Business Advice and Support
SPF grants less than £100k - Business Grants
Capital and Revenue business funding is available to businesses within Pembrokeshire under four categories, Business Growth Grant, Business Start Up Grant, Youth Enterprise Grant, and the Carbon Reduction Grant.
Each grant will be a contribution to your proposed overall scheme with the applicant having to source a minimum 50% as match funding from elsewhere.
The Business Grant application process is administered by the Business Development team within the Local Authority Economic Development department.
Click on the relevant links to view a description and eligibly for each grant and see how to apply
Business Growth Grant [£1000-£50,000]
Business Start-Up Grant [£500-£10,000]
Importing & Exporting Goods: Border Operating Model
On 1 January 2021 the transition period with the European Union will end, and the United Kingdom will operate a full, external border as a sovereign nation. This means that controls will be placed on the movement of goods between Great Britain and the EU.
To afford industry extra time to make necessary arrangements, the UK Government has taken the decision to introduce the new border controls in three stages up until 1 July 2021.
The UK Government have published a guide (opens in a new tab) to how the border with the European Union will work after the transition period.
Kickstart scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds. To support businesses and organisations in Pembrokeshire to access the Kickstart scheme, Pembrokeshire County Council will become a representative for the scheme. As a representative we will partner with you to create the minimum requirement of 30 job opportunities for each application to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Pembrokeshire County Council, as a representative for the Kickstart scheme, will:
- support you to create job opportunities for young people that meet the Kickstart scheme requirements
- check your job opportunity is eligible for the scheme and submit an application to DWP
- work with you to help you provide the information required by DWP to successfully claim payments from the scheme
- claim the scheme funding from DWP and pass it on to you as the employer for the Kickstart job opportunity.
Additionally, Pembrokeshire County Council can offer services to help you to meet the jobsearch and training support requirements of the scheme.
If you are creating opportunities for a young person with a disability or health condition we can signpost you to advice on how the Access to Work scheme can support you as well.
What is the Kickstart scheme?
With the Kickstart scheme, you can create six-month job placements for young people aged 16-24 years who are on Universal Credit and are at risk of long-term unemployment.
The job placements you create should encourage workers to develop skills and experience that will be useful to them in the jobs they undertake after the job placement.
How does the Kickstart scheme work?
Funding will cover 100 per cent of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week along with associated National Insurance contributions and the employer’s minimum automatic enrolment contributions. You will need to provide evidence of this expenditure to reclaim from the scheme.
A sum of £1,500 per job is also available for set-up costs, support and training (there will be 7 staged payments, £1500 upon confirmation of start of the job, reimbursement of salary/associated costs monthly in arrears.
You’ll get the funding if your application is successful
Though the scheme itself isn’t an apprenticeship, young people can move onto an apprenticeship (opens in a new tab) at any time during or after their placement.
Am I eligible?
Any business or organisation can apply for the funding, no matter the size, as long as the jobs that are being created are new.
They can’t replace existing or planned vacancies, nor can they cause existing employees or contractors to lose or reduce their employment.
The roles that you create must be:
- a minimum of 25 hours per week, for six months
- paid at least the National Minimum Wage for their age group, since 1 April 2020 the rate is:
- 21 - 24 year old rate: £8.20
- 18 - 20 year old rate: £6.45
- 16 - 17 year old rate: £4.55
National Minimum Wage 2020 (opens in a new tab)
- should not require people to undertake extensive training before they begin the job placement
- what’s more, each application should outline just how the placement will develop the young person’s skills and experience, including:
- support to look for long-term work, including career advice and setting goals
- support with CV and interview preparations
- support for the young person with basic skills, such as attendance, timekeeping and teamwork
- once the placement has been created, it can be taken by someone else once the first applicant has completed their first six-month term.
How to apply
If you want to provide an opportunity through the Pembrokeshire County Council Kickstart representative scheme, you can register your interest online: PCC Kickstart (opens in a new tab)
If you need help with the process please let us know by contacting us through employability@pembrokeshire.gov.uk and one of our Business Liaison Officers will be in touch to provide support.
When you have submitted your interest for the scheme we will contact you to confirm the next steps.
