Whether you are an existing business or if you are just thinking of starting to work for yourself, contact Business Link for free impartial advice on all business issues. They offer a free comprehensive start up course, providing guidance on sales, marketing, finance, planning, and business regulations. Established businesses can access a free business review, providing valuable advice to help the business grow, become more cost effective and increase profit margins.

eHampshire is a body responsible for 'driving forward the use of ICT and high speed communications in Hampshire'. The project has been able to help over 400 businesses take up broadband, deliver over 300 advice sessions and provide support and advice to individuals and community groups across the county including many here in the New Forest. The project continues to award grants for broadband take-up and now offers the chance to gain a wireless hotspot for free.

Tel: 0845 606 6118 e-mail

Enterprise First offer practical help for those starting a business and developing existing small businesses. Their team of experienced business advisers come from a wide range of business backgrounds and are accredited to a national standard. Available support includes help with business planning and funding; advice on government regulations and guidance on identifying new customers.

Tel: 0845 4587535 e-mail

The service was established 20 years ago to assist companies to develop their business in the EU. Part of the European Information Centre (EIC) Network. In 2008 the EIC Network evolved into the Enterprise Europe Network. The EISC now work with 600 partners in over 40 countries to deliver Business and technology opportunities to small business in the EU. The range of services offered can benefit a one-person band as well as the bigger companies. The EISC also provides a free grant search facility. For further details of this, follow the link to the right of this page.

Tel: 023 8083 2866 e-mail

The FSB is the largest independent business organisation in the UK. With more than 650 members in the New Forest District, the FSB represents a broad cross-section of business with wide ranging interests and needs.

Tel: 01425 280080 Fax: 01425 280980 e-mail

The Hampshire Economic Partnership was established in 1992 and brings together business and local government to influence government policy and support the economic prosperity of Hampshire and its cities. Where HEP makes a real difference to the regional economy is through the important work that takes place in its 13 trade sector task groups. The Task Groups are led by some of Hampshire's leading business experts representing industry sectors across the county and ensure that HEP plays a vital role in addressing the priority issues required to build stronger and sustainable economic performance for the region.

Tel: 023 8076 8833 Fax: 023 8076 9780 e-mail

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sustainable Business Partnership exists to encourage and support all businesses to adopt sustainable business practices. Publicly funded through various partner organisations, the SBP is a genuine partnership of local and national support organisations that can be drawn on for expertise in almost any sustainability-related matter. The SBP offers ongoing support at a level appropriate to your business's needs at every stage.

Tel: 01962 845591

Britain's Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are responsible for the regulation of almost all the risks to health and safety arising from work activity in Britain. Their mission is to protect people's health and safety by ensuring risks in the changing workplace are properly controlled.

Tel: 023 8076 8833 Fax: 0845 345 0055

A service which covers not only Southampton but also the entire New Forest Area. This service provides a free premises search based on your requirements. The database is supplied by all the local commercial agents.

Tel: 023 8083 2587 e-mail

London 2012 will provide businesses in the New Forest with unique opportunities across numerous sectors including construction, transport and of course, tourism. Although the games are four years away, these opportunities are emerging now. The tendering process for many of the projects associated with the Olympics and Paralympics is now underway. The site contains details of each tender opportunity along with detailed information about how your business can play a part. In addition, this site contains details of forthcoming events, a guide to the procurement procedures and allows you to sign up for electronic updates as and when relevant opportunities arise.

Lymington Chamber exists for its members to provide opportunities for their businesses, through networking and co-promotional activities, and to represent their views to outside bodies. The Chamber aims to effectively represent the business community at local, district and regional levels of government ensuring their views, needs and concerns are understood and acknowledged by local decision makers.

Tel: 01590 689787 e-mail

The day to day running of a business is filled with challenges and demands that allow you little time to step back and work on the future of the business. Committing as little as a couple of hours a month to take an objective and broader view of your business can reap huge benefits for you, your business and often your turnover and profit as well. That’s where a Mentor-net Mentor can help you. Their role is to support, stimulate and challenge, using their own extensive skills, knowledge and experience to help you view your business in a different light, spot opportunities for development and implement the changes needed for a strong future.

Tel: 0845 45 86 454 e-mail

NFDC can provide advice and information on Business Services; Business Contacts; News & Events; Business Start-ups; Sites and Premises; Employment & Training Initiatives; Facts, Figures & Research; Local Workforce and Skills; Firms and Employment; and Forest Friendly Farming

Constructed in 1991, the New Forest Enterprise Centre was purpose built to house new and growing businesses in high quality offices and workshops, which would enhance employment in the locality. As it is self-financing, the Centre is run as a commercial concern by its voluntary Board of Directors, but is not-for-profit. NFEC aim to support and encourage business development in the New Forest area.

