Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Where do I get help with starting up a company?
- What support and advice (such as grants/ exporting/ investment/ expansion/ general development) is available for companies in Newtownabbey?
- How do I get advice on running my company?
- What help can I get to recruit staff?
- Is there any support available to access training for staff and the company?
- Where can I get advice on health and safety, pollution, licences etc?
- Does the Council support inward investment?
- Does the Council support research and development?
- Do you supply information about Newtownabbey companies?
- Is there a Chamber of Commerce?
- Is there a shopping centre in Newtownabbey?
- Where can I get advice on business rates?
1. Where do I get help with starting up a company?
Go For It
If you are thinking of starting a business in Northern Ireland there is a wide range of advice and support available to you. The starting point for most prospective business owners will be Invest Northern Ireland’s Go for it Programme.
The Go for it Programme, is a free service available throughout Northern Ireland and provides a comprehensive package of support to anyone interested in starting a business.
Website: www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk
Advantage Northern Ireland
Advantage Northern Ireland specialises in economic development and entrepreneurship for young people. They work with clients in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors and apply expertise to promote starting a business as a realistic and viable career option to young people aged 16-30. They engage with over 20,000 young people in Northern Ireland alone each year and can offer each one, individual, bespoke information, advice and guidance on starting, running and growing a business.
Website: www.advantage-ni.com/Site/Home.aspx
The Prince’s Trust
The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme provides start-up services and finance to help young people to start their own business. The Prince’s Trust can provide help for young people interested in starting a business or self employment to explore and test their ideas, write plans and start their own businesses or achieve alternative outcomes in education, training, volunteering or work.
Shell LiveWIRE
Shell LiveWIRE provide an online community for young entrepreneurs (aged 16-30) who are starting or running their own business. They offer free online business advice and support, funding and networking opportunities to new start ups.
Website: www.shell-livewire.org
2. What support and advice (such as grants/ exporting/ investment/ expansion/ general development) is available for companies in Newtownabbey?
Newtownabbey Borough Council does not offer direct financial assistance to businesses, indirect assistance is offered through a range of support programmes. The most recent suite of programmes finished in April 2011 and included:
- The Investors in People Contract Programme, delivered in Partnership with the Department for Employment and Learning to develop businesses and enable them to achieve Investor in People status.
- The Developing Your Corporate Identity Programme provided businesses with a Corporate Identity Improvement Plan and assisted with Website Development.
- The Small Firms Development Programme provided local businesses with customised support for their individual needs producing business reviews and business improvement plans on company specific issues (e.g. marketing, finance).
- The Business Development Initiative consisted of 6 programmes aimed at improving the sustainability and increasing the competitiveness of Newtownabbey’s indigenous small business community: Sales Growth Programme, Strategy in Business Programme, The Franchise Initiative, SME Procurement Programme, Local Sourcing Initiative and Business Needs Analysis.
A new range of programmes will commence during the spring and summer of 2011, please contact the Economic Development Section if you would like further information or to be added to a waiting list for the new programmes.
Newtownabbey Business Directory
Local businesses can advertise for free on the Council’s Online Business Directory.
Website: "www.newtownabbey.gov.uk/businessdirectory
Newtownabbey Business Network
The Network is an exciting business forum designed to assist member companies to interact and network together, to foster business opportunities and facilitate business development. Monthly meetings include presentations from guest speakers and networking opportunities.
Website: "www.newtownabbey.gov.uk/business
NIbusinessinfo.co.uk
nibusinessinfo.co.uk is a free online service provided by Invest Northern Ireland. The website contains free online business advice which provides practical advice for businesses ranging from start up to finance and information technology.
Website: "www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk
GROW South Antrim
GROW South Antrim (Generating Rural Opportunities Within South Antrim) has been appointed by Antrim, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey Borough Councils to implement Axes 3 & 4 of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007 – 2013 in rural South Antrim. The Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 is part financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The Rural Development Programme is an excellent opportunity for rural communities and enterprises across South Antrim to improve, expand or diversify and we would encourage anyone who has a development idea to explore the website for more information or to get in touch with us.
To find out more information about the programmes and the level of grant available, visit the website or contact Emma Stubbs (Development Manager – Rural Programmes)
Website: www.growsouthantrim.com
InterTradeIreland
InterTradeIreland supports SMEs across the island of Ireland to develop North/South trade and business development opportunities for the mutual benefit of both economies.
They encourage better use of collective resources to accelerate trade and business growth across the island and create an environment where it is easier to do business. This is achieved through co-operative business, policy and research programmes, partnerships and networks.
3. How do I get advice on running my company?
The Council organises a range of business support programmes as detailed above.
NIbusinessinfo.co.uk
nibusinessinfo.co.uk is a free online service provided by Invest Northern Ireland. The website contains free online business advice which provides practical advice for businesses ranging from start up to finance and information technology.
Website: www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk
Shell LiveWIRE
Shell LiveWIRE provide an online community for young entrepreneurs (aged 16-30) who are running their own business offering free online business advice and support.
