Your July Newsletter
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Welcome to your July update from the West Sussex Growth Hub!
We know many of you are heading into the school holidays with children at home, and perhaps even planning to take a well-deserved break yourselves. Whether you're stepping away for a summer holiday or continuing to drive your business forward, we’re here to support you with practical tools, opportunities, and expert advice.
This month’s newsletter is packed with resources to help you stay on track. Whether you're working at full speed or taking things a little slower. However you’re spending your summer, we’re here to help you make it count.
Who are we? The West Sussex Growth Hub, delivered by West Sussex County Council, is here to help local businesses start, grow, and thrive. Whether you're launching a new venture or scaling an established business, our experienced team provides personalised, expert advice tailored to your goals.
We are fully funded by the Department for Business and Trade, which allows us to offer all our services completely free to businesses across the county.
To find out more about our services or to book in some time with the team, complete an enquiry form here or email us on WSCC.GrowthHub@westsussex.gov.uk.
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Better Business Show 2025 returns!
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Whether you're a start-up, freelancer, or seasoned entrepreneur, the Better Business Show 2025 is your chance to connect, collaborate, and grow! And it's completely free to attend.
Date: Thursday 18 September 2025 Time: 10am – 3pm Venue: Worthing Leisure Centre
Hosted by Worthing & Adur Chamber, this flagship event brings together over 80 exhibitors and hundreds of business professionals for a high-energy day of networking, learning, and opportunity.
What to expect
- 80+ local exhibitors from diverse sectors
- Speed networking to make fast, valuable connections
- Expert-led advice clinics on key business topics
- Buyers and decision-makers from larger organisations
- A buzzing, supportive atmosphere full of local business energy
Whether you're looking to raise your profile, find new clients, or simply get inspired, the Better Business Show is the place to be.
Register now for free. Exhibitor opportunities are also still available, find out more here.
We hope to see you there!
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Free Autumn Workshops Aim to Regenerate Coastal Hospitality and Attract Year-Round Foodie Travellers
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This Autumn, the Sussex Hospitality & Tourism Network launches a new programme of free business workshops designed to regenerate coastal towns, build stronger local connections, and attract year-round, experience-led travellers who stay longer and spend more.
In partnership with Experience Sussex and Sussex by the Sea, the workshops are open to all hospitality, tourism, and food & drink businesses across the region, from short stay accommodation providers, independent hotels, guest houses and cafés to local producers, pubs, attractions and wellness venues. Not forgetting retail businesses who are also key in supporting the growth of the visitor experience.
Led by industry experts, the workshops will provide practical marketing tools and creative skills in an informal, collaborative setting with plenty of space for networking, local inspiration, and shared ideas.
All events will take place at the iconic East Beach Café, a Thomas Heatherwick-designed coastal venue in Littlehampton. Sessions are free to attend but must be booked in advance.
Workshop Schedule
- Sep 9: Social Media Secrets with Victoria Hilditch from Vinco Marketing
- Sep 23: iPhone Food Photography with Sarah Thompson, Sussex Kitchen PR
- Oct 7: Email Marketing for Hospitality with Ben Walton from On A Plate Growth Agency
- Nov 4: Entrepreneur Mindset with top Hotel Consultant Andrew Mosley
- Nov 11: Writing SEO Blogs that Work with Lucy Pitts, Sussex Exclusive
Ready to get involved? Places are free but limited and expected to fill fast. Sign up here and be the first to hear about new workshops and future networking events from the Sussex Hospitality & Tourism Network.
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Future CEO - Peer Support Programme
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We’re excited to announce the upcoming launch of Future CEO.
An exclusive peer support programme for ambitious business owners ready to step into their next level of leadership.
We’re finalising venues and dates, but pre-registrations are NOW OPEN!
With only 16 spaces available across the county, early registration is highly recommended to secure your place.
What you’ll get
- Monthly peer support sessions (6 total)
- 1-to-1 coaching
- A confidential space to solve real business challenges
- Support from like-minded leaders
Entry Requirements
- Minimum of 3 employees
- Trading for 2+ years
- £250k+ turnover
Email us on WSCC.GrowthHub@westsussex.gov.uk to register your interest.
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Nominations Now Open for the 2025 Chichester & District Business Awards!
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Has your business gone above and beyond for your customers? Grown against the odds? Delivered innovative solutions that set you apart? Led the way on operating more sustainably and adapting to climate change?
Do you know a business or individual that deserves to be recognised at these prestigious awards? Now’s your chance to celebrate them.
The Chichester Observer Series has launched the 2025 Chichester & District Business Awards – a celebration of local business excellence. These awards are all about recognising, rewarding, and celebrating the remarkable individuals and organisations that drive success and progress in Chichester district.
There are categories to recognise a wide cross section of businesses whether your business is a startup; a long established businesses; on an industrial estate; in a rural area or on the high street.
Nominations are open now – but hurry! The deadline is the 10th September.
For more details, visit the website here.
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Fuel Your Business Growth: Start Your Business with the UK Export Academy
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Are you ready to turn your passion into a thriving business? Whether you're nurturing a side hustle, dreaming of launching your own company, or simply exploring a business idea, the UK Export Academy can help you take the leap!
Start Your Business is a dynamic six-part series designed to equip budding entrepreneurs with the essential tools and knowledge to kick-start their journey. Delivered by the Department for Business and Trade, this series goes beyond exporting, it's about building strong, sustainable businesses from the ground up.
This programme is perfect for you if:
- You’re ready to start a business
- You have a passion or idea you want to turn into a company
- You’re a sole trader or side hustler looking to grow
Full details can be found on the the website here.
Did you know? The UK Export Academy isn’t just for businesses looking to export. It supports entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, from idea to international growth.
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DASA: Apply For Funding
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The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) find and fund exploitable innovation to support UK defence and security. Their mission is not only to enhance national security but also to drive UK prosperity by supporting innovators, entrepreneurs, and businesses across the country.
Various grant funding opportunities are currently open for applications. From early-stage concepts to more developed technologies.
Check out their website here to explore current funding calls and see how your innovation could make a difference.
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Upcoming Events With Us
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We are offering variety of free events designed to support businesses of all sizes and sectors. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, there's something for you.
These events are:
- Completely free
- Open to all businesses
- Available to anyone located in West Sussex
Here are some of the upcoming events you won’t want to miss:
Don't forget to keep your eyes peeled for our Future CEO - Peer Support Programme too!
Photo credit: Beefocused Photography
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Developing a Sustainability Strategy – Free Workshop at Gatwick Airport
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Looking to make your business more sustainable but not sure where to start? Join this free 2-hour workshop on Developing a Sustainability Strategy, hosted at Gatwick Airport.
This beginner-level session is ideal for businesses at the early stages of their sustainability journey.
You’ll gain:
- A clear understanding of why sustainability matters for your business
- A framework to start building your own sustainability strategy
- Practical ideas to take away and implement
- The chance to ask questions to Imogen Player, Senior Consultant at Action Sustainability
Date & Time: Wednesday 30th July, 10am - 12pm. Virtual, via Teams. Requirements: Internet-connected device and a smartphone/tablet for interactive tools.
Sign up here.
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We're Social!
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We’re active on social! Are you following us yet?
Stay connected with the latest updates, free events, and business support by following us on our social media channels. It’s the easiest way to stay in the know and keep up to date with the Growth Hub trio!
We now also share this newsletter via LinkedIn to make it more accessible for businesses to read. Please feel free to subscribe here.
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