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How to Start a Business in Wiltshire

Free start-up resources and useful local contacts.

Improve your chances of success!

How to Start a Business in Wiltshire

Starting a business in Wiltshire

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

Start Your Own Business in Wiltshire 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

Starting a business in Wiltshire

Free Startup Guide

Start Your Own Business in Wiltshire

Download the 2025 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.

Read more about what our Free guide contains and how you can download it.
More Information and instant download
More Information and instant download

If you're considering starting a business in Wiltshire, England, you're entering a region known for its stunning landscapes, rich heritage, and strong business community.

Situated in the South West of England, Wiltshire offers a unique blend of rural charm and economic opportunities, making it an appealing choice for entrepreneurs and business owners.

Demographics
  • Wiltshire has a diverse population of approximately 500,000 people, providing a potential customer base for businesses across various sectors.
  • The county is characterised by a mix of urban and rural areas, with market towns and picturesque villages scattered throughout.
Major Towns and Cities
  • Salisbury : Known for its historic cathedral and picturesque surroundings, Salisbury offers opportunities in tourism, hospitality, and creative industries.
  • Swindon : As the largest town in Wiltshire, Swindon is a thriving commercial center with strengths in technology, engineering, and manufacturing.
  • Trowbridge : With a rich industrial heritage, Trowbridge is a hub for textile manufacturing and has recently seen growth in creative and digital industries.
  • Chippenham : Situated on the M4 corridor, Chippenham is well-connected and offers opportunities in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, technology, and logistics.
Local Authorities

Local authorities can help you understand the business landscape and provide access to useful resources. They are responsible for numerous business related subjects such as health & safety, planning, business rates, and often have a department dedicated to economic development.

  • Wiltshire Council : The local authority responsible for providing various services and support to businesses operating within Wiltshire.
  • Salisbury City Council : Offers support, guidance, and resources for businesses located in Salisbury.
  • Swindon Borough Council : Provides assistance and information for businesses within the Swindon area, including access to funding and networking opportunities.
  • Trowbridge Town Council : Offers business support services and resources for companies based in Trowbridge.
Business Support Organisations in Wiltshire

In addition to the local authorities, various business support organisations can provide valuable guidance and resources. Consider exploring the following:

  • Business West : A leading business support organisation offering a wide range of services, including mentoring, networking, training, and access to funding.
  • Enterprise Wiltshire : Provides advice, guidance, and support for businesses in Wiltshire, including access to workshops, events, and funding opportunities.
  • Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP) : Works to stimulate economic growth in the region by supporting businesses, attracting investment, and fostering collaboration.
Conclusion

Wiltshire, England, offers an appealing environment for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to start or expand their ventures. With a diverse population, picturesque towns, and a supportive business community, the county presents opportunities across various sectors. By tapping into the resources and support provided by local authorities and business support organisations, you can access valuable guidance, funding, and networking platforms to help your business thrive. With careful planning, market research, and the right support, you can turn your business aspirations into a reality in the beautiful county of Wiltshire.

Local partners

We are happy to promote anyone who is prepared to offer friendly support to local start-ups.

Our local partners have been kind enough to help us and are keen to help you too.

AMS Accountancy Ltd
AE Ready Ltd
Envizage Ltd
Enterprise Online Marketing Solutions
Witts End Business Services
Sourcing Manager Ltd
IncuHive Wilton
Liift pitch deck design, coaching and mentoring consultancy.
Guardium

Free Startup Resources

Getting it right from the start can help to prevent problems later.

To help you with this we have created a vast selection of resources and they are all completely free!

Local help for startups

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

Select classification:

Business advice in a group

Advice & Support
An accountant with calculator

Accountancy
A bookkeeper at work

Bookkeeping
Coworkers desks

Co-Working
Bank of England

Funding
Photo of a piggy bank

Grants
A mentor with group

Mentoring
Networking group talking

Networking
A view of a smart office

Office Services
Online marketing graphic

Online Marketing
A web designer at desk

Web Design
A nice place to work

Workplaces

Latest articles

You don't know what you don't know!

The prospect of starting a new business can be incredibly exciting but should be approached with care. You have probably heard scary stories about how many start-ups fail in the early stages. You can make sure that you are not one of them by learning as much as possible before you launch. Over the years, we have collected lots of articles which will show you what has worked well for other start-ups and the putfalls to avoid.