What you need to provide for the expression of interest
You will need:
- Companies House reference number or Charity Commission number (if applicable)
- your organisation address and contact details
- details of the job placements and their location
- supporting information to show that the job placements are new jobs and meet the Kickstart Scheme criteria (opens in a new tab)
- information about the support the organisation can give to develop employability skills of young people
If you need support to understand or meet the requirements of the scheme please contact our Business Liaison Officers by emailing employability@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Using the Welsh Language in Your Business
The Cynnig Cymraeg (opens in a new tab) (Welsh Offer) is a new scheme by the Welsh Language Commissioner. It recognises companies and charities working bilingually. By working with the Commissioner's Hybu Team to create a Welsh Language Development Plan, your business may be eligible to apply for recognition for your Cynnig Cymraeg. The purpose of the Cynnig Cymraeg is to make it clear to the public what services you can offer in Welsh. It is an opportunity for you to show clients that they take pride in the Welsh language and are ready to use it. The Cynnig Cymraeg helps you to promote and increase the use of Welsh language services available.
How does it work?
- The first step is to contact the Hybu Team for a conversation and to complete a self-assessment about your current use of the Welsh language.
- We will then work with you to put together a Welsh Language Development Plan; set targets if your provision needs to be increased, and ensure that everyone in the company is aware of what you offer.
- Once your Plan is ready, we will work with you to identify your Cynnig Cymraeg: what are the headlines of your Welsh language services?
- Submit to the Commissioner for official approval
- Celebrate and promote your Cynnig Cymraeg
One company that has received the Cynnig Cymraeg is Planed. Abi Marriott said, "The Cynnig Cymraeg has already had a positive impact on our work and on the professional development of team members. It is very beneficial to have a structured plan and achievable targets to aim for.”
Contact the Hybu Team for to discuss further: hybu@cyg-wlc.cymru
Pembrokeshire preparing for Brexit
Pembrokeshire County Council is working with the Welsh Government, the Welsh Local Government Association and other organisations to prepare for the ending of the UK’s membership of the European Union.
Our aim is to minimise any potential for Brexit to negatively affect Council services, and the county’s businesses and residents.
Among the things we are doing are:
We have assigned an officer who will co-ordinate the Council’s response to Brexit;
- We have identified Brexit as a key corporate risk, and we are working to understand as best we can its consequences for the Council and for Pembrokeshire;
- We are monitoring national events to understand likely Brexit scenarios, and using this information to develop and update a Corporate Brexit Strategy and other key strategic documents such as the Medium Term Financial Plan;
- We are working with all our services to understand the consequences of Brexit and to put in place contingency measures;
- We are working as a partner in the Dyfed Powys Local Resilience Forum to prepare multi-agency solutions to the challenges Brexit could pose;
- We are engaging with national Brexit planning groups, for instance on health and social care.
Things that we plan to do are:
- Disseminate accurate and reliable information on Brexit to businesses, communities and people in Pembrokeshire, or signpost where information can be found;
- Provide information and support to our employees who are from other EU member states and who may need to make use of the EU Settlement Scheme;
- Ensure all the Council’s EU funded projects are completed and closed in compliance with all applicable regulations;
- Consider how to assist parts of Pembrokeshire’s economy, society or environment that may be disproportionately affected by Brexit;
- Work with other interested parties to ensure that replacement regional funds are made available and that the programmes to deliver them are suited to Pembrokeshire’s needs and opportunities.
Contact us
Useful links
Note: Pembrokeshire County Council takes no responsibility for the content of external websites.
Welsh Government – Brexit “One Stop Shop” (opens in a new tab)
UK Government (opens in a new tab)
Other South West Wales Organisations
Carmarthenshire County Council (opens in a new tab)
Ceredigion County Council (opens in a new tab)
Hywel Dda University Health Board (opens in a new tab)
EU Settled Status
Non-governmental links (see Welsh Government above for governmental links)
Citizens Advice (opens in a new tab)
The 3 Million (opens in a new tab)
Trading Concession Opportunities
Overview
Pembrokeshire is an area of outstanding beauty that includes award winning beaches, castles, ancient sites and coastal national park. This stunning backdrop offers exciting opportunities for entrepreneurs and local businesses to develop trading opportunities.
We offer a number of trading concession opportunities located across the County and welcome applications for these. We also welcome expressions of interest in developing new concession opportunities.
Concessions offered
Trading concessions are a type of contract between contracting authorities/entities and suppliers.
Examples of current trading concessions are:
- an ice-cream concession at a beach site: selling ice-creams from a van/unit
- a cafe concession: a café being run from a Council building such as a library or leisure centre
Where are concession opportunities advertised?
Concession opportunities are advertised on Sell2Wales (opens in a new tab)
This website was set up by the Welsh Government and aims to help businesses find contracts that are offered by the public sector across Wales.
