Business Advice

If you are thinking of setting up a business in Preston, looking to expand, need support with recruitment and training or require financial support, the information below provides an overview of where to go to find business advice and support in the following areas:

COVID-19 support

For help and support for businesses affected by coronavirus see business support COVID-19.

Start-up support

If you're looking to kick start a business in Preston, you can find a range of local business advice and support services to help you get established, alongside financial support options and other useful information to help you set up successfully by visiting Invest Preston - business start up support.

Development support

If you have an existing business and are looking to grow and develop it further, you can find a range of local help and advice, plus funding options and other useful information to assist you in driving forward with your business and taking it to the next level by visiting Invest Preston - business development support.

Recruitment, apprenticeships, and training support

For advice and support around recruitment and apprenticeships to help you find the right employees to help make your business a success, plus assistance around upskilling your staff and improving skills within your team visit Invest Preston - business training and recruitment support.

Financial support (loans and grants)

To find out about current local and national financial support available to help kick start a new business or assist in growing and developing an existing business visit Invest Preston - business finance support.

Find a premises or workspace

To search for available council owned business premises in Preston see our business property search.

Office space

If you're looking for a smaller workspace to do business, the following premises offer special services for companies such as incubation support, co-working, virtual offices and rent-a-desk:

Local business networks

There are a variety of business networking groups in and around Preston, which make great opportunities to promote your business and gain useful contacts. To find out current networking groups in Preston visit Invest Preston - business networks.

Local business events

To find out what business events, expos, conferences and exhibitions are happening in and around the city visit Invest Preston - business events.

For wider events taking place around Lancashire visit Boost Lancashire - Events.

The North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce also host a number of free events and training alongside their paid for events. For details visit Lancs Chamber - events.