- 1. Service Description
Role of the Economic Development and Tourism
Office:
(Economic Development,Tourism, Business Information and Signposting)
The role of the Economic Development Office is to:
- Develop, promote and action local initiatives
- Encourage partners to use all opportunities to meet their objectives and
targets in East Hampshire
- Work with partners on research, joint projects and external funding
opportunities of benefit to East Hampshire
- Develop networks, partnerships and means of communications which contribute
to the economic success of East Hampshire - develop and promote local
signposting, information and database services to enable business and investors
to benefit from a deeper knowledge about the East Hampshire economy
- Contribute to the development of District Council and partner services
which meet the needs of the business customer
- Ensure that the requirement for sustainable economic development is
reflected in the District Council's corporate activities, strategies, policies,
and practices.
- Contribute to the achievement of the Council's wider corporate and
community aims
Contact Details:
Economic Development. Telephone: 01730 234168
Mike Gibbs: e-mail: mike_gibbs@easthants.gov.uk
Tourism & Marketing. Telephone: 01730 234164
Debbie Vodden: e-mail: debbie_vodden@easthants.gov.uk
Information & Signposting. Tel: 01730 234165
e-mail: business@easthants.gov.uk
For all the above. Fax: 01730 234385
Internet: www.easthants.gov.uk
- 3. What is the role of the council in Economic and Business Development?
The District Council has a role to play in enabling the local
economy to prosper, i.e. to promote awareness of East Hampshire and its
businesses, and the benefits of investing in the District. The District Council
carries out this role through its work with the growing number of agencies and
partnerships across Hampshire and the southern region. These include the
Hampshire Economic Partnership and the Regional Development Agency (South East
England Development Agency).
The main tasks are to:
- Engage with, and influence, these agencies and partnerships to ensure that
East Hampshire's economy gains the most benefit from their services and
programmes for action
- Develop local networks and partnerships to harness local business interests
- Provide a local network infrastructure to ease the delivery of partner
services and programmes
- Improve knowledge of East Hampshire through the development and promotion
of signposting, information and communication networks, and so alert businesses
and partners to the benefits of investing in the District
- Develop the District Council's contribution as a service provider,
regulatory authority and enable it to meet the needs of the local economy, in
particular that the requirements of the local economy are taken account of in
the preparation of the Second Review of the East Hampshire District Local Plan
- Ensure that the development of a successful local economy is well related
to the overall improvement of East Hampshire. The District Council seeks to
achieve this through the introduction of an economic development dimension to
its work with the local community and partners.
This will be expressed through its development of its Community Strategy and
implementation of themed plans for action on issues such as anti-poverty,
health, transport and the Local Plan Second Review.
- 4. What is the overall vision for East Hampshires economy?
Business Pages - FAQs
Council Strategy:
The aims and objectives for the Economic Development Office at East
Hampshire District Council are set out in the Council Strategy 2005-2008.
This document can be downloaded in full by following t
his link
- 5. What are the key benefits of deciding to invest in East Hampshire?
Business Pages - FAQs
Why
Invest in East Hampshire?
Excellent Environment & Quality of Life:
At the heart of South East England, East Hampshire's internationally recognised
natural and historic heritage is home to a vibrant modern economy with a strong
tradition of innovation and an active entrepreneurial business community.
Economic Prosperity:
The economic buoyancy of the area is reflected in the density and variety of
business activity. This activity ranges from East Hampshire's agricultural base
through to advanced manufacturing, engineering, electronics, information
technology, environment, tourism and leisure, plus financial and business
services.
Communications:
First rate communications, distribution and telecommunication networks enhance
the ability for business to access regional, national and global markets.
Conveniently located in the South East of England, East Hampshire is tucked
away between London, Portsmouth, Chichester and Winchester, with good road and
rail links from across Britain and also from Portsmouth ferry port and
Southampton, Heathrow and Gatwick Airports.
Skilled People & Business Support:
East Hampshire has a highly qualified resident workforce - people with the
management, administrative, professional, scientific and technical skills to
contribute to business success.
View more information on East Hampshire
Find out more about services for business in East Hampshire
Contact
us for more information on any aspect of business or economic development
in East Hampshire
- 6. How do I find business properties in East Hampshire?
Business Pages - FAQs
Finding a Business Propery in East
Hampshire:
There over 50 business/industrial estates across the District together with
many individual units in converted redundant agricultural buildings. The towns
of Alton, Petersfield and Whitehill are the main shopping and service centres.
The Council works with commercial agents and neighbouring local authorities
to keep a register of commercial property in the District, this is the PROP SE
register.
Contact Details:
PROP SE
Regional Business Centre,
Broadmarsh Business and Innovation Centre,
Harts Farm Way,
Havant,
Hampshire
PO9 8QL
Tel: 023 92 44 9500
Fax: 023 92 44 9510
e-mail: info@harbour-forum.co.uk
Web:www.harbour-forum.co.uk
Woolmer Trading Estate
Land and Property Manager.
