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How to Start a Business in Stoke on Trent

Free start-up resources and useful local contacts.

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How to Start a Business in Stoke on Trent

Starting a business in Stoke On Trent

If you are thinking about starting a business in Stoke on Trent or would like to grow your existing business, we would love to help you.

Start Your Own Business in Stoke on Trent contains resources and the information that will help give your venture the best chance of success. It also highlights organisations who offer friendly advice and the services that you are likely to need as a new startup or local business owner.

Grants | Networking groups | Business advice | Mentoring | Co-working spaces

Starting a business in Stoke On Trent

Free Startup Resources

Getting it right from the start can help to prevent problems later.

To help you with this we have created a vast selection of resources and they are all completely free!

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or considering expanding your existing business to this vibrant city, you've come to the right place.

Stoke-on-Trent, known as the "Potteries" due to its rich history in pottery production, offers a unique blend of industrial heritage and creative innovation, making it an exciting location for startups and established enterprises alike.

Demographics

Stoke-on-Trent, situated in Staffordshire, is home to a diverse population of approximately 260,000 residents (as of 2021). The city attracts a mix of people from various backgrounds, including families, students, and professionals. With its strong manufacturing sector and emerging creative industries, Stoke-on-Trent provides a fertile ground for entrepreneurs to establish and grow their businesses.

Major Suburbs

Stoke-on-Trent is comprised of several major suburbs, each offering its own unique opportunities for businesses. Here are some notable suburbs:

  • Burslem: Known as the "Mother Town" of the Potteries, Burslem has a rich history in pottery and ceramics. It offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, attracting artists and creative businesses.
  • Hanley: As the city center of Stoke-on-Trent, Hanley is a bustling hub with a range of retail, entertainment, and dining options. It presents opportunities for businesses looking to cater to a diverse and dynamic urban market.
  • Longton: Longton has a strong heritage in pottery and is known for its independent retailers and traditional market. It offers a supportive environment for small businesses and niche markets.
Local Authority

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is the local authority responsible for governing and developing the area. Their website provides valuable resources and information for businesses, including licensing, planning, and economic development initiatives. You can access the business section of their website for specific guidance and support:

Stoke-on-Trent City Council - Business

Business Support Organisations

Stoke-on-Trent offers a range of organisations that provide support and resources for entrepreneurs and businesses. Here are some notable organisations you can turn to for assistance:

  • Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub: The Growth Hub offers free business support, advice, and access to funding opportunities for startups and growing businesses in the area. Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub
  • Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce: The Chambers of Commerce provides networking events, business support services, and representation for local businesses. Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce
  • Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP): The LEP focuses on driving economic growth in the region and supports businesses through various initiatives and funding schemes. Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP

Whether you need guidance on business planning, funding, or want to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, these organisations can provide the support you need to succeed.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve deeper into various aspects of starting a business in Stoke-on-Trent. From understanding local regulations and licensing requirements to exploring the city's vibrant business community, we'll equip you with the knowledge and resources necessary to thrive in Stoke-on-Trent's entrepreneurial landscape.

So, let's embark on this exciting journey together and discover what it takes to build and grow a successful business in Stoke-on-Trent!

Start Your Own Business in 2021
Free start-up guide
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FREE startup workshops

If you are thinking about starting a business, our FREE three-hour ONLINE workshop is definitely for you!

Open to everyone, our sole aim is to increase your chances of success. We do that by explaining:

The reality of running a business; the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them; which legal status is likely to be most suitable; funding, grants and managing your money; business planning and cashflow forecasting; finding and keeping customers.

Free startup workshops Free workshops

Free startup guide

Start Your Own Business in 2021

Download the 2024 edition of our Free Start Your Own Business guide

An interactive step-by-step guide which also includes all of the most important subjects covered in an easy-to-read way with links to useful online articles and relevant contacts.

The idea of starting your own business can be incredibly exciting and who can blame you for being tempted?

However, the sad truth is that far too many new enterprises fail in the early stages. Our aim is to make sure that you don’t become one of them.

This guide explains the key start-up subjects in simple English.

There is also plenty of help available in the area and much of it is free - please do make the most of it.

Read more about what our Free guide contains and how you can download it.
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Starting a business in Stoke On Trent

Key Contacts in Stoke on Trent

'You don't know what you don't know' is a phrase that is so applicable to starting a new business.

Stoke on Trent is a great place for start-ups but your chances of success are dramatically improved if you make the most of the support that is available locally. Click on logos to visit their websites.

The Local SEO Specialists

Online Marketing

The Local SEO Specialists
Helping businesses grow is at the heart of The Local SEO Specialists. Through our digital marketing expertise, we help brands and businesses get their name out, boost their website traffic and convert leads to sales. No matter what industry you are in or what phase your business is in, if you are looking for a digital marketing agency who can help you dominate Google, we are the guys to approach. We are committed to creating genuine partnerships. We take time to learn our clients’ goals for this year and the following years – and take on those goals as our own.
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Moore's Accountancy

Accountancy

Moore's Accountancy
Moore's Accountancy have been an ongoing concern in Stoke on Trent since 1997 and we pride ourselves in helping small businesses at every stage of their business especially at testing times. We operate nationally but have our core in Staffordshire, serving local SMEs with local knowledge, PLC experience and a value for money approach. We believe that we have to understand the needs of the client before we can supply the solutions. As well as providing traditional compliance services we offer business plan production, cash flow and performance management services. As a small chartered accountants with PLC experience we can respond to your needs. * We will summarize terms and conditions in a letter of engagement, put your expectations in writing and describe and deliver the level of service you require. * We encourage regular Communication so schedule weekly, monthly or quarterly meetings to review your firms performance, helping you to plan for the future. * Give advice and guidance on keeping user-friendly records. * Give a full breakdown of our charges and services. Work is based on a fixed fee quoted in advance.
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3E's Accountants

