New one-stop shop launched to help Portsmouth’s businesses grow and thrive

A new one-stop shop service has got off the ground to help Portsmouth’s businesses grow and thrive.

Shaping Portsmouth in partnership with Portsmouth City Council has launched the Portsmouth Business Support Service (PBSS).

It brings together a wide range of free services, from mentoring on business and finance planning to digital marketing and access to funding, data, and training.

By combining the expertise of the council’s Economic Development and Skills team with Shaping Portsmouth, PBSS will offer a one-stop shop for comprehensive support and work to identify solutions to meet the needs of local business.

Through Shaping Portsmouth, a team of volunteer business mentors will be available to support local businesses on a range of topics including funding and finance support, business planning, HR, and marketing.

Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council with responsibility for economic development said: “Our priority is to grow Portsmouth’s economy.

“We recognise that there is a lot of free advice for business and organisations, but it is often difficult to know where to look or where to start.

“By working directly with Shaping Portsmouth, PBSS will help our city’s businesses find the right support, whatever stage the business is at.”

Stef Nienaltowski, CEO of Shaping Portsmouth, said: “When we started out on this project to join our two teams into one that is focused on giving the right advice and support at the right time for each business, we did not appreciate just how much free support there is available.

“By working together with the council’s economic development and skills team, we can now offer this easy to navigate service which will be a force for good for our future business growth.””

PBSS has also won support from partners Business South, FSB, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, Solent Business and Skills Solutions, Solent Partners, University of Portsmouth and WSX Enterprise.

• To access the new Portsmouth Business Support Service call 023 9284 1641 or visit portsmouthbusinesssupport.org.uk.

To get the best of Hampshire Biz News straight to your inbox every week, sign up for our newsletter!