A 'search for contracts' page provides a simple way for your business to find opportunities to provide goods, works or services to the public sector. You can search using key words, by location, or by notices (current opportunities, future opportunities or contract results). You could search, for example, using just the key word 'Concession'. Alternatively, you could search by the key word 'Concession' and select the location you wish to search in such as 'South West Wales' to see what types of concession opportunities there are in that location.
If you are interested in a particular concession contract that is advertised, you will then need to submit the information requested by the deadline.
When are concession opportunities advertised?
This will depend on the type of concession opportunity. Some concession contracts are seasonal and run during the busier periods of the year, some annual and some may be awarded for a number of years. Typically, contracts are advertised at least a month before they are due to commence. There is a facility on Sell2Wales (opens in a new tab) to be notified of new tendering opportunities that match the business categories that you are interested in.
Do you have a trading concession idea?
If you would like to express your interest in pursuing a new trading concession at a particular site within Pembrokeshire you will need to complete the Expression of Interest Form
Key contacts
For further information or for an informal chat with one of our officers please call 01437 764551 and ask to speak to an officer about trading concession opportunities or email procurement@pembrokeshire.gov.uk providing details of what you would like to discuss along with your contact details.
Food Business Advice
The following links provide basic advice on food safety and standards compliance and should be used as a starting point for your business.
Food Standards Agency Guidance for Food Businesses (opens in a new tab)
Food Standards Agency (opens in a new tab)
Food safety management systems
Social Enterprise and Third Sector
Help for Social Businesses, Charities and Community Groups
Community Ownership Fund (opens in a new tab)
The community ownership fund has now opened.
The Fund will provide financial support to communities across the UK to take ownership of assets, amenities and facilities at risk of being lost but have value for the local people and place.
Communities will be able to bid for up to £250k matched-funding to help them buy, take over or renovate physical community assets at risk, to be run as community-owned businesses.
Sport Resilience Fund (opens in a new tab)
This fund will be used to support sports clubs and partner networks which play a role in ensuring the nation is able to remain active and enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits that sport brings.
The fund will be led by Sport Wales.
WCVA Fast Track Loans (opens in a new tab)
Loans will be tailored to each applicant’s individual needs in terms of amount, term and repayment profile. They start with a blank piece of paper – what do you need? What best suits you in terms or repayments? The application process is minimal and the majority of organisations being approved will see money in their bank accounts within 7 days of submitting a completed application (subject to prompt signature of documentation).
Tampon Tax (opens in a new tab)
The £15 million fund is intended for charitable, benevolent and philanthropic organisations across the UK with projects directly benefit disadvantaged women and girls, tackle violence and support their mental health and wellbeing.
Funding for Domestic Abuse national services (opens in a new tab)
The Home Office has now published the guidance for a £2 million fund for domestic abuse services. The fund will be aimed at:
- Organisations which provide a national service (i.e. covering all of England and/or Wales).
- Organisations where the supported victims are very geographically dispersed over multiple Police and Crime Commissioner areas, and/or no one Police and Crime Commissioner area is the clear base for the majority of victims.
- Umbrella or second tier organisations.
- Organisations which do capacity building, or which support other organisations to support victims and survivors. This includes those supporting the police in their response to domestic abuse. It also includes those supporting local authorities or other statutory bodies.
Domestic Abuse local services (opens in a new tab)
The Ministry of Justice have also launched a further part of the domestic abuse funding, involving:
- £10 million for domestic abuse services which are already commissioned by Police and Crime Commissioners; and
- £5 million for domestic abuse services which are not currently commissioned by Police and Crime Commissioners
Sexual Abuse local services (opens in a new tab)
The Ministry of Justice has also now launched:
- £5 million of funding for sexual violence services, covering organisations already commissioned by Police and Crime Commissioners and those which are not currently commissioned by Police and Crime Commissioners; and
- A separate £5 million fund for organisations which are already funded through the national Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund (RSF).
Places of Worship Security Funding Scheme (opens in a new tab)
The Home Office Places of Worship Protective Security Funding Scheme is now open to places of worship and associated faith community centres across England and Wales.
Screwfix Foundation (opens in a new tab)
The Screwfix Foundation is now open for applications from registered charities and not-for-profit organisations across the UK. To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be helping those in need by reason of financial hardship, sickness, distress or other disadvantages in the UK.
- Be looking for funding to support projects that relate to the repair, maintenance, improvement or construction of homes, community buildings and other buildings.
Grants of up to £5,000 are available for projects that relate to the repair, maintenance, improvement or construction of homes, community buildings and other buildings in deprived areas or for those in need. This can include repairing run-down buildings and decorating the homes of people living with illness and disability. Projects should be environmentally friendly.
Sustainable Management Scheme - Supporting Natura 2000 Restoration (opens in a new tab)
The Sustainable Management Scheme - Supporting Natura 2000 Restoration aims to support landscape-scale capital investment, delivering action to improve the condition of Natura 2000 sites around Wales by March 2021. Natura 2000 is a network of core breeding and resting sites for rare and threatened species, and some rare natural habitat types which are protected in their own right. The scheme has been set up in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which the Welsh Government says has brought a spotlight on the value of nature and the importance of access to the natural environment to health and wellbeing.
The minimum grant will be £10,000 and the maximum will be £4 million. The Welsh Government expects the majority of bids to be in the range of £50,000 - £500,000, however, this does not preclude applications for smaller projects with a minimum value of £10,000 or large collaborative multiple projects in excess of £500,000.
Advice and support for your business
Pembrokeshire is home to many small and medium sized enterprises. As a county we have a diverse range of businesses ranging from our traditional sectors of tourism and agriculture to energy and engineering businesses plus creative, media and manufacturing businesses.
The Council's business support team works to provide a high standard of advice and support to businesses, individuals and other organisations.
It aims to foster a successful enterprising and entrepreneurial culture within the Pembrokeshire economy.
Targeted support is provided for specific business sectors to assist the development of viable projects and the creation of employment.
Email BusinessSupport@pembrokeshire.gov.uk for more information.
Business Drop-in Events
Pembrokeshire County Council in conjunction with the Haven Waterway Enterprise Zone Board's Business Interaction Group, Business Wales and a range of business support professionals are pleased to announce the return of the monthly business drop in events on at the Bridge Innovation Centre, Pembroke Dock between 9am -12pm on the following dates to answer all your questions and queries:
No appointment needed, just drop in!
Invited organisations include:
- Business Wales
- Welsh Government Innovation Team
- Pembrokeshire County Council
- Business in Focus
- Landsker Business Solutions
- CEMET
- Pembrokeshire Lottery
- Superfast Wales
- CWMPAS
- Futureworks
- Workways
- Development Bank of Wales
- FSB
- Job Centre Wales
- Visit Pembrokeshire
Attending organisations vary from month to month. If you are looking to meet with a specific support organisation please email in advance and to confirm their attendance: BusinessSupport@Pembrokeshire.gov.uk
General advice
Business Wales Home (opens in a new tab)
Start Up advice
Business Wales StartUp (opens in a new tab)
HMRC Starting your own business - e-learning package (advice on tax and National Insurance Issues)
HMRC ELearning StartUp (opens in a new tab)
Food Development
The Food Development Team provides support for the agri-food sector and can provide advice on marketing opportunities and the supply chain for retail, direct sale and hospitality businesses.
Working with industry partners, the team is a resource for both the public and the trade on local food and drink. Activities include:
- Organising Pembrokeshire Fish Week
- Organising business to business and consumer events
- Organising the annual Grow It, Cook It, Eat It event with local schools
- Supporting local food festivals
- Producing a biennial food and drink trade directory
- Producing an annual tourism food guide (online and hard copy)
- Managing the Pembrokeshire Produce Mark identity scheme
- Managing the Haverfordwest Farmers' Market
Innovation
Bridge Innovation Centre (opens in a new tab)
SPF grants less than £100k - Business Grants
Capital and Revenue business funding is available to businesses within Pembrokeshire under four categories, Business Growth Grant, Business Start Up Grant, Youth Enterprise Grant, and the Carbon Reduction Grant.
Each grant will be a contribution to your proposed overall scheme with the applicant having to source a minimum 50% as match funding from elsewhere.
The Business Grant application process is administered by the Business Development team within the Local Authority Economic Development department.
Click on the relevant links to view a description and eligibly for each grant and see how to apply
Business Growth Grant [£500-£50,000]
Business Start-Up Grant [£500-£10,000]
Youth Enterprise Grant £250-£1,000]
Carbon Reduction Grant [£1000-£25,000]
Pembrokeshire in Business
Pembrokeshire is home to many small and medium sized enterprises. As a county we have a diverse range of businesses ranging from our traditional sectors of tourism and agriculture to energy and engineering plus creative, media and manufacturing businesses.
The Council's business support team works to provide a high standard of advice and support to businesses, individuals and other organisations.
It aims to foster a successful enterprising and entrepreneurial culture within the Pembrokeshire economy.
Marine Energy Wales (opens in a new tab)
Marine Energy Pembrokeshire has been set up to provide information and promote Pembrokeshire as a Hub for Marine Renewables. This website will become a "one stop shop" for developers, investors and the public wanting to know more about the projects, the resource, consenting, funding, research and infrastructure.
Swansea Bay City Region (opens in a new tab)
The Swansea Bay City Region encompasses the four local authority areas of Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.
Haven Waterway Enterprise Zone (opens in a new tab)
Enterprise Zones are geographical areas that support new and expanding businesses by providing a first class business infrastructure and compelling incentives.
Financial support for your business
Finding financial support to start and grow your business is always a challenge. There are many different types of finance to suit your business and your project. It may well be that a combinations of options are better than any single source.
There are few questions you will need to consider before you are able to consider which is the right source of finance for your business. How much you need, for what purpose and over what period, as well as the security you have to offer and the experience of the business and management will play a part in who is willing to invest in you.
Before you consider approaching funders it is a good idea to review and update your business plan.
In Pembrokeshire, we have worked together with a number of organisations to provide financial assistance options.
General Advice
Business Wales Home (opens in a new tab)
Pembrokeshire Lottery
Pembrokeshire Lottery (opens in a new tab)
Flexible business finance from £1,000 up to £5,000,000 is available from the Development Bank of Wales,
Recruitment and employment
People are the key element of every business. Finding the right people to work in your business, training them and then retaining them to develop their potential will drive success for your organisation.
Pembrokeshire County Council can help you write the job specification, advertise the role and then shortlist candidates. Once you have a successful candidate we can help gather references and do background checks to ensure they meet your standards. We can support your new employee with pre-employment training and get you off on the right foot with employment contracts and inductions for new employees.
A number of special initiatives are available to support those who have been made redundant and those who are under 25 years old.
Advice on recruitment and retention of staff
Workways plus (opens in a new tab)
workwaysplus@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
01437 776609
Business Wales (opens in a new tab)
General advice on recruitment
Recruitment Advice (opens in a new tab)
futureworks@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
01437 776437
Jobseekers (opens in a new tab)
Redundancy - ReAct: support for employing someone who has been made redundant (opens in a new tab)
Jobs Growth Wales - support for employing someone 16-24 years old (opens in a new tab)
Training and development for Business
The success of your businesses relies on the development of your team. Whether it be customers service skills or welding, you will always have an eye for the future of your business and the skills you need to deliver.
By investing in training and development your workforce will become more flexible. They will become more productive and by offering people the chance to gain new skills, your staff retention will improve too.
Pembrokeshire County Council is committed to support skills development and works with other partners to deliver a number of projects to support for specific sectors and skills.
Contact the business support team at 01437 776167 for further information.
Business Wales (opens in a new tab)
WorkWays (opens in a new tab) workwaysplus@pembrokeshire.gov.uk 01437 776609
Licensing Advice
The Licensing Team issues licences, registrations and permits for a wide range of activities with the aim of ensuring the safety of the public.
Once a licence has been issued, we carry out inspection visits to licensed premises and checks on licensed vehicles. We work closely with dyfed-powys (opens in a new tab) and the mawwfire (opens in a new tab) to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of licences as well as any other relevant legislation. We also have monitoring systems in place to detect and prevent unlicensed activities.
As well as this enforcement regime, we also take part in education and information initiatives for licensees and their staff aimed at improving their awareness of public safety issues.
For information and application forms with respect to specific licences and permits, please select the appropriate link.
For further information/advice on any of the above please contact:
Licensing 01437 764551
All application forms/ Correspondence should be addressed to:
Public Protection Division
Pembrokeshire County Council
County Hall
Haverfordwest
Pembrokeshire
SA61 1TP
Planning Advice
The environment around us requires careful management to ensure that development is sustainable. The Council has responsibilities for preparing the development plan, development control, building control, enforcement, public rights of way, common land and biodiversity.
In this section you'll find further details of these planning services, together with frequently asked questions, downloadable planning guidance, and regularly updated lists of applications received and decisions made.
You can search and track the progress of a planning application (opens in a new tab)
Comment or object to a planning application (opens in a new tab)
Please note that the Council is the local planning authority for all areas of Pembrokeshire outside of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Planning enquiries relating to land within the National Park should be directed to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.
Pembrokeshire County Council works in partnership with the Planning Portal to provide services and information about the planning service.
Planning Portal and Pembrokeshire-specific direct links to named services (opens in a new tab)
Tourism Advice
Our Tourism Services department can provide information on a wide range of topics including Advice for Tourism Businesses; Who’s Who in tourism; Pembrokeshire Tourism Strategy; research papers; statistics; occupancy surveys and tourism business surveys.