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New year, new beginnings
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January might have a reputation for being a bit grey and sleepy, but we like to see it as a giant reset button. The perfect time to refresh your ideas, refocus your goals, and re-energise your business plans for the year ahead.
Whether you’re taking your very first steps on the business journey or you’ve been running your venture for years, we’re here to support you at every stage.
In this edition, we’re diving into a whole range of exciting updates. New grant and business opportunities, networking events to help you build fresh connections, and even a chance to vote for your favourite UK trade marks. There’s plenty to explore, and plenty to kickstart your 2026 momentum.
Who are we?
Hopefully by now, you’re aware of who we are here at the West Sussex Growth Hub! However if you’re not – here’s a quick summary.
West Sussex Growth Hub is fully-funded by the Department of Business and Trade and delivered through West Sussex County Council. We provide free, tailored business support for organisations in West Sussex, of all sizes, connecting you with the right advice, support and resources to help your business achieve it's goals.
Get in touch with us today.
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Evening and Night Time Economy Business Grant – APPLICATIONS OPEN SOON!
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The ENTE Grant supports independent high street businesses in Chichester, East Wittering, Midhurst, Petworth and Selsey that operate, or plan to operate, in the evening and night-time economy.
What the grant can help with:
• Developing new customer offerings
• Increasing footfall and spend
• Enhancing the customer experience
• Working with other high street businesses on evening activities
Eligible project costs include:
• Interior or customer-experience improvements
• Sound quality or sound mitigation equipment
• Promotion of new evening trading hours
• Collaborative ENTE events
• Improvements to operations, efficiency or competitiveness
Key information:
• For independent businesses only (not chains or franchises)
• Up to 50% of eligible costs, max £3,000 (business funds the remaining 50%)
• First come, first served
• Full criteria and guidance are available on the website
• Applications open 2 February 2026
Find out if you're eligible and apply for the Evening and Night-Time Economy (ENTE) Business Grant.
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Fuel Your Business Growth: Marketing, Communications & Branding Workshops
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We are proud to support the Business Academy’s brand-new webinar series, designed to help small businesses find their voice and scale with confidence.
What’s included?
- Authentic branding for growth – Discover how purpose-led, authentic branding builds trust, scales your business, and opens new domestic and international markets.
- Leading the change – Learn to construct a marketing engine that drives growth by treating growth itself as a strategic change project.
- Fuel your growth through storytelling – Unlock the power of narrative to enhance your brand, engage new audiences, and accelerate your journey.
Why join?
- Delivered by award-winning experts
- Live Q&A sessions for personalised insights
- Flexible learning – three sessions you can watch in order (or pick the ones that fit your needs)
- On-demand access to recordings for any missed webinars
Register today and equip your business with the strategies and storytelling skills that build trust, attract customers, and drive sustainable growth.
Sign up for free.
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Our FREE Business Support Clinics are back!
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After the fantastic success of our last two series, we’re thrilled to keep the momentum going and support even more local businesses on their journey.
Looking for expert guidance that’s tailored just for you? Each 1-hour, one-to-one session is delivered by our friendly Growth Hub team, ready to share practical advice across three key areas:
- Operations & Scale-Up – streamline your day-to-day, boost efficiency and build a business that’s ready for whatever comes next, whether it’s small steps or big ambitions.
- Social Media Content – cut through the busy online world and create content that truly connects with your ideal customers.
- Finance – returning Summer 2026.
Take a look at all our upcoming sessions on Eventbrite and book your spot - they tend to fill up quickly!
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Applications for Concessions in Horsham - NOW OPEN
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Calling all business owners and entrepreneurs, Horsham District Council are inviting applications for concessions at Horsham Museum as well as parks, open spaces, and car parks owned by HDC.
Apply by Friday 7 February 2025 if you would like to operate an ice cream van, sell hot drinks, offer a bike fixing service or similar from one of the fantastic locations across the District.
Applications will be determined in line with HDC's policies.
For more information, visit the website here.
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Calling all innovators in A.I., Photonics, Sensors & Electronics!
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The West Sussex Economic Growth Board is bringing together leading voices from across the region’s tech landscape for a powerful event on 5th February 2026 from 10am, at the Sussex & Surrey Institute of Technology, Crawley.
Join business leaders, universities, Innovate UK, the West Sussex Growth Hub, and International Trade Advisors from the Department for Business and Trade for a dynamic and interactive session focused on:
- Emerging market trends – opportunities and barriers to growth
- Support available – including Innovate UK and other providers, plus discussion on what further support would help
- Networking opportunities – connect with business leaders, supply chain contacts, and local/national support organisations
This event promises to be a productive and engaging forum for shaping the future of enabling technologies in West Sussex.
If your business works at the cutting edge of technology, this is where you need to be.
Sign up for your FREE ticket here.
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Something fun – vote for your most iconic UK trade mark!
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The UK’s trade mark registry (where you register your trade marks) was 150 years old on 1 January 2026.
To celebrate this landmark anniversary, the Intellectual Property Office want to know which UK trade mark from the past or present is the most iconic.
What is special about that trade mark, and what is it that makes an iconic trade mark stand out from the rest?
There are currently more than 2.5 million trade marks protected in the UK, although the very first UK trade mark was registered on New Years Day in 1876 by brewers Bass & Co.
Vote for your most iconic trade mark HERE.
If you need advice and support in registering your business trade mark, visit the website.
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