Our highly experienced and knowledgeable team of advisers understand how complex business can be.
There are a range of funding schemes available that businesses may be eligible for.
The Invest East Yorkshire team offers workshops, events and networking opportunities.
The Business Support Services team manages The Supply Chain Network Supplier Directory.
Search for business opportunities across the region and beyond.
A variety of useful information, articles, videos, tools, and templates on an array of subjects
Understanding the wider business support landscape.
The team offer a variety of expertise against many business disciplines and sectors.
Beck View Road, Beverley, HU17 0JT
Enterprise Way, Bridlington YO16 4SF
Baffin Way, Brough HU15 1YU
Carlisle Street, Goole, DN14 5DS
Scotchburn Garth, Skerne Road, Driffield YO25 6EF
Bridgehead Business Park, Meadow Road, Hessle, HU13 0GD
Becklands Park, York Road, Market Weighton YO43 3GL
Tom Pudding Way, Goole, DN14 6BS
The Inward Investment Team provides a free and confidential package of services tailored to individual business needs
Encouraging new and growing businesses within East Yorkshire
Humber Freeport Tax sites at Goole and Hull East offer a range of benefits
Meet the Invest East Yorkshire Inward Investment Team
Our planning team can help you identify and resolve issues prior to submission
The Invest Goole team is dedicated to supporting economic growth
A comprehensive range of employment and skills support to inward investors
Commit to considering local and regional suppliers
Take a look at some of our recent Case Studies
A Bridlington-based farm has successfully diversified its business and increased its profitability after receiving a grant of £17,200 with the support of Invest East Yorkshire’s Business Support Services team.
Stonehills Farm Pantry is part of G.L. Riby & Son, a working arable and livestock farm located in Fraisthorpe, East Riding of Yorkshire. The farm spans 1,300 acres and is home to more than 100 rare breed Shorthorn cows and around 300 sheep. In addition to traditional farming, the business has been looking for ways to increase revenue and profitability in response to rising processing costs and price pressures from major supermarkets.
As part of its diversification strategy, Stonehills Farm Pantry launched an innovative, on-farm vending machine, allowing customers to purchase fresh farm produce directly. The vending machine offers the farm’s own grass-fed Shorthorn beef and Poll Dorset lamb, alongside locally sourced products such as milk, bacon, bread, and eggs. By eliminating the wholesale middleman, the farm is able to sell directly to consumers, providing a new revenue stream while reducing operational costs.
The owners of Stonehills Farm Pantry first approached Invest East Yorkshire in February 2024 after hearing about the support available from another farm that had successfully launched a similar project. They sought assistance with funding options, business planning, and marketing strategies to bring their vision to life.
Business Advisor Chris Page worked closely with Stonehills Farm Pantry to refine their business plan, assess financial viability, and develop a marketing strategy. As a result, the farm successfully secured a grant of £17,200, significantly reducing the upfront costs associated with purchasing the vending machines.
Chris explained: “After discussing their plans in detail, we worked together to structure a strong business case for grant funding. In addition to financial assistance, we also provided marketing workshops, which gave Anna Riby, the business owner, the confidence to promote the new venture effectively on social media.”
Following the successful grant application and installation of the vending machines, Stonehills Farm Pantry began trading in October 2024. Early results show promising profitability, with direct meat sales generating 35-40% more profit compared to traditional wholesale channels. The farm is attracting regular customers from local villages as well as passing traffic from the A165 Bridlington Road.
Looking ahead, Stonehills Farm Pantry is exploring further expansion, including an online ordering service for home deliveries. Invest East Yorkshire will continue to support the business with advice and resources to help make this next phase a success.
Anna Riby, Owner of Stonehills Farm Pantry, said: “The support from Invest East Yorkshire has been invaluable. The funding allowed us to fast-track our plans, and the business workshops have given me the skills to market our products effectively. We’re excited about the future and look forward to continuing our work with the team.”
Part of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Invest East Yorkshire’s Business Support team works closely with businesses on projects that will help them to grow and evolve, as well as identifying any sources of funding that may be available to help them. If you’re looking for support or to find out if you’re eligible for grant funding, go to www.investeastyorkshire.co.uk/business-support for more information.
Shields (Driffield) Ltd. is a family-owned mechanical engineering and bulk processing company based on the Kelleythorpe Industrial Estate. Operating mainly in the engineering and manufacturing sectors, it was first established in 1984 and has grown significantly over the years. Forty years on from its launch, the company employs a team of more than 50 people and works with customers across the UK.