Accountancy

3E's Accountants
Whether you have a small or medium-sized business or a partnership, our multi-sector experienced 3ES team will sort out the accounting-related nitty-gritty for you. Our years of experience have given us a unique perspective on finding efficient, compliant, ways to save you money and help you to grow. We have been serving businesses as their accountants in the UK for the last 12 years. We know what we are doing. You can trust us and focus on driving sales, talking to clients, establishing your market authority and winning awards. Harrow 231 Kenton Rd, Harrow HA3 0HD Tel: 020 3772 2555 Stoke-on-Trent 3E'S Accountants Stoke-on-Trent Suite 9, 30 Bancroft, Hitchin SG5 1LE, 517 King St, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent ST3 1HE Tel: 01782 950830 Hitchin 3E'S Accountants (Base52 Ltd) Suite 9, 30 Bancroft, Hitchin SG5 1LE Tel: 01462 423152 Milton Keynes Unit: 4-37, Acorn House, 351-397 Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 3HP Tel: 020393 09992
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Tranquil Accountancy Limited

Bookkeeping

Tranquil Accountancy Limited
We provide small businesses with bookkeeping solutions that ensure their books are always up-to-date. We can work alongside their accountants or independently for small businesses.
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The Lonely Middle Club - From Startup Hive

Networking

The Lonely Middle Club - From Startup Hive
Starting a business is exciting, and succeeding is rewarding, but what about the bit between? You know, that bit that’s full of self-doubt, endless repetition and feelings of being out of your comfort zone? We call it ‘The Lonely Middle’ and it’s one of the hardest parts of creating a successful business. We know, we’ve been there. So, we created The Lonely Middle Club to help you through it. Each month you get exclusive content to help give you the knowledge and inspiration to succeed. Plus, you get access to a private members-only Facebook group where you can get advice and network with small business owners who are going through similar challenges to you. If you want even more, you can download our 51 worksheets, guides, and journals all designed to do one thing, and one thing only… help you get through ‘The Lonely Middle’ and achieve your business goals. Visit our website today to join the club and benefit from our members price lock and full no questions asked money-back guarantee.
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Networking

Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce & Industry
The Chamber has been in existence for over 200 years - the first association was established in 1813 and became incorporated in 1949. It was borne out of a desire from businesses to meet and trade together. For there to be an organisation to represent the interest of commerce and industry and to ensure that there was a voice for business. There has also been a need for an organisation to deliver services to help businesses to start, grow and succeed. Address: Festival Park, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 5BE
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Networking

FSB Staffordshire & West Midlands
FSB Staffordshire & West Midlands is the local branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). It was formed in 1974 as the National Federation of Self Employed and represents the interests of small and medium-sized businesses locally and nationally. They offer a great package tailored to your needs if you are thinking about starting a business in the area. Contact: Karen Woolley Development Manager Karen.Woolley@fsb.org.uk
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Advice

Business Enterprise Support Ltd,
Working for yourself can be very rewarding. To enable you to plan and develop your idea we have a free step by step programme of support to help you. Business Ideas Workshops, Self Employment Awareness Workshops, Dedicated Workshops, Mentoring. In addition to the above, Enterprise Coaches are available in some areas to give intensive support to guide you through the start up process.
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Advice

Business Initiative
Business Initiative is part of a national consortium of Enterprise Agencies providing FREE advice for those wishing to go into business on their own or to assist existing businesses who may wish to expand or are experiencing problems.
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Advice

Stafford Enterprise
Stafford Enterprise was set up in 1987 and is part of a consortium of Enterprise Agencies providing FREE and CONFIDENTIAL advice for those wishing to go into business and we are also able to support small businesses for the first 12 months. This is not a one off as clients are able to see us several times both before setting up and after starting their business.
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Advice

Oaktree Business Support Ltd
Supporting post-start businesses in their first 2 years of trading is an area that I specialise in and having started my own successful businesses I understand the highs and lows of running your own business. If you have already started your business and experienced the thrill and challenge of getting the whole thing off the ground you may now be at a situation where you think where do I go next ? How can I grow my business ? Why are my competitors doing better than me ? Where are the opportunities coming from next ? How can I access grants that I hear about ? Where can I find suitable staff ? Lots and lots of areas that plague any business owner. Im here to offer 3 hours fully funded business support. There is no cost to you or the business. I will sit down with you and look at your business, review the strengths, look at the weaknesses, see where the opportunities lie, look at the threats. Please view my website and read some of my clients testimonials and dont hesitate to contact me. Our small to medium enterprises are the back bone to industry in the UK and we have to keep supporting them,
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IT

Total IT Services
Total IT Services Lichfield provides IT help and support for all sizes of business, we are a local and reliable business with many years experience. We can help you to create your business IT infrastructure and ensure that as you grow it grows with you. We are Microsoft qualified engineers and also certified small business specialists.
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Start-up articles

100's of free startup articles

We have created a collection of 100s of startup articles to help anyone with whatever stage they are on with their business journey. Hundreds of thousands of people have gone before you and we can learn from what they got right and avoid the things that have been proved not to work so well.

You can see the full list of 'articles' at: How to start a business

FREE Start-up Pack

This FREE start-up pack contains everything that you need to get you started.

Startup Pack

Start-up Guides

Our FREE downloadable guides are packed with the information that you need to start and grow a your business.

Startup Pack