As at 12 November 2026, reviewed every three months
Business support in Hampshire
Public help for businesses comes from a few kinds of place. Start with your council’s business team or the growth hub for your area, and check with them what they offer now.
The kinds of support
Four kinds most businesses in the county can turn to. Each is different from place to place.
A growth hub
- What it usually does
- A publicly funded service that helps businesses find the right support: advice, programmes and introductions to people who can help.
- Who it suits
- Businesses that want to grow and are not sure where to start.
- How to find yours
- Search for the growth hub for your area, or ask your council’s business team which one covers you.
Your council’s business team
- What it usually does
- Many district and borough councils have a business or economic development team: local news for business, premises, licences and local programmes.
- Who it suits
- Anyone starting or running a business in that council’s area.
- How to find yours
- Look for business support on your district or borough council’s website.
A chamber of commerce
- What it usually does
- A membership body for the businesses of a place. It runs events and speaks up for local firms; some help with exporting and its paperwork.
- Who it suits
- Firms that want events, a voice locally, or help selling abroad.
- How to find yours
- Check which chamber covers your town on their own sites. What does a chamber of commerce do →
A library business and IP centre
- What it usually does
- Some larger libraries have a business and intellectual property centre: market research databases, workshops, and help with protecting names, brands and ideas.
- Who it suits
- People with an idea, a new brand or a business to research.
- How to find yours
- Ask your library service whether there is one near you.
Where to start
By what you need. If the first place cannot help, they usually know who can.
- Starting up
- Your council’s business team, or the growth hub
- Growing or taking people on
- The growth hub
- Selling abroad
- A chamber of commerce
- Names, brands and ideas
- A library business and IP centre
- Finding premises
- Your council’s business team
Events led by business support
Workshops, clinics and talks run by support bodies, in the next four weeks.
Wednesday 18 Nov
Wednesday 25 Nov
Thursday 26 Nov
As listed on hampshire.events on 13 November 2026. Organisers set their own dates and prices, so check with them before you go.
The week ahead, every Monday.
Every event in the county for the next seven days, posted first thing on Monday on LinkedIn and Facebook.