See: Full List of Latest Start-Up Articles
Starting a business in Wiltshire

Key Contacts in Wiltshire

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

Wiltshire 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.

Work Wiltshire

Advice

Work Wiltshire
Visit our one-stop website, containing a huge amount of education, employment, training and apprenticeship information
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Wiltshire County Council

Advice

Wiltshire County Council
Wiltshire county Councils website contains a section dedicated to business advice and support. Here youi will find information about business raters, health & safety, licenses and permits, CSE, trading standards, commercial waste, food safety, economic, DBS. There are also links to relevant support organisations and sources of business funding. It is run by the Economic Regeneration. Economy Regeneration Wiltshire Council County Hall Trowbridge Wiltshire BA14 8JD
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The Enterprise Network

Advice

The Enterprise Network
The Enterprise Network (TEN), a £5.2m initiative led by Wiltshire Council with Government and EU funding, is nurturing new and growing small and micro businesses in Swindon and Wiltshire by supporting them right from the first ‘light bulb’ moment.
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Swindon & Wiltshire Growth Hub

Advice

Swindon & Wiltshire Growth Hub
The Growth Hub is an exciting new online community developed exclusively for the businesses of Swindon and Wiltshire. The Hub directs you to a wide range of impartial business support and advice, as well as providing valuable insights, access to events, specialist programmes and funding to help your business thrive. The Swindon and Wiltshire Growth Hub provides you with a single gateway through which to access support, whether you are starting, running or growing your business. Using the Growth Hub you can find direct support from our telephone helpline or arrange a face-to-face meeting with an experienced and impartial Business Adviser. Their business support helpline number is 01225 402096
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SouthWest Business

Marketing

SouthWest Business
A good place to keep up to date with business news for Swindon and Wiltshire. They have a free newsletter and opportiunities to advertise your business.
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Starting Up - Swindon & Wiltshire LEP Growth Hub

Advice

Starting Up - Swindon & Wiltshire LEP Growth Hub
A great start-up resource which includes: * An introduction to Business Regulations and Starting Up * Business Opportunity Factsheets * Choosing the Right Legal Structure * Selling Goods Online * Starting a Business in Wiltshire * Talent for Wiltshire Employers * Start Up Resouirces
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Inspire

Advice

Inspire
Inspire is the trading name for the Wessex Chambers of Commerce, a not for profit organisation representing SME businesses across every sector of the local economy. Our mission is to inspire, motivate, inform and support businesses throughout their life cycle, from Start up, to growing enterprises and right up to our large corporate success stories. We are funded from our partner and member subscriptions and from service contracts with the Department for Business Communities and Local Government. There are a number of ways in which your business can engage with us. We offer a range of business services from discounted or free products and networking opportunities through LEGACY MEMBERSHIP, as well as our CLIENTS. There are also opportunities to join us as PARTNERS to work with us on delivering the above to the business community. Our experienced team come from diverse and varied business backgrounds and, between them, have a wealth of knowledge and expertise together with an enviable hub of contacts to put at the disposal of your business. Whats more, our services are heavily subsidised, confidential and impartial.
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WiltsHour

Networking

WiltsHour
Welcome to the directory website of the #WiltsHour - a free weekly networking event for Wiltshire businesses held on Twitter every Monday evening from 8-9pm. Bulldog Websites founded and sponsor the #WiltsHour and WiltsHour.co.uk to offer local free marketing to local businesses, helping you to promote your Wiltshire business and gain new followers and friends. This is a great new networking event - take part from the comfort of your sofa after a hard days work. Come along and join us - simply tweet about your business, new products, offers, or just say hi! using the hashtag #WiltsHour and well do the rest!
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SWEF Business Grants

Grants

SWEF Business Grants
Are you 18 -30 and self employed, running a business or thinking of starting one? Wiltshire Community Foundation is working in partnership with the SWEF to provide grants of 2,000 to young people in Wiltshire and Swindon who are, self-employed, running a business or thinking of starting one in the next 6 months. As part of the programme there is the opportunity to join a network of peers who are also in the early stage of starting their business to share ideas, experiences and learn. To be eligible to apply individuals need to be: aged 18 to 30 living in Wiltshire or Swindon planning to start their business within the next 6 months or if they are already running one have been trading for no more than 2 years. Grants can be used towards capital items and running costs such as stock, equipment or materials, rent or business-related bills Our application process is simple and straightforward, and many previous applicants have told us that it helped sharpen their business plans and gave them the confidence to succeed. For further details and to apply visit our website www.wiltshirecf.org.uk/grants-and-support/individuals/south-west-enterprise-fund/ If you have any further questions please contact us on 01380 738985.
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Business West

