Brentwood Borough Council, in partnership with the Let’s Do Business Group, has launched Smart Start Brentwood, a new support programme designed to help local residents and early-stage entrepreneurs start, grow and scale their businesses.
The fully funded initiative offers a comprehensive package of free workshops, expert one-to-one mentoring and access to a Start-Up Grant Scheme to help participants bring their business ideas to life and take existing ventures to the next level.
The programme is open to anyone in Brentwood looking to explore self-employment or strengthen an existing small business. Participants will gain practical, hands-on experience in areas such as marketing, finance, business planning and growth strategy.
Programme highlights
- Side Hustle Workshop – discover how to turn your ideas into income.
- Introduction to Self-Employment – understand the essentials of starting your own business.
- HerBiz – empowering local women in business through a dedicated series of workshops.
- Marketing for Beginners & Sales Tips – practical sessions on building visibility and growing your customer base.
- Scale My Biz – focused support for businesses ready to grow sustainably.
- Brentwood Start-Up Grant Scheme – Grant funding available to support new and growing ventures.
- 1-2-1 Expert Support - Work directly with an experienced adviser for tailored guidance
All sessions are free and tailored to Brentwood residents and businesses.
Councillor David Kendall, Chair of the Finance and Resources Committee at Brentwood Borough Council said: "Smart Start Brentwood is about unlocking potential and giving our residents the tools and confidence to succeed. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your business, this programme offers practical support that can make a real difference."
The Smart Start Brentwood programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and runs from November 2025 to March 2026.
Register your interest today to secure your opportunity to apply when the scheme officially opens in January 2026.
Spaces are expected to be in high demand, so visit the official programme webpage to register: https://www.backingessexbusiness.co.uk/smart-start-brentwood