East Hampshire District Council
Penns Place
Petersfield
GU 31 4EX
Tel: 01730 234040
Fax: 01730 234037
e-mail: richard_jeans@easthants.gov.uk
or john_davies@easthants.gov.uk
Liss Business Centre
(South East Hampshire Enterprise Agency).
Station Road
Liss
Hampshire
GU33 7AW
Tel: 01730 892669
Fax: 01730 895232
e-mail: sehea@sehea.co.uk
Charwell House Business Centre
Charwell House
The Alton Business Centre
Wilsom Road
Alton
Hampshire
GU34 2PP
Tel: 01420 543141
Fax: 01420 543125
e-mail: cathy@charwellhouse.com
Web: www.charwellhouse.com
View information on EHDC owned or managed commercial properties
View a list of commercial
agents active in East Hampshire
- 7. How can I get help to start a business?
Business Pages - FAQs
Starting a Business:
Starting a business is probably one of the most challenging things you will
ever do. Therefore you will need to have the best advice available to help you
prepare your business plan. You can obtain very useful advice from the major
high street banks who have specialist business advisors. There are also a
number of business support agencies that you can get help from:
Contact details:
South Hampshire Enterprise Agency:
Tuesday pm - Liss Business Centre - Tel: 01730 892669
Wednesday am - Petersfield - Tel: 01730 261767
or
SHEA at Victoria House, Fareham
Tel 0845 402 8801
Fax 01329 820539
e-mail: mailto:shea@shealtd.co.uk
Web: http://www.shealtd.co.uk/
Enterprise First
11 Wellington Street.
Aldershot.
Hampshire.
GU11 1DX
Tel: 01252 319272
Fax : 01252 319384
Thursday and Friday am - Alton - Tel: 01420 87577
E-mail info@enterprisefirst.co.uk
Web: www.enterprisefirst.com
Business Link Wessex
Tel: 0845 600 9 006
Web: http://www.businesslinkhampshir
eiow.co.uk
More Information:
View more
information on business support services in the area
Check out EHDC's business services
- 8. Can I get financial assistance from the District Council?
Business Pages - FAQs
Financial Assistance:
The District Council does not provide financial assistance to business.
East Hampshire is not an assisted area entitled to support from Central
Government or the European Union. However there is support from the Government,
the European Union and other agencies for specific business development
activities, for example in the areas of research and development.
For further details contact Business Link Wessex
Web: www.businesslinkwessex.co.uk
Business Rates:
You may be entitled to exemption from business rates in particular
circumstances
See
Council Tax and Business Rates and Valuation sections in this site.
More information:
View details of business support
organisations
View information on the Council's services for businesses
- 9. How do I get help to invest in my people?
Business Pages - FAQs
Help to Invest in Your People:
Training and education services to meet the needs of Hampshire and encourage
economic growth is co-ordinated by the Local Learning and Skills Council for
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. They are able to advise on further education,
work based learning (such as modern apprenticeships) as well as standard
/ accreditation scheme schemes such as Investors in People.
Contact details:
LLSC for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
www.hampshire-iow-lsc.org.uk
- How do I find details of local companies?
Business Pages - FAQs
Local Companies:
The updated version of the East Hampshire Business Directory is now
available. The Directory contains over 2000 records of companies across the
entire District and includes a diverse range of business types.
The Directory is available in both printed and electronic format and
includes contact information including name, address, phone, fax, web address
and company size.
For more information on the directory and its formats, check out our
business direc
tory webpage.
- How do I find out if I have to comply with local regulations?
Business Pages - FAQs
Regulation:
The District Council, the County Council and other agencies are the
regulatory bodies which you need to contact to ensure that your business is
complying with current legislation.
View more information on East Hampshire District Counil's regu
latory services
Check out further details of the Trading Standards
Service (run by Hampshire County Council)
View the government trading standards
website
The District Council also produces a leaflet outlining the roles of the
Regulatory Services within the authority. To obtain a copy of this leaflet,
please contact the Economic Development Office on 01730 234165.
- How do I make network contacts with other East Hampshire businesses?
Business Pages - FAQs
Networking in East Hampshire:
There are several networks and groups across the District including events
run by the local Chambers of Commerce, Business Link Wessex and Hampshire
Ambassadors. The Economic Development Office also runs a series of seminars
for businesses throughout the year which are also very useful networking
opportunities. For more information on networking and events in the area,
check out the links below:
East Hampshire District Council's business
events
Business events across the
County
East Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and
Industry
Portsmouth and South East Hampshire
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and
Industry
Business Link Wessex
First Friday in Petersfield
Hampshire Ambassadors
- Useful Links for Business Advice
Business Pages - FAQs
Useful Links:
View a range of useful
links on our website
Check out information on busines
s support agencies operating in the District
View information on regu
lation that your business may be subject to
Take a look at the information and services that the Economic Development Office offers