Member Article

South East startup scene: Support, sustainability and success with The Let’s Do Business Group

As part of my series exploring the development of startups across the South East, I spoke to Anne Cooper at The Let’s Do Business Group in East Sussex about the changing landscape of entrepreneurship in the region, and how her organisation is helping to kickstart small businesses.

How long has The Let’s Do Business Group been running? And what kind of support does it offer start-ups in the region?

“The Let’s Do Business Group has been helping businesses for more than 20 years. Originating in Hastings as an Enterprise Agency and town Chamber of Commerce, we are now the leading provider of business advice, access to finance, training and business to business events in the South East of England.

“As well as our work directly with businesses we contract with a range of public and private sector partners to deliver projects and contracts – worth over £10m over the last 10 years.

“We offer support and access to finance for start-ups and established businesses alike.

“Our finance arm, Let’s Do Business Finance helps established companies who are unable to access commercial finance through the usual high street sources. Business Growth Loans, funded by the Regional Growth Fund enable successful businesses to grow and thrive. In the last year we’ve lent more than £700,000 to help 50 businesses to grow and expand, creating or sustaining 150 jobs.

“We are accredited providers of Growth Accelerator too, supporting businesses to flourish with expert advice. We also deliver dedicated support with location decisions in East Sussex and access to funding to help businesses grow, through our Locate East Sussex team.

“We offer plenty of support for budding entrepreneurs too. We can provide all the advice and guidance they need both before they start and in the early days to help them develop coherent business plans and launch viable and sustainable businesses.

“We are a delivery partner of Start Up Loans (SUL) scheme in the South of England. The SUL scheme helps fledgling businessmen and women to get new ventures off the ground, with mentoring and access to an affordable loan. We work with a team of volunteer business mentors who guide and support the start-up entrepreneurs, something many find invaluable in the early days.

“Since September 2012, when the scheme was introduced we’ve helped more than 500 businesses to start-up in the South, with investment totaling more than £3m and helping to create or sustain in excess of 1000 jobs.

“In addition we run free start-up workshops in Hastings and Eastbourne.”

How has the startup scene in East Sussex changed over recent years?

“We have seen real growth in the number of start-ups in East Sussex in recent years, it’s a vibrant and growing scene.

“Initiatives such as the SUL scheme, as well as the wealth of information and support now available to startups has meant that starting a business has become a viable option for those with a great idea and the drive to make it happen.”

Do you think economic issues, such as property prices in the city, have increased the number of businesses starting up in East Sussex?

“Certainly, through Locate East Sussex were are seeing an increased number of enquiries from companies that have been pushed out of London by high rental prices and loss of suitable properties, as many property owners are converting commercial space into residential.

“Business owners are now weighing up the pros and cons of being in London and with the benefits East Sussex brings, often deciding that the financial and non-financial costs of doing business in London is just not worth it.”

What are the benefits of starting a business in East Sussex rather than London?

“In addition to affordable property options, we are lucky to have new innovation parks and office space in development within Hastings, Eastbourne and Bexhill.

“Being based in East Sussex means easy access to a rich cultural offering such as the Jerwood Gallery in Hastings, De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill and Towner in Eastbourne, as well as some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK.

“Importantly for businesses, it gives them easy access to good transport links to London, Gatwick and the south coast.

“Startups are attracted by the strong business networks in the county, including Chambers of Commerce, The Federation of Small Businesses and access to business support providers.

“There are a lot of successful micro businesses and cultural entrepreneurs in the county too and a very strong community of small businesses that are willing to support and share their experiences.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .