Dealing with the economic downturn

The council recognises that local businesses may be suffering from the economic downturn, either directly or indirectly through struggling suppliers, and has compiled this information to support and offer signposting to businesses. For a quick guide to business support see our "Quick guide to business support".

Other information on finance for businesses is available including;

• Government "real help now" guide - a comprehensive guide for both residents (see the red sections) and businesses (green sections) telling you what support is available now.  It is available to download from the right hand side of the screen
• Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) document - "help available for businesses", which is available to download from the right hand side of the screen
• SEEDA - view the "open for business" document on the right of this screen to see a summary of the support available from SEEDA and its partners
• Business Link - South Oxfordshire businesses can receive a free business review with Business Link by completing the free business review flyer available to download from the right of this screen.

Other ways to help your business

• if you have any planning issues or are looking for development opportunities contact planning
• keep an eye on our business events page for latest networking opportunities
• sign up to our regular e-newsletter for hints and tips and the local news for businesses in South Oxfordshire
• think about starting your own business or get some free one to one business mentoring from Oxfordshire Business Enterprises (OBE) tel: 01295 227082 or TBAC  tel: 01865 893305

Worried about facing redundancy?

South Oxfordshire District Council is committed to helping local people facing the threat of redundancy and has produced a booklet to give details of key sources of available advice on issues such as employment rights and money worries. There are also ideas to help you find a new job or to explore new opportunities such as setting up your own business. The booklet "worried about facing redundancy - a practical guide" is available to download from the right hand side of the screen.

If in doubt about where to start, contact the economic development team economic.development@southoxon.gov.uk  here at the council - 01491 823421 and we will put you in touch with the right source of help for you.

Alternatively you can contact Business Link on 0845 600 9 006 or visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/realhelp/finance for more information, a business healthcheck or an initial diagnosis of eligibility.