Running a small business can feel isolating, especially when you hit a problem that feels too big to solve on your own but too small to justify paying a consultant. That is exactly the gap that Growth Hubs were set up to fill. Across England — and with equivalents in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland — there are local organisations whose entire job is to help businesses like yours find the support, advice, and funding they need to grow. And most of it costs nothing.

What Is a Growth Hub?

Growth Hubs are locally based business support organisations, typically part-funded by central government and local enterprise partnerships or mayoral combined authorities. Think of them as a front door to the business support landscape in your area. Rather than trying to work out which agency, programme, or grant scheme might help you, a Growth Hub adviser can listen to where you are and what you need, and then point you in the right direction.

They are not just signposting services, though. Most hubs run their own programmes of workshops, group sessions, and one-to-one advisory support covering topics from business planning and finance to marketing, exporting, and digital skills.

What Kind of Support Can You Get?

While every hub is slightly different depending on local priorities and funding, the types of support you can typically expect include:

  • Free one-to-one business advice — a session with an experienced adviser to talk through a challenge, plan, or decision you are facing.
  • Workshops and events — often free or low cost, covering topics like cash flow, social media, writing tenders, and employment law basics.
  • Grant signposting — advisers who know the local and national funding landscape and can tell you what you might be eligible for. If you are working on a grant application, our guide to writing a winning grant application is a useful companion.
  • Referrals to specialist support — whether you need help with intellectual property, exporting, or recruitment, your hub can often connect you with the right programme or expert.
  • Peer networks and group learning — many hubs run peer groups or cohort programmes where business owners learn alongside each other.

How to Find Your Local Growth Hub

In England, you can find your local Growth Hub through the Business Support Helpline or by searching online for your area's Growth Hub. Each region has its own — so a business in the West Midlands, for example, would go to the Growth Hub covering that area, while a business in Cornwall would find a different one with programmes suited to that local economy.

If you are in Scotland, Business Gateway provides similar local business support across the country. In Wales, Business Wales plays a comparable role. In Northern Ireland, Invest NI is the main port of call for business growth support.

The simplest approach: search "[your area or region] Growth Hub" or go to GOV.UK and look for business support in your area. You can also call the government's Business Support Helpline for England, which can direct you to local provision.

You do not need to have a specific problem or be at a particular stage to contact a Growth Hub. Many business owners go along to an initial conversation just to find out what is available — and come away with leads they had not expected.

Other Free Support Worth Knowing About

Growth Hubs are just one part of a wider landscape of free and low-cost business support. Here are a few others worth exploring:

The British Business Bank

The British Business Bank does not lend directly to businesses, but it funds a network of lenders and programmes, and its website has useful guidance on finance options for smaller businesses — including Start Up Loans, which come with free mentoring as standard.

Mentoring

The government has supported various mentoring schemes over the years, and some continue to operate. Organisations like the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and local chambers of commerce often run or signpost mentoring. A good mentor — someone who has built a business in your sector or faced similar challenges — can be worth more than any workshop.

Enterprise Europe Network

If you are interested in working with businesses in other countries or exploring overseas markets, the Enterprise Europe Network has advisers based in the UK who offer free support on international trade and partnership.

HMRC's Business Education and Support Team

HMRC runs free webinars and recorded sessions on topics like VAT, payroll, and self assessment. These are not glamorous, but if you are navigating a tax issue for the first time, they can save you a lot of confusion — and a potentially costly mistake.

Making the Most of Support That Is Already There

One of the most common things business advisers say is that too many small business owners do not ask for help until they are in difficulty. The reality is that the best time to engage with your local Growth Hub or a mentor is before things get hard — when you have the headspace to think strategically rather than reactively.

If you are also looking at funding options, it is worth reading our article on government grants for UK small businesses in 2026, which covers the types of grant funding available and where to look. Your local Growth Hub adviser will often have an up-to-date picture of what is live in your area right now.

Quick Actions to Take This Week

  • Search for your local Growth Hub and find their website or phone number.
  • Book an initial conversation or discovery call — most are free with no obligation.
  • Sign up to your hub's newsletter or events list to stay informed of workshops and funding announcements.
  • If you are in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, look up Business Gateway, Business Wales, or Invest NI respectively.
  • Check whether your local chamber of commerce or FSB branch runs networking or peer support events.