Hello April!

As we enter April, many businesses across West Sussex are progressing into the next phase of their yearly objectives. It’s a month where strategies start turning into action, and we’re here to ensure that momentum is supported with practical, accessible business support.

This months newsletter brings together a selection of free, easily accessible support - from skills-building webinars to relevant grant opportunities, designed to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re reviewing priorities or exploring new areas for growth, these resources are here to support your next steps.

So take a moment, put your feet up, and catch up on what’s available this month. A short pause now might make a useful difference to the months ahead.

About West Sussex Growth Hub
The West Sussex Growth Hub is a free, fully funded business support service delivered by West Sussex County Council and funded by the Department for Business and Trade. Our role is to help businesses across West Sussex start, grow, and succeed by providing straightforward, practical support that’s easy to access.

Contact us today to access your FREE support.

Tax Confident: understanding tax for your business

HMRC has developed 'Tax Confident' to help you feel confident and in control when it comes to understanding your business and tax. 

From VAT and corporation tax, to registering for Self Assessment, you'll find simple explanations, videos and tools to help you understand the basics and fill in any knowledge gaps you might have.

Get Tax Confident today.

LEAP Small Business Grants – Reopening THIS APRIL

Horsham District Council's LEAP Small Business grants will reopen on Friday 10 April 2026 at midday, offering up to £5,000 to support climate friendly projects by start-ups and small businesses in Horsham District.

These grants provide a valuable boost for businesses looking to future proof operations and deliver on their sustainability goals.

If you’re planning a project that reduces environmental impact or strengthens your green ambitions, this is a great opportunity to apply for funding.

More details can be found on the Horsham District Council website here.

New High Street support guide now available

Businesses operating on our high streets are facing a period of fast change and having access to the right guidance has never been more important. To help local retailers, hospitality venues, and service-based businesses navigate the current landscape, a brand new High Street Support Guide has just been released.

The guide, created by Enterprise Nation in partnership with the Department for Business and Trade, brings together the most relevant Government support available, how to access that support, along with some other great resources for businesses with a physical premises. 

Whether you want to understand what financial relief is available, explore improvement schemes, or simply get a clearer sense of the help you can access as a high street business, this guide is an excellent place to start.

Download the full guide here.

Explore what other support Enterprise Nation can offer.

Shop Front & High Street Improvement Grants

A £128,000 Shop Front and High Street Improvement Fund is now available with Crawley Borough Council to support independent and small businesses in Crawley. Eligible retailers in Crawley town centre and neighbourhood parades can apply for grants of up to £5,000 or up to £20,000 for joint applications from up to four neighbouring businesses.

The scheme aims to boost footfall, strengthen local independents, and enhance the appearance of Crawley’s high streets. Funding can support visual improvements such as shop front upgrades, lighting, minor building works, display equipment, and operational enhancements like payment systems.

Businesses must be independent, employ fewer than 50 people, and have a physical premises in Crawley. All applications will undergo due diligence, with extra weighting given to projects offering environmental or wellbeing benefits. The programme will run on a rolling basis until funds are allocated.

Full eligibility criteria and further information can be found here.

The Business Academy – FREE business support events

Did you know…
The Business Academy offers free expert-led learning designed to help UK businesses grow with confidence?

Providing access to live events and an extensive library of on-demand videos covering everything from digital skills and marketing to scaling, exporting, and operational excellence. 

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your business global, signing up takes only a few minutes and unlocks immediate access to valuable insights and real-time guidance. 

Sign up today and check out the full list of upcoming events.

Extra Expertise: Introducing David Wride

We’re pleased to share that David Wride is working alongside us at the West Sussex Growth Hub, offering expert guidance to high street businesses and helping organisations secure the funding they need to grow across West Sussex.

David’s supportive, non-judgemental approach makes it easy for business owners to explore challenges, gain clarity and take confident next steps. Whether you need insight on funding, help strengthening your retail operations, or tailored business advice, David is here to make growth feel achievable.

We’re delighted to have him on board and look forward to the positive impact he’ll bring to businesses throughout the region.

To access this FREE support, email us on WSCC.GrowthHub@westsussex.gov.uk.

Join the Sussex Six: Celebrate Local Food & Drink

Sussex is home to an incredible range of food and drink producers - farmers, brewers, bakers, winemakers and artisans creating exceptional local products. Yet many people don’t always know which shops, pubs, cafés, restaurants and caterers truly support these producers. That’s where the Sussex Six Campaign comes in.

All you need to do is stock or serve at least six Sussex-made products and it’s free to join!

With 63% of customers preferring to buy local, telling people about your Sussex suppliers can make a real difference. Showcase them on your shelves, menus, website and social media - name the cheesemaker, the farmer down the road, the local brewery, the bakery or the vineyard behind what you sell.

Join the local food and drink campaign here.

We're Social!

We’re active across social media! Sharing tips, opportunities, success stories and plenty of local business energy.

Instagram: Share Your Business Friday - Your FREE spotlight!
Every other Friday, we post our 'Share Your Business Friday' Reel on Instagram, and this is your moment to shine.

Here’s how it works:

• Find the Reel
• Comment with your business name and a short introduction
• That’s it! You’ve just promoted your business for free to our growing community

It’s simple, friendly and a great way to reach new people who may be looking for exactly what you offer.

We’d love for you to join our online community!
Instagram: @westsussexgrowthhub
LinkedIn: West Sussex Growth Hub
Facebook: West Sussex Growth Hub