01278 228004

Chamber News

You are here: 

Free Somerset Start Up and Grow support available for small businesses in 2026

Friday 12th December, 2025

Sedgemoor Chamber of Commerce highlights fully funded one to one business support for Somerset based start ups and growing firms

As many local businesses start planning for a stronger and more resilient 2026, Sedgemoor Chamber of Commerce is signposting small businesses in Somerset to fully funded support available through the Somerset Start Up and Grow programme.

The programme offers free, expert guidance for individuals and businesses that are either operating in, or located in, Somerset. It is open to start ups finding their feet and to existing businesses that want to grow. Bath and North East Somerset is excluded from this support.

Somerset Start Up and Grow provides up to six hours of one to one support, alongside access to a range of interactive workshops. Businesses can receive help with:

  • Business strategy and planning
  • Finance and operations
  • Marketing and HR
  • Innovation and market diversification

The aim is to equip business owners with essential knowledge and tools to tackle their challenges and achieve their goals. Support can include clarifying direction, identifying growth opportunities, developing an action plan, strengthening cash flow, improving marketing and streamlining systems.

With the end of the year approaching, businesses are encouraged to sign up before Christmas so they can enter the new year with a clear, personalised support plan in place and be ready to hit the ground running in January.

Somerset Start Up and Grow is funded by Somerset Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This national fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the United Kingdom by investing in communities and place, supporting local businesses, and developing people and skills.

Small businesses and individuals who would like to find out more or register their interest can:

  • Visit businessinfopoint.co.uk/ssug
  • Call 01837 659 059

Latest news

Good news: you've got more time to enter the Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards
September 16, 2026

As usual, we know how quickly a deadline can come around, so we're giving businesses a little extra time this year. The application deadline for the Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards 2026 has been extended to midday on Thursday 24th of September. This will be the only extension we're offering this year, so if you haven't…

Read More
Almost 7 million adults in the dark about their State Pension
September 15, 2026

Research shows 45 to 54-year-olds are more likely than any other age group to have never checked their State Pension, despite it being a key time for retirement planning. One in eight adults have never checked their State Pension forecast. People can use the HMRC app to check their State Pension forecast and top up…

Read More
Everys Solicitors Supports St Margaret’s Hospice £50 Challenge
September 7, 2026

Everys Solicitors is delighted to be taking part in this year’s St Margaret’s Hospice £50 Challenge, a fundraising initiative that invites teams to start with just £50 and spend 50 days turning it into as much money as possible for this much-loved local charity. The challenge began on 1st September, and our Everys fundraising team is…

Read More
Fifteen days to shine: last call for Sedgemoor's biggest business celebration
September 2, 2026

Somewhere across Sedgemoor right now, a business owner is quietly getting on with doing something brilliant, solving a problem better than anyone else, treating their staff well, building something from nothing, or simply refusing to give up when times got tough. The Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards exist for exactly that person, and with just 15…

Read More