Tel: 023 8066 7700 Fax: 023 8066 7720 e-mail

The New Forest National Park Authority took up its full powers on April 2006, which includes becoming the local planning authority within the National Park area. The Authority is keen to support existing and encourage new businesses which enhance the New Forest environment.

Tel: 01590 646600 Fax: 01590 646666 e-mail

Grants of between £2,000 - £50,000 are available for business development, farm diversification or investment in renewable technologies for New Forest businesses who are actively involved in farming, horticulture, forestry or small rural businesses (fewer than 10 members of staff) which are land based (i.e. contractors) or use/add value to local produce.

Tel: 023 8028 5368 e-mail

The NFTA was formed in 1989 to work in partnership with NFDC to promote the New Forest as a quality year-round holiday and business destination. NFTA recognises the need to preserve and protect the natural beauty of this sensitive and unique area of England and works with other agencies to ensure that visitors understand the special nature of the area.

Tel: 023 8062 5524 e-mail

The Prince's Trust offers support to young people by providing training, loans, grants and support for those looking to start a new business venture. Their website lists a series of programmes and initiatives to assist people aged 18-30 who wish to progress their career.

Ringwood Chamber endevours to be an association of traders, manufacturers and professional people to promote plans and schemes to improve and secure the trading and commercial interest of Ringwood. It also strives to maintain a spirit of goodwill and unity among the traders of the town and with meetings and other functions provide facilities for social intercourse between all members. The Chamber co-operates with other organisations to promote Ringwood as an attractive town to visitors.

SEEDA is the Government funded agency set up in 1999 responsible for the economic and social development of the South East of England. SEEDA's aim is to create a prosperous, dynamic and inspirational region by helping businesses compete more effectively, training a highly skilled workforce, supporting and enabling our communities, while safeguarding our natural resources and cherishing our rich cultural heritage. SEEDA aims to be a catalyst for change within the South East, working with partner organisations- businesses, education at all levels, local authorities, Government agencies, voluntary and community organisations and many others - to produce clearly recognisable results. SEEDA also have funds from Government to enable us to invest directly in a range of economic and social development programmes.

Tel: 01483 484200 Fax: 01483 484247 e-mail

Start Your Own Business is a free local guide designed to help small businesses and new business start ups in Hampshire

Tel: 023 8074 0400 Fax: 023 8074 0400 e-mail

Supply2.gov.uk is a dynamic new government-backed service designed specifically to give companies easy access to lower-value contract opportunities (typically worth under £100,000) offered by the public sector. This portal brings buyers and suppliers together for the first time and is the first portal of call for lower-value business opportunities. Suppliers can register free Register Free and choose to:

TED provides free access to business opportunities. It is updated five times a week with approximately 1500 public procurement notices from the European Union, the European Economic Area and beyond. You can browse, search and sort procurement notices by country, region, business sector and more. Information about every procurement document is published in the 23 official EU languages. All notices from the European Union's institutions are published in full in these languages.

Totton College is the most diverse Sixth Form College in England, serving young people, adults and employers. Totton is only the second Sixth Form College in the country to be awarded the prestigious Training Quality Standard which ensures that we deliver quality training to our business customers. Our staff are flexible and able to deliver training in the workplace that fits in with business working patterns. We can also offer tailor made training at our main campus and at our 2 drop- in skills centres in Totton town centre and Dibden Purlieu. We are an approved centre for Chartered Management Institute qualifications at level s 3, 4 and 5.
Totton College is able to provide apprenticeships in Business Administration, Customer Services, Health and Social Care, Hair and Beauty, Information Technology and from September 2010 Motor Vehicle.

Tel: 023 8076 8833 Fax: 0845 345 0055

Tourism South East can provide the advice, training and guidance to help you and your tourism business. Membership includes accommodation providers, attractions, restaurants and transport providers giving us an excellent over-arching view of the tourism industry and the wider issues affecting it. Combine this with their specialist teams in training, research, development and marketing and they can assist you no matter how large or small your business.

The Trading Standards Service is part of Regulatory Services, and aims to achieve a fair and safe trading environment throughout Hampshire.

Tel: 0845 6030081 e-mail

Train to Gain has been launched across England by the Learning and Skills Council and is a development from the highly successful Employer Training Pilots. It can help businesses improve their productivity and competitiveness by ensuring that staff have the right skills to do the best job.

Tel: 0845 751 2288 e-mail

UK Trade & Investment is the Government organisation that helps UK companies win and develop business overseas. Whether you are looking to export for the first time or expand into new markets, they offer free impartial advice, coupled with tailored support, on how to grow your business internationally.

Tel: 08457 35 45 55 e-mail