Free support for fledgling Chelmsford businesses

Start-up businesses in the Chelmsford area are being offered expert advice, thanks to a new enterprise partnership between Colbea and Chelmsford City Council. The service was launched at a business advice and networking event held at Barclays Bank, Chelmsford on Friday 12 July.

Up to three free sessions with an accredited business advisor will be available, with advice covering a range of key issues including planning, finance, marketing and where to go for further help. The sessions will be held at the Civic Centre, Duke Street, Chelmsford CM1 1JE on a monthly basis.

The service is part of Connect with Colbea, which was launched at this week’s event. Connect with Colbea delivers enterprise support services across the whole of Essex to meet the growing demand of entrepreneurs seeking out expert business advice.

Colbea is a non-profit organisation. The service is fully-funded, thanks to Colbea’s efforts to generate additional revenue and direct it back into its core funded services for early-stage businesses. It is also thanks to the sponsorship of local businesses who are committed to supporting enterprise.

Ashleigh Seymour-Rutherford, Colbea Chief Executive says, “Expert 1:1 advice for businesses of all sizes has been shown time and again to be invaluable, yet the number of opportunities to access this crucial service just isn’t meeting demand. Connect with Colbea will change that, and offer pre-start, start-up, and emerging businesses across Essex the chance to access the support that could help them become Essex’s next business success story.”

Councillor Martin Bracken, Cabinet Deputy for the Economy and Small Business at Chelmsford City Council, said, “Chelmsford City Council is committed to helping deliver a Greener Chelmsford through encouraging sustainable economic growth. Starting a business is a huge step and the to-do list can seem overwhelming at first. There is a great deal of advice available online, some of which is conflicting. We are happy to partner with Colbea in providing these free sessions thatoffer advice from accredited experts on practical, relevant topics which should clear the confusion and help Chelmsford’s entrepreneurs get on the right track to success.”

To find out more or book your business advice sessions contact Colbea on 01206 548 833 or visit www.colbea.co.uk

Photo Credit and Ownership: Colbea