Shields first worked with Invest East Yorkshire’s Business Support Services Team more than ten years ago and, since then, has benefited from the advice, support and knowledge of its team of advisors on several occasions, helping to further fuel its growth and development.
Most recently, the company worked with Business Advisor Chris Moore to access a £20,000 grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This enabled Shields to achieve its goal of drastically reducing its carbon footprint by investing in a large solar panel installation project at its headquarters in Driffield.
Chris explained: “Following a review of the business and a discussion about its growth plans, we arranged for Shields to have an independent energy assessment by a specialist company that we appointed. This was fully funded and highlighted a number of energy saving measures they could take as part of their commitment to becoming more environmentally sustainable.”
Chris helped the Shields team to submit a successful application for grant funding to cover part of the cost of installing solar panels. Now in place, they will help reduce the company’s carbon footprint by 20 tonnes per year, as well as helping to reduce its overheads by providing huge energy cost savings. The solar panels will also provide other environmental benefits for Shields, such as providing green energy to power its fleet of electric cars. However, this is only the first phase of the company’s mission to reduce its CO2 emissions and overheads; it also has plans to switch plant, vans and other cars from diesel to electric.
Carey Kelly, a Director at Shields, said: “As a company, we have enjoyed a long and positive relationship with the Invest East Yorkshire Business Support Services team. As the business has grown and our plans have changed, we have worked closely with them, not just in relation to financial assistance but also for ongoing advice and guidance. We are very appreciative of this support and look forward to this relationship continuing as we grow as a business and create more skilled jobs for Driffield and the surrounding area.”
Part of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Invest East Yorkshire offers a comprehensive range of support services to local businesses, delivered by helpful and knowledgeable advisors, who offer a free diagnostic process to help businesses identify the most appropriate support and development opportunities for them. This holistic approach includes one-to-one advice, workshops, networking opportunities and access to a wealth of resources and referrals.
For more information, go to: www.investeastyorkshire.co.uk/business-support/
In today’s fast-paced digital world, creating effective video content demands more than just filming.
Join our upcoming session to explore the dynamic landscape of video marketing across platforms like YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram (reels), or TikTok.
Our FREE workshop is designed to provide you with practical insights into tailoring video content for different channels, helping you navigate what experts refer to as “channel optimisation.” We call it horses for courses! No prior experience required!
By the end of this session, you’ll have a clear understanding of the varied types of video content that work best for different channels, equipping you with the skills to reach your audience/s effectively.
But that’s not all! We’ll also guide you through creating a “group video” using the incredible power of mobile phones, opening up exciting possibilities for your business!
Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to start your video marketing!
Date11 July 2024, 12.30pm-4.30pm
LocationBrough Business Centre, Baffin Way, Brough, HU15 1YU
Event LinkVisit event website
There comes a point for some businesses where it is time to develop a clear, coherent strategy around social media. This isn’t just about which channels, but how to use them effectively. Customer service, lead generation, brand building and more could feature as you develop a strategic approach to how you use the channels you’ve got.
In this FREE session will look at the principles to apply when developing this strategy.
We will provide you with notes from the session that will set out the steps required to develop a social media strategy that can work for your business.
Who is this workshop for?
Date18 July, 12.30pm-4.30pm
LocationCraven Park Stadium, Poorhouse Lane, Hull, HU9 5HE
TikTok isn’t for everyone, because it’s extremely time consuming and can be expensive. So rather than just setting one up, why not come and explore the platform first to explore if it’s the right approach for your organisation? It might just be a couple of hours you thank us for later!
During this FREE session, we’ll demystify TikTok, delve into its unique “trends,” and help you determine whether it’s the right time for your business to embrace this powerful platform.
Don’t miss this opportunity to make an informed decision about TikTok’s potential for your business.
Date22 May 2024, 09.30am-11.30am
LocationOnline
Discover the magic of the Australian design platform that has transformed the digital landscape over the last 15 years. Canva has become an indispensable tool for millions, enabling them to craft stunning social media visuals, captivating motion graphics, and engaging videos.
In this enlightening FREE session, our experts will guide delegates through the intricacies of Canva, ensuring your creations never resemble basic Word Art again!
During the session, you’ll collaborate with our brilliant creative team to craft a design that’s not just good enough but exceptional for your social media channels. We can’t wait to see your creative journey unfold!
Who is this course for?
Note: To get the most out of this session a Canva account should be set up (preferably a paid version) and any logos you might have would be beneficial, but don’t worry if you don’t.
Register now to secure your place!
