More than 70 businesses across Brentwood and Rochford have received targeted support to start, grow and develop their businesses through two programmes delivered by Let’s Do Business Group (LDBG) between September 2025 and September 2026.
Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), from Brentwood Borough and Rochford District Councils, Smart Start Brentwood and Innovate & Elevate Rochford provided local businesses and entrepreneurs with practical support designed to help them overcome challenges, identify opportunities and build the foundations for future growth.
Across both programmes, 71 businesses were supported alongside 24 entrepreneurs, resulting in 9 new jobs created and 20 businesses adopting new technologies or processes.
In Brentwood, Smart Start Brentwood supported 41 businesses and 18 entrepreneurs, contributing to five new jobs and helping 10 businesses adopt new technologies or processes.
The programme combined practical workshops, one-to-one support and financial assistance, including £10,000 in grants for growing businesses. Businesses could also access free marketing workshops delivered by LDBG’s specialist marketing agency; Let’s Do Marketing.
Workshops covered a range of topics to help businesses move forward, including starting a business, marketing for beginners, accessing funding and scaling a business.
In Rochford, Innovate & Elevate Rochford supported a further 30 businesses and six entrepreneurs, resulting in four new jobs and 10 businesses adopting new technologies or processes.
A key element of the programme was the Elevation Lab, a 4-session programme designed to give participating businesses a focused programme of support to help them identify and act on opportunities for growth.
Businesses taking part had access to one-to-one mentoring alongside practical workshops covering areas including marketing and accessing funding.
Craig Baston, Operations Director at Let’s Do Business Group, said:
“These programmes have been about giving local businesses practical support that they can actually use. Whether someone was starting out, looking to grow, considering new technology or simply needed help working out their next step, the programmes gave businesses access to advice, training, mentoring and, in Brentwood, grant funding.
“The outcomes show the difference that targeted business support can make, with businesses creating jobs, adopting new technologies and processes and developing the skills and confidence to take their businesses forward.”
The programmes demonstrate the value of accessible, locally focused business support, helping businesses turn ideas and ambitions into practical action.
While both programmes have now concluded, Let’s Do Business Group continues to provide access to marketing training, workshops, practical advice, and finance to businesses across the region.
