Starting and growing your business in West Oxfordshire
Starting or expanding a business is an exciting journey and West Oxfordshire offers a wide range of support to help you succeed. Whether you're launching a new venture or scaling up, this guide connects you with local resources, expert advice, and funding opportunities.
Achieving Customer Excellence (ACE) is a fully funded programme supporting West Oxfordshire businesses to improve customer experience through clear feedback, mystery shopping and tailored support. Delivered with Insight6, the programme helps build confident teams, encourage repeat visits and celebrate outstanding service through the ACE Awards. Find out more here.
Alternatively, you can download this flyer for further information:
Achieving Customer Excellence (ACE) flyer - pdf - 1.13 Mb
Getting started
- Business Structures Explore the options—sole trader, limited company, or partnership—on GOV.UK:
https://www.gov.uk/set-up-business
- Registering as Self-Employed Official guidance on becoming a sole trader:
https://www.gov.uk/become-sole-trader
- The Start Up Kit Enterprise Nation's Start Up Kit is for anyone considering or starting a business. This kit offers all the tools and tips you need to succeed. It'll help you find an idea, spot a gap in the market and start your own small business. Download here.
- Pension support for Self-employed: Pensions for the self-employed: what you need to know - Aviva
- Business Document Templates: Everything from job descriptions to incident reports and everything else an organisation might need. Visit: Proton: Business document templates
Local support programmes
- Enterprise Oxfordshire The first place to come to when starting out is EO with their Business Support tool, they can advice on projects and programmes to support you and worth following on Linked-in too for updates on short online courses Business Support Tool - Enterprise Oxfordshire Business
- The Help to Grow: Management course provides practical leadership and business growth training for small and medium‑sized businesses, delivered by business schools and supported by government funding.
- Businesses and individuals in West Oxfordshire can get free, tailored support through Community Catalysts to start or grow small, local care and community support services. The programme offers practical guidance, mentoring and help to develop safe, sustainable ideas that meet local needs—creating new income opportunities while supporting the community. If you have an idea or want to explore what’s possible, watch this video and contact Community Catalysts to get started.
Planning for growth
- Business Plan Template Downloadable template via Enterprise Nation: https://www.enterprisenation.com/find-something/my-start-up-plan-business-plan-template/
- The NatWest Accelerator app helps entrepreneurs connect with a community of like-minded business owners, access expert-led events, and gain practical tools for growth. It offers networking opportunities, advice on funding, sales, and leadership, plus coaching and mentoring through one-to-one sessions or peer learning. Users can attend workshops and masterclasses online or in person, making it a flexible platform for developing business-critical skills and unlocking new growth opportunities. Download here.
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Business Academy On-Demand Videos: From marketing essentials to hiring guidance and exporting support, these bite-sized videos from Business.gov.uk give you practical tips you can put into action straight away.
Need help?
For tailored guidance, reach out to the Economic Development Team at West Oxfordshire District Council:
- Email: business@westoxon.gov.uk
- Phone: 01993 861482
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Section |
Resource |
Live URL |
|---|---|---|
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Business Structures |
GOV.UK – Set Up a Business |
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Register as Self-Employed |
GOV.UK – Become a Sole Trader |
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|
Start-Up Guides |
West Oxfordshire District Council |
|
|
OxLEP Business Spark |
Enterprise Oxfordshire |
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|
Enterprise Nation |
SME Community & Resources |
|
|
Business Plan Template |
Enterprise Nation |
|
|
Startup Donut |
Business Planning Guides |
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|
OxLEP Grant Schemes |
Innovation & Visitor Economy Grants |
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Start Up Loans |
Government-backed Loans & Mentoring |
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|
Better Business Finance |
Impartial Finance Advice |
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Enterprise Oxfordshire |
Business Support Tool & Growth Hub |
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Business Buzz Networking |
Local Networking Events |
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|
Witney Business & Innovation Centre |
Office Space & Events |