Kirklees Together

Small Business Saturday is a chance to celebrate the independent shops, makers, cafés, service providers and start-ups that play such an important role in our local communities. Across Kirklees, thousands of small businesses keep our high streets vibrant, bring people together, and provide jobs and opportunities in every town and village.

Behind the scenes, our Business Kirklees and Area Based Account Manager teams work year-round to support these businesses to start well, grow confidently, and adapt to the challenges they face. From helping someone take their first step into self-employment to guiding established businesses through change, our support is free and open to anyone in Kirklees.

Bringing ideas to life

Every year, hundreds of people take their first steps into business through our Start-Up support, receiving:

· one-to-one guidance

· tailored mentoring

· help understanding business planning, funding and regulations

· connections to local networks and workshops

Whether someone is creating a product, making something handmade, offering a service or launching a digital business, support is available from the start.

Supporting with growth and next steps

Our teams also work closely with businesses ready to grow, helping them to:

· find suitable spaces

· upskill staff through the Employment & Skills service

· access apprenticeships and help with recruitment

· explore new income streams

· build connections with other local organisations

Place-based support in every town

Our Area Based Account Managers work directly with businesses across Kirklees, getting to know local high streets, understanding the challenges people are facing, and offering hands-on support. This includes:

· linking businesses to council teams for planning, licensing and business rates queries

· helping with signage, advertising consent and regulatory advice

· promoting local events

· building connections between neighbouring businesses

· supporting those adapting to town centre changes or redevelopment

Because each area has its own strengths (and challenges), our support is shaped around what will help local businesses most.

Start working with our teams

We’re proud to work with independent businesses every day of the year. Small Business Saturday is just one moment to highlight their contribution, but our support continues long afterwards.

If you run a business in Kirklees, or are thinking about starting one, we’re here to help. Contact business.kirklees@kirklees.gov.uk or visit the Business Kirklees website.