General Business Advice

Trafford Council Strategic Growth Team

Trafford Council’s first point of contact for all businesses, offering a range of expertise and support to assist you with any questions or issues you may have regarding the future growth of your business. We work closely with business support agencies across Trafford and beyond to give you easy access to any advice and support you may require.

Contact: 0161 912 4176 or business@trafford.gov.uk

Trafford Council has partnered with Greater Manchester’s Business Growth Hub to provide support to local people and businesses who wish to grow and prosper. Their services are open to new start-ups right through to well established companies. The only criteria is that growth and job creation are a key part of the business’s agenda. Their dedicated business/start-up advisors work alongside Trafford Council to deliver expert advice for your specific needs.

Contact: 0161 359 3050  or bgh@growthco.uk

SMART Start at Trafford Town Hall

Business Growth Hub’s start-up team has just launched its new Start Smart programme across Greater Manchester. Delivered in conjunction with PeoplePlus, the programme is aimed at a very broad audience, helping anyone from pre-start livelihood businesses through to growth start-ups that may have been trading for up to three years. Support through workshops, events and one-to-one specialist advice includes:

  • Analysis of business idea and exploration of viability
  • Advise how self employment may impact on personal circumstances
  • Legalities of becoming self employed / starting a business
  • Business and cash flow planning
  • Advice on where to access grants and finance
  • Marketing
  • Recruiting and managing staff
  • New product development

From the part time gardener through to starting and growing a limited business, Start Smart is here to help. 

Contact: T: 0161 359 3050 E: info@businessgrowthhub.com

GOV.UK - Starting Up A Business

This government website provides tools and guidance on how to set up a business.

Visit the Gov.uk website to find out futher advice.

Build A Business

The ‘Build a Business’ programme works in partnership with 8 local authorities across Greater Manchester, operating from a network of participating libraries, including Altrincham Library. The project is designed to help pre-start and new businesses as well as existing businesses, inventors and business students.

Build a business focuses on how to monetise and protect your intellectual property, how to conduct market research through the BIPC’s £5 million worth of databases and the nuts and bolts of starting or expanding a business, through a series of training courses and 121 support.

For more information visit the Build a Business website for further advice.

Business is Great

Business is Great provides comprehensive free information, advice and support to any type of business, whether you're starting up, already running a business or looking to grow and develop. A free telephone helpline provides a quick response service for when you are unable to access the internet or online business support services.           

Contact: T: 0300 456 3565 (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm)

Visit the Business is Great website for further advice.

Business Growth Hub

The Business Growth Hub is part of the Manchester Growth Company. The Hub was set up in 2011 and since then has helped thousands of businesses across Greater Manchester to grow, develop and reach their full potential.

Its services are open to new start-ups right through to well established companies. It offers a whole range of joined-up business services. The only criteria is that growth and job creation are a key part of the business’s agenda.

Its services are delivered by experienced business advisors, many of whom are sector specialists who have successfully set up and grown their own businesses, before joining the Hub for a new challenge and to pass on their expertise and insider knowledge.

Support covers the following areas so please refer to the separate sections by clicking on the appropriate link on the website.

  • Setting up and starting your business
  • Growing your business
  • Mentoring guidance
  • Digital marketing
  • Growth through innovation
  • Access to Finance (this includes loans)
  • Manufacturing advice and support

Contact: T: 0161 359 3050 E: bgh@growthco.uk

Visit the Business Growth Hub website for further advice.

Green Growth Service (Part of Business Growth Hub)

The Green Growth Service offers free specialist advice to help you improve resource efficiency, cut bills and become more profitable. Local advisors can help you reduce energy, water and material use, manage waste, review design specifications and improve process efficiency. It is available to all small and medium sized north west businesses.

Contact: T: 0161 359 3050 E: info@businessgrowthhub.com

Visit the Business Growth Hub website for further advice.

Sustainable Transport

There is a number of different support and funding projects available to companies to encourage the use of sustainable transport, in particular those who are facing problems around lack of car parking for their employees.  Below is an overview of some of the initiatives that are available:

 Access to a sustainable £10,000 travel grant;

  • Bus and Metrolink ticket discounts for your staff, to make it easier to access jobs at your location;
  • Free access to the Car Share GM car sharing site,;
  • Advice and events to promote sustainable travel;
  • And, bespoke travel information to your staff to advise on the best to commute to work;

Visit the Transport for Greater Manchester website for further advice.

Starting a New Food Business

A step by step guide to starting your own food business covering topics such as:

  • Registering your business
  • Food hygiene training
  • Food safety management systems

The Environmental Health Team also offers a wealth of information and support to ensure your business meets current regulations regarding food hygiene.

Visit the Trafford Council website for further advice.

Princes Trust

The Princes Trust provides a four-stage enterprise programme for 18-30 year olds which gives you time to learn more about setting up a business, as well as space and time for you to make big decisions that could change your future forever.

Visit the Princes Trust website  for further advice.

Virgin Start Up

Virgin Start Up is a not-for-profit organisation that helps entrepreneurs aged 18 and over in England get the funding, resources and advice they’ll need to make their business idea a reality. You can register your interest online and a Virgin Start Up business advisor will call you to find out the kind of help and advice you need.

Visit the Virgin Start-Up website for further advice.