Advice

Business West
Starting a business is a rewarding, challenging experience. But its one that you don’t have to face alone. Whether you’ve got a business idea that you would like to explore further, or you’ve been trading for up to a year, we can help you gain the advice, knowledge and funding needed to improve your chances of success. From one-to-one support, to workshops, to helping you apply for a start-up loan, we are here to help.
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Wiltshire Chamber of Commerce

Networking

Wiltshire Chamber of Commerce
Wiltshire Chamber of Commerce connects businesses from across the county and works in partnership with charities, the public sector and Government to help your grow your business and stimulate local economic growth. Under the directorship of Ian Larrard, who is also Director of the Swindon Initiative, Governor of Swindon College and Chair of Swindon BID, Wiltshire’s businesses are brought together to collaborate and profit from sharing knowledge, goods and services. Wiltshire Chamber members enjoy a number of benefits including: * Raise your profile online, in the press and among your peers * Opportunities to find new business and advance your sales pipeline * Network with experienced and influential business leaders in the local area and beyond * Have your views represented at a local and national level to decision makers who listen * Gain preferential access to training, advice and support services to help your business grow Plus, as part of Business West, Wiltshire Chamber provides a local access point to government funding, business services and support, as well as other business opportunities available via your fellow members.
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AMS Accountancy Ltd

Accountancy

AMS Accountancy Ltd
We are a firm of Chartered Accountants based in Swindon. We work with all small and new businesses in the local area and with Freelance Contractors throughout the UK. We are approachable and technically up to date so you can rely on us for good practical advice that is jargon free. Good luck with your business and we hope to meet you.
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Enterprise Online Marketing Solutions

Online Marketing

Enterprise Online Marketing Solutions
In todays connected world Digital Marketing and the World Wide Web forms an essential part of business marketing. You need to be easy to find in all the places that your existing and potential customers are likely to visit and make sure that you are professionally representing your business. You want more sales, more leads, phone calls and enquiries, more newsletter subscriptions andor more downloads! To achieve these ambitions, you need an effective website, effective Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) to make sure that you appear in Google, Bing and Yahoo search results as well as an active presence on all the Social Media sites that your clients are likely to be using Using a range of affordable and effective Digital Marketing I can ensure that your business is easy to find by your customers.
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Swindon & Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership

Networking

Swindon & Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership
The Swindon & Wiltshire LEP has been formed to develop the economy of the sub-region. Its primary focus is to create wealth, jobs and new business opportunities by forging a meaningful partnership between the private and public sectors. Their initiatives will be driven by business through their engagement in the partnership.
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The Lonely Middle Club - From Startup Hive

Networking

The Lonely Middle Club - From Startup Hive
Starting a business is exciting, and succeeding is rewarding, but what about the bit between? You know, that bit that’s full of self-doubt, endless repetition and feelings of being out of your comfort zone? We call it ‘The Lonely Middle’ and it’s one of the hardest parts of creating a successful business. We know, we’ve been there. So, we created The Lonely Middle Club to help you through it. Each month you get exclusive content to help give you the knowledge and inspiration to succeed. Plus, you get access to a private members-only Facebook group where you can get advice and network with small business owners who are going through similar challenges to you. If you want even more, you can download our 51 worksheets, guides, and journals all designed to do one thing, and one thing only… help you get through ‘The Lonely Middle’ and achieve your business goals. Visit our website today to join the club and benefit from our members price lock and full no questions asked money-back guarantee.
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MONKHOUSE & COMPANY

Coaching

MONKHOUSE & COMPANY
Monkhouse & Company are a team of UK-based business consultancy experts led by Scale Up founder Dom Monkhouse. Get in touch with them today to help your business grow consistently year on year.
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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

FREE Start-up Pack

This FREE start-up pack contains everything that you need to get you started.

Startup Pack

Start-up Guides

Our FREE downloadable guides are packed with the information that you need to start and grow a your business.

Startup Pack