East Lothian

Business Gateway East Lothian provides expert support and guidance to new and existing businesses.

We have a wealth of experience and free resources to help you start up or grow your business. Find out what support is available below.

Thinking of Starting a Business?

There are many ways we can support your start-up journey.

Our Planning To Start tool is a great place to begin. It takes just 10 minutes to complete and provides you with an instant toolkit with key resources & information. We'll then connect you with a member of the team at our local office for further support.

Our website offers a business plan guide and template to download when you’re ready, market reports and research, as well as handy online guides and articles, video tutorials and podcasts. Plus, we have a great range of webinars to hone your start-up skills – from writing a business plan to marketing on a budget.

With our help, you could be in business sooner than you imagined.

Running a Business?

Our resources and one-to-one support can help you strengthen your business.

Whether you’re looking to take on premises or learn more about digital marketing, we can help you take the next step. Get started by taking 10 minutes to complete our Strengthen Your Business Tool and get a personalised dashboard of online resources and webinars.

We know that your time is in short supply, so we also offer one-to-one advice at a time and day to suit you. Together, you and your business adviser can create a strategic action plan to suit your ambitions.

Our online resources and webinars can help you learn new skills, create opportunities and gain confidence. From HR to restructuring, innovation and digital marketing - we can help. And if specialist input is required, we can connect you to other sources of support.

Improve your Digital Skills

Access webinars, online guides and a Digital Health Check.

From digital marketing strategy to social media, e-Commerce, cyber security and more, we can help boost your digital performance.

Our Digital Health Check is a great place to start. It will help pinpoint your digital strengths, areas you could improve, and how we can help, and it only takes 5 minutes to complete.

East Lothian Investment Ltd

Loans are available to new and existing businesses that show commercial viability and growth potential.

Biz East Lothian Networking Events

We run free and informal networking events across East Lothian, covering various business topics.

A chance to meet other businesses and get involved. Details are posted on our social media channels:

Business Gateway East Lothian X (Twitter)
Business Gateway East Lothian Facebook
Business Gateway East Lothian LinkedIn

Childminder Start-up Grant

Grants are available to new childminders in East Lothian.

The grant will cover start-up costs such as safety equipment. Call us on 01620 827 870 for more details.

Council Services

East Lothian Council has various services that are useful to businesses.

These include: Economic Development; Planning; Licencing; Non-domestic Rates; Environmental Health; Estates and Trading Standards.

The Women's Business Centre

The Women's Business Centre is a website designed to support women at the pre-start and start-up through to growth stages of their business journey.

Operated by Women’s Enterprise Scotland, the Women's Business Centre website is free to access and offers dedicated, needs-based content on starting and growing a business, including stories, encouragement and top tips from leading business owners across Scotland.

Supplier Development Programme (SDP)

The Supplier Development Programme provides support through a range of free tender training, e-learning modules and Meet the Buyer events to help Scottish SMEs, social enterprises and third sector organisations in bidding for public sector opportunities.

Redundancy Support

Support is available to businesses considering making redundancies. Please speak to one of our Business Advisers in the first instance.

Our advisers can help you look at your business challenges and then help you make the next practical steps. Along with that we can introduce you to PACE – Partnership Action for Continuing Employment.

Other Business Support across Scotland

Information on the free advice and support available from Scotland’s public sector business support organisations is available to find, all in one place, at Find Business Support.

Find your nearest office

Business Gateway Musselburgh

Queen Margaret University
Musselburgh
EH21 6UU
Get directions
01620 827 870

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday, by appointment

09:00 to 15:00

Business Gateway Haddington

East Lothian Council
John Muir House
Haddington
EH41 3HA
Get directions
01620 827 870

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday, by appointment

09.00 to 16.00