Lewes District Council: Business Start-Up Programme
A three-year programme helping Lewes District residents turn business ideas into sustainable enterprises.
Area
Location
The question
How could the council help more residents, including those exploring social enterprises and co-operatives, turn an idea into a business that lasts?
As a community wealth building council, it wanted support that reached the whole district, not just Lewes town.
What we did
We designed a three-stage pathway, from shaping an idea with the Business Model Canvas, through registering a business, to preparing to grow.
It mixes free workshops across the district with webinars, practical guides and one-to-one mentoring.
What happened next
More than 80 residents have taken part so far, with 50 completing the first stage and the first new businesses now registered.
Participants from Newhaven, Peacehaven, Seaford and rural villages say they’ve left with a clear one-page business model and real confidence.
Explore your next move.
Book a free discovery call with our CEO, Richard Freeman – or send us a brief and we’ll give you an honest appraisal of the best way to get from A to B.