The team at Business Gateway Lanarkshire has a wealth of experience, resources and workshops to teach you everything from starting up to growing your business. At a local level, your Business Adviser can offer free 1:1 support in-person, over the phone, video call or email, providing more in-depth services tailored to you and your business needs. From researching your idea and target market, establishing, and improving your web presence to taking on employees or developing your sales skills - our support can help you achieve your goals.
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.
Our 1:1 advice, online resources and webinars can help you plan, adapt and grow.
We know that your time is in short supply, so we offer 1:1 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.
Access webinars, online guides and a Digital Health Check with our DigitalBoost programme.
From digital marketing strategy to social media, e-Commerce, cyber security and more, we can help boost your digital performance.
Our DigitalBoost 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.
Business Gateway Lanarkshire has access to a wide range of funding and finance programmes to support the growth and development of your business.
Our advisers can help to identify appropriate funding and guide you through the eligibility criteria and application process, supporting you with reviewing business plan & cashflow forecasts as part of the application process.
North Lanarkshire Council - Business Start Up Fund
Do you need funding to help start your business? 100% funding of up to £1,000 or £2,500 is available to help pre-start businesses in North Lanarkshire with a robust and viable business idea to start trading earlier than would otherwise be possible. This offers funding for essential business purchases such as IT equipment, infrastructure, website design and stock costs. Eligibility criteria applies. For more information or to apply contact us now on 01698 756956.
We know that running a business can be both rewarding and challenging, trying to grow sales and profit can be difficult. Our local team can help you face the challenges to achieve your ambitions.
We can support you to develop and implement your growth strategy through 1:1 advice, provide access to a range of business experts, funding programmes and to local and national business support, plus a number of local networking and business skills workshops.
Taking on staff can be a challenging process. Our advisers can provide you with details of areas of consideration when taking on new members of staff.
From contractual requirements, sick pay, holiday pay, disciplinary and many other areas. If it is your first time taking on an employee then we can provide you with much of this information from one of our HR professionals.
Business Gateway Lanarkshire has a dedicated team working with the enterprising third sector.
If you are thinking about starting or already running a social enterprise, we can help you with business advice and access to further support.
Working together in partnership Business Gateway Lanarkshire, local service providers such as accountants, banks, lawyers, consultants can generate real results with client businesses.
Our team also has strong links with local business groups such as Lanarkshire Chamber, FSB and CEED.
If you’re an entrepreneur between the ages of 18 – 30, let our local team support you with starting your new venture or help your existing business reach its next goal.
We have extensive links to national support agencies for young entrepreneurs and can help you with business planning, marketing, access to finance, training and more. Our Young Entrepreneur Starter Pack workshop with support you with many of the considerations relating to identifying and researching an idea to information on starting your business and accessing funding for your business.
Lanarkshire-based SME’s looking to start or develop their business could be eligible for up to 5 days fully funded support from specialists.
Tailored, expert advice is available across a range of business areas and could support you in:
- Business Financial Management
- Business Development and Strategy
- HR, Leadership & Skills
- Procurement
- Marketing
- Information and Digital Technology
- Energy efficiencies and Net Zero
- New Market Opportunities and Internationalisation
Eligibility criteria applies. To find out more or apply for consultancy support call our team at 01698 756956.
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.
SDP is a public sector partnership which delivers a variety of free tender training.
Registration for SDP events is free for Scottish SMEs, and will connect your business with your local authority’s SDP Rep who can offer your business additional support.
Your local Business Gateway office can offer free support to any business considering making redundancies.
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.
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
North Lanarkshire

1 Finch Way
Strathclyde Business Park
Bellshill
ML4 3PE
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday
09:00 to 17:00
South Lanarkshire

Prism House
SE Technology Park
East Kilbride
G75 0QF
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday
09:00 to 17:00