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If you are considering starting a business, you can get free start-up 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

Go Succeed Start

If you have a great idea but you're not sure how to turn it into a business, or you have already started out in business and require mentorship on your next steps, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council's Go Succeed Start experts will help you to create a business plan, seek funding and put all the foundations in place to get your business up and running.

This 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ is available to anyone interested in starting a business. or call 0800 027 0639 to register for free advice and guidance from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

Start-up and early stage business 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ programmes

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council runs or part-funds business 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ programmes to help you start a business - .

My New Business

My New Business is a free online service that covers everything you need to start, plan and run a business. It has checklists, videos, tools, tutorials and case studies to help you get your business started - find out more about My New Business.

Get a business licence

You may need a licence to operate certain types of business in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon. Find more information on how to .

There are several organisations in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon which offer 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ to help your grow your business. 

Growth and 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ schemes for established businesses

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council runs 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ programmes for business growth and development. Current programmes include:

Go Succeed Grant Support

Grants of up to £3,000 are available for businesses in all council areas. Delivered through Ards and North Down Borough Council, Go Succeed grants can fund up to 50% of eligible capital costs - whether that’s investing in new equipment, boosting productivity, or improving online promotion - find out more about the Go Succeed Grant Support.

Spark It ABC

Spark It ABC is a fully funded 12-week 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ programme for women who are thinking about starting a business or are in the early stages of trading. 

The programme offers 25 places and combines practical training, expert-led workshops, peer 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ and ongoing guidance to help participants build a strong foundation for their business journey.

Find out more about the Spark It ABC.

Food Heartland

Networking opportunity for agri-food and drink producers and hospitality providers and local stakeholders who work together to brand the borough and champion local food and drink - find out more.

Get Moving ABC Workplace Scheme

A programme which helps businesses to identify workforce health needs and includes the development of a bespoke physical activity package - find out more about the Get Moving ABC Workplace Scheme.

Go Succeed - Grow and Scale

Support is available if your business is already established and is now ready to expand, but growth is slow and you're not sure how to progress. Or if your business is ready to go to the next level locally and internationally but you need guidance, 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ or resources to achieve your ambitions. Business advisors will provide tailored 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ to help your business achieve its ambitions - .

Social Enterprise Bootcamp

Bespoke mentoring and exclusive workshops to help enhance the skills of social enterprises which are actively trading with ambitions to grow - find out more about the Social Enterprise Bootcamp.

Social Enterprise Thematic Programme

Support for social enterprises to elevate their skills through one-on-one mentoring and online workshops, focusing on fundraising, digital marketing, and social impact planning - find out more about the Social Enterprise Thematic Programme.

Mid South West Region Net Zero Transformation Programme

This programme is designed to help local SMEs reduce carbon emissions and work towards their net zero goals. It includes 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ for carbon reporting software, expert workshops, and tailored decarbonisation plans to help local SMEs reduce carbon emissions and work towards their net zero goals - find out more about the Mid South West Region Net Zero Transformation Programme.

Local enterprise agencies

Enterprise Northern Ireland agencies provide business improvement programmes, financing, events, workspace and meeting space. There are three local enterprise agencies in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon:

Tender for council contracts

You can seek tender opportunities as a way to grow your business in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon. The council offers public tenders throughout the year in a wide range of business areas.

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Invest Northern Ireland 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ for business

Invest NI can help your business compete successfully and function more efficiently by providing 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ across a variety of areas.

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Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council is an excellent location for doing business.

Local infrastructure

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon businesses benefit from direct access to markets across the world.

The M1 motorway running across the council area links to Belfast and the economic corridor to Dublin. A cross-border rail link between Belfast and Dublin includes a stop at Portadown Station.

Belfast International Airport and Belfast City Airport are both within an hour's travel time from the council area. The motorway network also provides fast and reliable access to major ports at Belfast, Larne and Dublin.

The council area has direct road access into the European Union - .

Local workforce and business supply chains

There are around 218,656 residents in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon.

There are 9,390 businesses operating in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, which is 12% of all businesses in Northern Ireland. The majority of the base is micro and small businesses:

• 91% micro (0-9 employees)
• 8% small (10-49 employees)
• 1% medium (50-249 employees)
• 0.4% large (250+ employees)

Some major business investors in the council area include Almac Group, Thompson Aero Seating, EOS IT Solutions, Alternative Heat and Classic Mineral Water. Service businesses make up the largest sector in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon:

• 57% services
• 24% agriculture
• 14% construction
• 7% production

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