesses for the competition must submit a business plan and must have been trading for between 3 and 18 months. The Prince's Trust The Prince's Trust
18 Park Square East
London
NW1 4LH Tel 0800 842 842
www.princes-trust.org.uk Overview The Trust provides loans and grants to support young entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 30 to start or develop their own businesses. In addition to free advice and mentoring the Trust provides low interest loans up to £5,000, marketing grants up to £250 and discounted exhibition space and specialist advice. Community based projects can receive grants up to £10,000. The Trust has local offices in some areas to support the mentoring process and works closely with other local organisations such as Business Links. Small Firms Training Loans Department for Education and Employment- 0800 132 660. Local branches of Barclays Bank, Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale, The Co-operative, HSBC, Lloyds TSB, NatWest and The Royal Bank of Scotland. Overview Support through interest free loans is available to businesses with up to 50 employees to pay for vocational education or training. Loans of between £500 and £125,000 can be borrowed to cover up to 90% of training related costs such as course fees, books and staff cover, up to an average of £5,000 per employee. The interest free period runs for 13 months. Enterprise Grant Scheme Government Office for applicable region: North West 0161 952 4122 Yorkshire & The Humber 0113 233 8390 East Midlands 0115 971 2598 West Midlands 0121 212 5118 North East 0191 201 3300 South East 01483 882547 London 020 7217 3239 East of England 01223 346700 South West 01752 635 000 Overview Enterprise Grants are a form of financial assistance for small and medium sized businesses investing in capital projects in Enterprise Grant Areas, which would otherwise no proceed. Small businesses can receive grants of up to 15% of capital costs and medium sized businesses grants of up to 7.5% (or 15% if in an assisted area). Awards are discretionary and each regional Government Office follows different selection processes and criteria. | 
