In summary
Happy New Year! As we move into 2025, FSB Sussex is here to help your small business achieve its goals.
Your Sussex Development Manager, Alison Turner, is constantly talking to local authorities, stakeholders, and the media to make sure small businesses, like yours, are represented at a local level. Please keep in touch and email [email protected] if you need help in dealing with a local issue.
Here you will find details of local business activity and events. You can also follow us on X and Facebook @FSBSussex.
Let’s make it a successful year together!
Featured news and events
FREE business events and workshops
The Business & IP Centre (BIPC) Sussex with its Regional Centre BIPC Brighton & Hove at Jubilee Library and its BIPC Locals at Crawley Library, Eastbourne Library and Hastings Library, are offering access to free resources, training and events.
There are a range of events from starting and growing a business to conducting your own market research, grant fundraising and using LinkedIn to promote your business and yourself. Or you may prefer to pop into a coffee morning with guest speakers. Look at all the events here.
The BIPC supports entrepreneurs, inventors, and small businesses across Sussex, from that first spark of inspiration to successfully launching and developing a business. As well as being a hub for entrepreneurs to network and attend events, it provides 121 expert advice and access to a wealth of free information - business databases, market research reports, company data and information on intellectual property. Whether you are just starting out or are ready to take the next step in your journey, they are there to help.
FSB networking in 2025
Come and meet local businesses and make new contacts at our in-person networking events in Sussex.
- Eastbourne at Friday Street Farm on Tuesday 11 February, 10am to 12pm, book here.
- Chichester at Chichester Enterprise Centre on Wednesday 19 February, 10am to 12pm, book here.
Stay tuned to our event calendar here for booking details of new events as soon as the dates are released.
Don’t miss the B2B Sussex Expo
FSB will be at the B2B West Sussex Expo on 13 March.
Expos offer unique networking opportunities to meet decision-makers, discover innovative products, and form strategic partnerships. Attend seminars to gain insights from industry leaders and stay ahead of trends that can drive your business forward.
Why not take a stand at the Expo? It’s a great way to increase brand visibility, engage directly with potential customers, and showcase your products or services to a targeted audience.
Find out more about the free-to-attend B2B West Sussex Expo. Take your business to the next level and connect with key players in your industry!
In other news
Business grants, loans and support
The Newhaven Business Grants Programme offers grants to SME businesses in the Newhaven Town Deal area. Businesses can apply for grants of 50% of the cost of capital projects up to £15,000. This could include new equipment, machinery, commercial vehicles and property adaptations. More information here.
Sustainable Grant funding to support SMEs in Chichester on their sustainability journey. Applications close midnight on Monday 31 January. More information here.
Adur and Worthing’s Business Support Programme helps local businesses within the areas of innovation, sustainability and leadership & management. Support is also available for pre-start up and start up enterprises. More information here.
Two business support programmes, Ready to Grow and Big Ambitions, are running until March 2025 for businesses based in Eastbourne, Lewes, Rother and Wealden. More information here.
Express interest in London Gatwick’s Supply Chain
London Gatwick has developed an overarching Supply Chain Strategy to align future frameworks to the airport’s Capital Investment Programme. The new Construction Frameworks will deliver improved facilities and services for passengers and airline customers over the next six years, and will include construction works, various professional services including design services, and surveys.
To ensure the airport has a capable, engaged, and strong supply chain to respond and deliver the associated works, they have developed an Expression of Interest Survey for businesses working in construction-related industries. This will enable the airport and its contractors to promote future indirect opportunities to work with Tier 1 framework suppliers on relevant projects in 2025 and beyond.
Whether you have previously delivered works directly to London Gatwick or not, or supported within their supply chain, the airport wants to hear from small businesses and understand the range of capabilities that local and regional businesses could offer.
Complete expression of interest form.
Still in the news
Transport across the South East
Transport for the South East (TfSE) wants your views about transport challenges and priorities in the South East.
TfSE, the Sub-national transport body which includes Surrey, Sussex and Kent, has published their new draft Transport Strategy, setting out their vision for the region. It highlights plans to use transport to grow the economy, connect our communities and reach net zero in the decades ahead.
They want to know what businesses think about their vision, goals and mission outlined in the draft Transport Strategy consultation which is open until 7 March 2025.
New support for Small Business from HMRC
Running a small business, working for yourself, or considering self-employment? HMRC's free online guidance and interactive tools can help you understand your tax responsibilities.
The new support includes:
- Enhanced Online Guidance: Accessible, easy-to-follow advice tailored to small business needs.
- Webinars and Interactive Tools: Free, flexible options to help you stay informed about tax changes and requirements.
- Dedicated Support: More tailored assistance to help small business owners meet their obligations and understand available benefits.
More information here.
More news and activity near you
- Kent and Medway
- Surrey
- More from FSB South East England
Get in touch
Your FSB Development Manager for Sussex is Alison Turner. If you'd like more information about the topics above, or if you have news about this area that you'd like to share, please get in touch.
- email us: [email protected]
- follow us on x: @FSBSussex
- follow us on Facebook: @FSB.Official.Sussex