Date11 June, 09.30am-12.30pm
After the resounding success of our initial series of Social Media Workshops aimed at supporting businesses, we’re thrilled to announce a brand-new series of FREE workshops.
Invest East Yorkshire and Invest Hull Business Support Services are delighted to present an expanded range of workshops, fully funded and delivered by Electrify that cover every aspect of social media for businesses. We’ve also added some intermediate workshops for those already familiar with leveraging social media for marketing their businesses.
To find out more and book your place – click on the links below:
Don’t miss out on these opportunities to enhance your social media skills. Reserve your place today and maximise your business’s online presence!
To view all our available workshops for businesses – click here
Date16 April, 12.30pm-4.30pm
LocationDriffield Business Centre, Scotchburn Garth, Driffield, YO25 6EF
Donna Stocks, who owns The Beverley Card Company on Dyer Lane in the town, first made contact with the Invest East Yorkshire team when she took over an existing greetings card shop known as Special Days. After getting in touch with the team via its online grant funding portal, Donna was delighted to learn that she was eligible to receive a Love Your High Street grant of more than £1,900 towards the cost of carrying out work on her new shop premises.
Donna’s fledgling business was soon going from strength to strength and quickly outgrew its existing premises. Having identified larger shop premises to move into, in 2023 she contacted the Business Support Services team again and was able to access a second grant of more than £3,300. Donna used this to transform a derelict former charity shop into much larger premises, bringing the vacant shop back into use and, at the same time, further enhancing Beverley’s shopping offer.
As well as occupying new, larger premises, Donna’s growing business now employs a team of four people and won the ‘Best Greeting Card Newcomer’ Award at the 2023 Greeting Cards Retail Awards, known as the RETAS, beating off fierce competition from businesses around the country.
Donna was guided through the grant application process by Business Adviser Trevor Douglas, who visited her premises on numerous occasions.
Part of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Invest East Yorkshire’s Business Support team works closely with businesses on projects that will help them to grow and evolve, as well as identifying any sources of funding that may be available to help them, such as the Love Your High Street grant accessed by Donna. It’s a funding scheme that can support local businesses, town and parish councils or organisations and community groups with projects that will help our high streets to flourish.
Donna said: “I was very happy with the service Trevor provided through my Love Your High Street applications, and I’m impressed by the commitment of East Riding of Yorkshire Council to help high street businesses.”
If you’re looking for advice, support or want to check your eligibility for grant funding, visit www.investeastyorkshire.co.uk/business-support for more information.
Company Overview:
When Alison Leighton first made contact with Invest East Yorkshire’s Business Support Services team in 2022, she’d just established her health and wellness brand and was looking for general business advice.
Less than two years later, Alison has launched her castor oil products across three different continents and seen her turnover and profit soar. She has taken on her first full-time employee, employs several casual members of staff and has moved into premises at Brough Business Centre.
The Business Support Services team has advised and supported Alison every step of the way over the last two years, helping her with everything from understanding arrangements with her customers and suppliers, to accessing grant funding and marketing support.
Business Advisers Richard Wright and Harry Booth have helped Alison, a nutritional therapist and colonic-hydrotherapist, to turn her passion for the health benefits of castor oil into a growing global brand.
Harry said: “Richard and I have helped Alison with a wide range of things, offering general advice on everything from business structure and VAT to legislative and regulatory requirements. We’ve also helped her to access marketing support; with business planning and financial forecasting, and several successful grant funding applications; by signposting her to other support that’s available to new start-ups; and with a risk analysis of the production and manufacturing process.”
Alison said: “I have been working with Harry for over two years. He is always there at the end of the phone for advice and support. I have made some valuable connections through Harry and it has helped move my business in the right direction.”
“Harry has helped me apply for various grants, which I wouldn’t have known about. The support has been phenomenal. It can be quite scary starting your own business but knowing that there is someone to talk to and support you has made it so much easier. I cannot recommend Harry and his team enough.”
Alison first became aware of the many benefits of castor oil through her training and studies. Her castor oil and castor oil packs are designed to support the liver, immune system, fertility, hormone balancing and overall health and wellbeing. They were inspired by Alison’s desire to share the benefits of castor oil with the world.
Invest East Yorkshire’s Business Support Services team can help eligible local businesses access grants through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF). Advisers work closely with business owners to help them identify projects that will help their business grow and evolve, as well as identifying any sources of grant funding that may be available to help them.
If you are looking for support or to find out if you’re eligible for grant funding, go to www.investeastyorkshire.co.uk/business-support for more information.
