• Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland’s growth hub joins new UK-wide support system
• Service will offer businesses seamless access to both local and national support
• Businesses gain signposting on start up, growth, routes to international trade and more

[LEICESTER, UK 31-7-25] The Business Gateway Growth Hub has welcomed a new partnership with the Government as part of its Business Growth Service. 

The Growth Hub, operating across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, will become part of the new service - led by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

The national service is designed to make it easier for businesses across the UK to locate and access the support they need to start, grow and succeed. It links businesses with free, expert and impartial advice - including local support through regional growth hubs across England.

The new Business Growth Service addresses feedback from businesses that support has previously been difficult to navigate, by connecting support from the UK Government with the vital services also delivered through local partners

Phoebe Dawson, Director of Business Skills, Leicester and Leicestershire Business and Skills Partnership, who is responsible for the Business Gateway Growth Hub, said:

"The Business Growth Service will offer businesses in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland seamless access to both local and national support. 

“This new collaboration will ensure businesses in our region can easily find the right help to start up, grow, and also consider routes to international trade - as and when they need it.”

The Business Gateway Growth Hub will continue to provide personalised support to businesses in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. But it will also be able to connect users with wider government resources through the new integrated system of the Business Growth Service.

Dr Yasin El Ashrafi BEM, Managing Director of Leicester-based HQ Recording and HQ CAN CIC, said:

“Our area has some of the most talented and diverse entrepreneurs in the country and accessing the right support can help them to thrive.

“This new service makes it easier for local businesses to get that support, unlock their full potential, and help to grow our local economy.”

Businesses in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland can access a wide range of support from the Business Growth Service at www.business.gov.uk or the Business Gateway Growth Hub at www.bizgateway.org.uk

Picture shows a Business Gateway Growth Hub event in Leicester (Credit: Beth Walsh)

Business Gateway Growth Hub

The Business Gateway Growth Hub is a trusted source of independent business support in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Part of a national network of Growth Hubs, it provides small and medium-sized businesses with impartial signposting to funding information, networking, growth advice, and more. Research shows that businesses which access support grow faster than those that do not. The Business Gateway Growth Hub’s expert team has established relationships with delivery partners in a wide range of local and national development programmes. It also uses its connections in regional business to make it simpler for busy SMEs to win investment, access training, and become more productive.