The East Midlands and South Yorkshire contain some of the most active independent business communities in the UK. Nottingham's hospitality and creative sectors, Sheffield's manufacturing and tech businesses, Derby's aerospace supply chain, and Leicester's retail and fashion districts all have access to business support that most owners have never used and many do not know exists.
This guide covers the main routes to support for businesses across the region: what is available, who to contact, and how to navigate the system without spending weeks in dead ends.
The two Growth Hubs that cover the region
The East Midlands and South Yorkshire are served by two separate Growth Hub networks, reflecting the different administrative geography of the region.
East Midlands Growth Hub covers Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, and Rutland. It provides free business diagnostic advice, signposting to grants and loan programmes, and referrals to specialist advisers in areas including finance, digital, HR, and export. Advisers know the current local landscape: which schemes are open, which are fully subscribed, and which are relevant to your sector and stage.
South Yorkshire Growth Hub (operating through the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority business services) covers Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, and Doncaster. Sheffield-based businesses should use this route rather than the East Midlands Growth Hub. The South Yorkshire authority has run a range of targeted business support programmes reflecting the priorities of the Combined Authority and its investment plans.
Both Growth Hubs are the starting point for any business support enquiry in the region. They are publicly funded and the advice is free. Contacting them before spending time researching specific schemes saves significant effort.
Local council business support
Every local authority in the region runs some form of business support, though the nature and availability of programmes varies considerably and changes regularly.
Nottingham City Council has a dedicated business support team and has run grant programmes for businesses within the city boundary. The Business Improvement District (BID) in Nottingham city centre also provides support and services to businesses within the BID area, funded by a levy on commercial properties.
Sheffield City Council has operated business grants targeting specific areas including the city centre, employment zones, and green economy initiatives. Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID) provides specific support for manufacturing businesses in the innovation corridor.
Derby City Council has business rates relief schemes and has previously operated grants for business premises improvement and digital adoption in key commercial areas.
Leicester City Council runs business support services including signposting to regional programmes, business rates advice, and targeted support for the fashion quarter and market-related businesses.
For county-level businesses (outside the city boundaries), Nottinghamshire County Council, Derbyshire County Council, and Leicestershire County Council each operate business support services distinct from the city councils.
The most reliable way to find current grants from your local council is to search "[your council] business grants 2026" or to contact your local council directly. Online searches for historic grant schemes frequently return outdated results.
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East Midlands Chamber of Commerce
East Midlands Chamber covers Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire. It is the largest Chamber of Commerce network in the UK by member count.
Services available to members include: advisory support from experienced business mentors, subsidised access to specialist legal and financial advice, HR and employment law guidance, international trade and export support including documentation services, skills and training programmes, and regular networking events across the region.
Several of its advisory and training programmes are available to non-members at a higher cost, or are offered free as part of funded programmes. The Chamber frequently delivers programmes funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and other regional investment streams.
Sheffield Chamber of Commerce provides equivalent services for the Sheffield city region and has a strong focus on the advanced manufacturing, creative, and professional services sectors that characterise the Sheffield economy.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund in the East Midlands
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) replaced EU structural funds after Brexit. It is government funding administered locally by councils and combined authorities to support business growth, skills development, and community projects.
Several East Midlands programmes funded through UKSPF have provided subsidised advisory support, business training, and in some cases capital grants for specific purposes. The programmes are delivered through Growth Hubs, chambers, universities, and specialist providers.
UKSPF funding cycles are multi-year but individual programmes have application windows and close when their allocation is exhausted. The best way to find active UKSPF-funded programmes in your area is through your local Growth Hub, which tracks what is currently open.
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Innovate UK in the East Midlands
Innovate UK is not specific to the East Midlands but has a strong presence through the BioMedical Catalyst (relevant to Nottingham's pharmaceutical and life sciences sector), manufacturing innovation programmes (relevant to Derby and Sheffield), and digital and creative innovation grants.
East Midlands and South Yorkshire businesses with genuine innovation projects should review Innovate UK's current opportunities. Both the East Midlands Growth Hub and Sheffield's innovation support infrastructure (including AMID and Sheffield Hallam University's business engagement team) can advise on relevant programmes and support application development.
Business rates relief
Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) is available across all East Midlands and South Yorkshire authorities. The relief reduces or eliminates business rates for properties below a rateable value threshold. The threshold and relief structure may be adjusted by the government.
Businesses occupying commercial properties should confirm they are receiving the relief they are entitled to. Relief is sometimes not applied automatically when a business moves to new premises or when a property's rateable value changes. Contact your local council's business rates team to confirm your current position.
The East Midlands has also seen relief schemes through Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) relief programmes in recent years, providing temporary rate reductions for qualifying businesses. Check your council for the current status of any such scheme.
Sector-specific support in the region
Beyond general business support, several sector-specific programmes are relevant to East Midlands and South Yorkshire businesses.
Hospitality and food. Businesses in Nottingham's Hockley and Lace Market areas, Sheffield's Kelham Island and Cultural Industries Quarter, and Leicester's Golden Mile all operate in areas with active BIDs and sector networks. Local hospitality associations and BIDs often run programmes alongside council-funded support.
Manufacturing and engineering. Derby and Sheffield both have strong support ecosystems for manufacturing businesses. The Made Smarter programme, funded to support manufacturers with digital technology adoption, is active in the region. Sheffield's AMID provides specific support for advanced manufacturing companies.
Creative industries. Nottingham and Sheffield both have active creative sector support networks. Creative England, universities, and local enterprise bodies provide advisory support, workspace, and funding programmes for creative businesses.
Retail. Independent retail support has been available through multiple routes including market improvement grants, digital adoption support, and town centre vitality programmes. Contact your local BID or high street team within your council for current programmes.
How to navigate the system efficiently
The most common mistake East Midlands business owners make is searching nationally for grant schemes without first checking what is available locally. National databases of business grants frequently include outdated entries or programmes available only in other regions.
The efficient approach is:
Contact your relevant Growth Hub (East Midlands or South Yorkshire). This takes 15 minutes and provides a current, local view of available support.
Check your local council business support page. Look specifically for current open programmes, not just general information pages.
If your business has an innovation element, review the current Innovate UK opportunity page and contact your local Growth Hub innovation adviser.
Join or engage with East Midlands Chamber or Sheffield Chamber for ongoing advisory access, networking, and subsidised specialist support.
Confirm your Small Business Rates Relief position with your local council if you have not done so recently.
Frequently asked questions
What business support is available in Nottingham in 2026?
What business support is available in Sheffield in 2026?
What is the East Midlands Growth Hub and what does it offer?
What is the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and can my business access it?
Are there grants for hospitality businesses in the East Midlands?
What does East Midlands Chamber of Commerce offer for small businesses?
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