Cost of living support for businesses

Financial support from businesses and organisations

• Backing Essex Business provide financial support and advice for businesses based in North Essex.
• CBI can help your business with the rise of inflation
• Colchester Ultra Ready can help your business with business support around finances, employment and skills, operating lawfully and more.  
• Business Debtline provide a free debt advice service online or over the phone. 
• Employment Allowance lets employers lower their Annual National Insurance liability. 
• A 'Time to Pay arrangement' means you can pay back your tax in installments if you are not able to pay your tax in full. 

Beware of scams 

• The National Cyber Security Centre can help keep your business safe online. 

Organisations that can help your business save energy

• Ofgem can help if your business is struggling with its energy bills.
• Carbon Trust team up with businesses, government and financial institutions to help them become more energy efficient.
  • A range of guides from the Carbon Trust offer information on energy efficiency for your business.
    • Commissioning an energy efficiency project
    • Effective energy management for business guide
    • SME guide to financing energy efficiency projects
• Help with your energy bills

Tips to save energy and water

• Carry out an energy audit of your business to identify opportunities to save energy. The Carbon Trust have a useful checklist of questions to help guide you through an energy audit.
• Replace existing lighting with LED.
• Ensure equipment is not left on standby (unless required to be kept running in the background).
• Install water flow restrictor devices on taps, waterless urinals, sensor based taps. Waterwise have further information to help your business save water.
• Install motion sensor lighting or ensure lighting is only focussed on required areas. For example, use lamps to light smaller areas rather than a whole room.
• Purchase energy efficient ICT equipment with an Energy Star label.
• Install double/triple glazing and insulate roofs and walls.
• Keep doors shut where possible, and install draught excluders to reduce heat loss.
• Install smart meters to pay for what you use and give you accurate bills. Smart Energy GB has information on how you can request a smart meter for your business.

Recruitment and training opportunities

• Essex Opportunities provides information on careers, jobs, apprentiships, skills and training. 
• Advertise a job using the ‘Find a job’ service which has replaced Universal Jobmatch. 
• ECL are helping adults with learning disabilities and autism to embark on paid employment opportunities.

Wellbeing

• Essex Working Well provides free wellbeing and health support and advice. 

Support organisations 

• Colbea: The Colchester Business Enterprise Agency
• FSB can help if you're self employed or run a small business. 
• Colchester Pubwatch are an online community tackling crime and anti-social behaviour. 
• Essex Chambers of Commerce provide business support, training and more. 
• Central Government can help ith finances and business support. 
• Ambitious Women in Essex are there to support women running or part of local businesses.