Government’s consultations on the Small Business Strategy (SBS) and Business Growth Service (BGS).

BHCC’s Economic Development Team runs the Brighton & Hove Growth Hub and Growth Hubs have been asked by DBT to lead the local engagement process for Brighton & Hove.

They are looking for business feedback on:

• The principles behind the Business Growth Service

• The wider Small Business Strategy

• How our local ecosystem could benefit most from the BGS

This is a great opportunity to make sure the voices of businesses and support organisations in Brighton & Hove are heard.

• The Government’s new Small Business Strategy is designed to boost SME productivity and growth, aligning with the Industrial Strategy and Trade Strategy as part of a broader push to drive economic success.

• The Business Growth Service is set to launch later this year, bringing together core business support services—delivered both centrally by DBT and locally through Growth Hubs, with a stronger digital offer (including a revamped BGS website).

For more details, please see the attached documents. Here and Here

How to contribute:

Please send your comments to Liz.Cadman@brighton-hove.gov.uk by 19 March.

In particular, the council would appreciate your thoughts on:

1. Barriers & priorities: What are the biggest challenges SMEs in our area face? How do these vary by size, sector, location, and ambition? What support would make the biggest impact?

2. Success stories: Are there standout business support programmes locally that have made a real difference in SME growth and productivity?

3. Gaps in support: What’s missing in national, regional, and local business support? How could the BGS help fill these gaps?

4. Collaboration: How can the new national BGS and Growth Hubs work more effectively with local stakeholders and support providers?

There are also more detailed ‘Pillar-specific’ questions in the attached ‘SBS and BGS Background and Questions’ document (pages 3 and 4) if you’d like to provide a more in-depth response.