Website: www.shell-livewire.org
4. What help can I get to recruit staff?
The Department for Employment and Learning
The Department for Employment and Learning has a network of 35 Jobs & Benefits offices and JobCentres offering a range of vacancy services. These include advertising, recruitment events, sifting applications and interview facilities. Vacancies can be advertised online by using www.employersonlineni.com Here, employers can submit and manage vacancies online and receive applications from potential employees which can be managed in one place through a user friendly interface.
The Disablement Advisory Service offers help to employers who want to recruit and retain people with a disability. There is no direct cost to the employer for these services.
The Department for Employment and Learning also provides Employer Contact Managers who are keen to engage with the business community to raise awareness of the Department’s recruitment service.
They can help you by:
- Outlining the services available such as online promotion of vacancies and supply of standard application forms – all at no cost.
- Discussing your recruitment needs.
- Working with you to identify and provide recruitment solutions including the Department’s employment programmes and services.
5. Is there any support available to access training for staff and the company?
There is a wealth of training opportunities available across the Newtownabbey area. From university degrees and doctorates, to vocational qualifications there's a course to suit your needs. The main contacts are below:
The Department for Employment and Learning
Website: www.delni.gov.uk
Apprenticeships NI
ApprenticeshipsNI is a Northern Ireland Government funded, work-based training programme, designed by Sector Skills Councils (SSCs)/Standard Setting Bodies (SSBs) to meet the needs of employers. Business representatives from the relevant industry sector work with the SSCs/SSBs to develop the training content within each occupational area. Apprenticeships have proven to be a preferred and most beneficial method for employers to train their workforce. You can now train both new and existing employees who meet the entry criteria and there is no upper age limit.
Website: www.nidirect.gov.uk
The Northern Regional College
Website: www.nrc.ac.uk
6. Where can I get advice on health and safety, pollution, licences etc?
Newtownabbey Borough Council
The Council’s Environmental Health department is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all those visiting, living or working in Newtownabbey, information and advice can be found on the Council’s website.
Website: www.newtownabbey.gov.uk/environmentalhealth/default.asp
Health & Safety Works NI
Health & Safety Works NI is a free and confidential government advisory service of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland. If you are just starting in business, are new to health and safety or are already set up and looking to improve your health and safety management, you will find practical advice and useful information within their website to help you manage your own health and safety.
Website: www.healthandsafetyworksni.gov.uk
Equality Commission Web Resource For Smaller Businesses
The Equality Commission has launched a new web-based resource aimed at helping small to medium enterprises in Northern Ireland.
The website includes useful information such as:
- help drafting job descriptions
- preparing recruitment advertisements
- advice on flexible working
- model policies on maternity, absence management and redundancy
7. Does the Council support inward investment?
Invest Northern Ireland
Invest Northern Ireland is the main economic development agency responsible for attracting inward investment to Northern Ireland.
Website: www.investni.com/index/locate/why_northern_ireland.htm
8. Does the Council support research and development?
Invest Northern Ireland
Invest Northern Ireland has a wide-ranging programme of support for R&D in Northern Ireland. Their innovation advisors provide free independent advice to help to scope R&D projects.
Website: www.investni.com/index/grow/research_and_development.htm
University of Ulster
The University of Ulster has a dynamic and innovative research institution combining academic excellence and expertise with a focus on applied research - innovation, and knowledge transfer.
Website: www.ulster.ac.uk/research/
There are a number of funded schemes which match together business needs with University expertise, these can be used to develop new products, services and processes eg Innovation Vouchers and the Knowledge Transfer programme (KTP) which can help businesses to: improve product design, develop new products, improve manufacturing processes, reduce costs, find new markets and increase sales.
Website: http://oi.ulster.ac.uk/information_for_business/business_support
9. Do you supply information about Newtownabbey companies?
The Newtownabbey Online Business Directory is a comprehensive record of Newtownabbey businesses and their activities.
Newtownabbey businesses can register online for free at www.newtownabbey.gov.uk/businessdirectory/default.asp.
The directory is held on the Council’s website and can be used by the general public to search for business contacts. If you have any queries, please contact the Economic Development Section.
10. Is there a Chamber of Commerce?
Two separate Chambers of Commerce and Trade exist within the Borough of Newtownabbey. These organisations provide continuous support and guidance to companies within each local business community. The contact details are as follows:
1. Ballyclare - http://yourballyclare.com/index.html
2. Glengormley - Mr Ian Patterson (President) ian.patterson@daviesinsurance.co.uk
11. Is there a shopping centre in Newtownabbey?
Newtownabbey has some excellent shopping centres:
AbbeyCentre, Manager Mark Stewart
Abbey Shopping Centre
Longwood Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 9UH
Tel: 028 9086 8018
Fax: 028 9036 5885
Email: info@abbeycentreshopping.co.uk
Website: www.abbeycentreshopping.co.uk
Northcott Shopping Centre Tel: 028 9034 2977
12. Where can I get advice on business rates?
Information on business rates and rating reforms taking effect from 1 April 2012 can be found through the following link www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/rates
Land & Property Services is the agency responsible for mapping, land registration, rating and valuation in Northern Ireland.
Website: www.dfpni.gov.uk/lps/index.htm
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