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How to Start a Business in Leicester

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

Start Your Own Business in Leicester 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

Local help for startups

There is plenty of help for startups in Leicester but where can it be found?

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Grants

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Local partners

Local people are starting businesses right now, and many have not yet chosen an accountant, bookkeeper, designer, web designer, premises, funding, business adviser or provider for anything else they need.

Be the one they find first - we only ever recommend one partner per trade, per area, for just £10 per year. Find out more

These local businesses have already claimed their exclusive spot and are keen to help local start-ups:

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

Leicester, known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse community, and thriving economy, offers a dynamic environment for startups and established enterprises.

Demographics

Leicester is a bustling city in the East Midlands region of England, with a population of approximately 360,000 residents (as of 2021). The city is renowned for its multiculturalism, attracting people from various backgrounds and ethnicities. With its strong education sector, vibrant retail scene, and growing technology industry, Leicester presents a wealth of opportunities for entrepreneurs to establish and grow their businesses.

Major Suburbs

Leicester is made up of several major suburbs, each with its own unique characteristics and economic prospects. Here are some notable suburbs:

Belgrave: Known for its vibrant Asian community, Belgrave offers a bustling market, unique shops, and cultural attractions. It presents opportunities for businesses catering to diverse cuisines, fashion, and local events.
Clarendon Park: With its leafy streets and Victorian houses, Clarendon Park is a popular residential area. It is home to independent boutiques, cafes, and restaurants, making it an ideal location for businesses in the hospitality and retail sectors.
West End: The West End is a thriving cultural and creative hub, featuring art galleries, theaters, and music venues. It offers opportunities for businesses in the arts, entertainment, and creative industries.

Local Authority

Leicester City Council is the local authority responsible for governing and developing the city. 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:

Leicester City Council - Business

Business Support Organisations

Leicester 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:

Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP): The LLEP focuses on driving economic growth in the region and supports businesses through various initiatives and funding schemes. Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership
Leicester Business Festival: As one of the largest business festivals in the region, the Leicester Business Festival offers a platform for networking, showcasing businesses, and attending industry events. Leicester Business Festival
Leicester and Leicestershire Growth Hub: The Growth Hub provides free business support, advice, and access to funding opportunities for startups and growing businesses in the area. Leicester and Leicestershire Growth Hub

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 Leicester. 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 Leicester'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 Leicester!

Free Startup Guide

Download the 2026 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.

Key Contacts in Leicester

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

Leicester 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.

Accountancy

TaxAssist Leicester

Looking for an Accountant in Leicester? Then look no further. We are here to help your business make and save money, letting you concentrate on the things you do best. Our philosophy is to offer you a proactive business partnering approach, enabling you to achieve your financial goals. We offer 1. Personal Service - Visiting clients at home or business in or out of normal working hours, for meetings and collection of books 2. Customer Satisfaction - Standards and systems in place to ensure deadlines are met. We aim to give you no nonsense, jargon free advice 3. Value for money - An agreed fixed price, and monthly payment options with no interest charges 4. Initial no obligation FREE consultation. We work for YOU, not the Inland Revenue! Our TaxAssist shopfront is on the Uppingham Road, a major artery road which leads into Leicester City Centre from the A47. We are opposite Lloyds and Santander bank, and a few doors down from the Wilko store. On road parking is available on road and nearby side roads, or Humberstone Park has car parking available, within a couple of minutes’ walk.

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Accountancy

Pro Active Resolutions

Running a business is both exciting and challenging. Your journey to success won’t be in a straight line. At times there will be diversions and bumps in the road. Supporting businesses of all sizes is what we do. With a helping hand from us you will achieve success. We love working with small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) who are looking to grow. We’ll help you deal with the demands you will have to face and help guide you on the right track. Want to: - Know how much profit you’re making? - Make more money? - Manage your cashflow better? - Make your business dream come true? Then we’re the accountants for you. Contact us and arrange a relaxed, no-obligation chat 0116 2247122 Save time, money and stress- Call us today

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Online Marketing

DLZ Design

We are a full service creative marketing agency Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, but what does that mean? We can help your business with a marketing package to give you the biggest “bang for your buck”. In other words, we help businesses with everything from logo design and branding, right up to full marketing packages which include brand development, digital and print design, social media management and most importantly of all, web design & SEO. We create high quality, money making websites, from our web design agency in Ashby de la Zouch, near Leicester. Results driven marketing, tech support, and full service marketing packages at affordable, small business prices! If you are looking for web design in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicester, or anywhere else, let us help you to meet your targets and create a website to blow away your competitors!

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Web design

Hinckley Web Design & IT Services

Hinckley Web Design & IT Services - offering a range of IT & Website Services for Local Small Businesses & Home Users. No Contracts just simple Pay As You Go IT Support. Website Diagnostics, Web Design, SEO Maintenance, PC. IT & Network Troubleshooting. Prompt, Polite & Professional. Here are just some of the affordable services offered Web Design.SEO.PC.Network.Troubleshooting Virus.Malware and Spyware Removal Software Installation Hardware Installation Wireless.Wired Networking System Upgrades.Updates Data Backup Data Recovery Remote Support Web Design Web Hosting Logo Creation Social Media Marketing Advice Paid Advertising Campaigns Keyword Research advice

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Marketing

Roundabout Hinckley and Roundabout the Villages Magazines

Roundabout Hinckley and Roundabout the Villages magazines are a great way to introduce company to many family homes and businesses in Hinckley and the surrounding villages, who may be unaware of your services. What makes us unique from other local publications is exclusivity to our advertisers. This means only ONE type of any business can advertise in our magazine at any one time. I really do hope we can be of assistance with regards to your advertising and promoting your new business.

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Networking

FSB Leicestershire, Northamptonshire & Rutland

FSB Leicestershire, Northamptonshire & Rutland 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: Maxine Aldred OBE Development Manager Maxine.Aldred@fsb.org.uk

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Law

Irwin Mitchell Leicester

Irwin Mitchell is one of the leading law firms in the United Kingdom and they understand the importance of being able to obtain legal services within ones area rather than dealing with a long distance lawyer. In keeping with this belief, Irwin Mitchell has established branches in major cities across the country, including one in the city of Leicester. While Irwin Mitchell deals with countless types of legal situation, personal injury law is one area in which they excel. The lawyers that make up the Leicester office can provide personal injury law services to their clients. If you feel that you have been wrongly injured by the fault of someone else, you could potentially have a claim. In order to determine the merits and validity of this claim, consultation with a lawyer in the Leicester office is the first step. The skilled lawyers can assess your case and advise you on your rights as well as which steps should be taken. Compensation is paid out to those people who have not only suffered significant injuries which have impacted their way of life but they also receive compensation for financial loss associated with the injury. This compensation is designed to help the injured recoup these losses. Also, the compensation is designed with the future in mind as well. The compensation awarded should also cover future costs that may be incurred as a result of the injury. If eligible, the lawyers of Leicesters Irwin Mitchell office may offer you their no win, no fee policy. This means that you would not be responsible for paying any legal fees until your case has been won. If the claim is denied and unsuccessful, clients would not have to pay anything. There are many different types of injuries that are included in this area of the law. Consulting with one of the Leicester lawyers can help you determine what course of action you should take.

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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