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Scottish Borders

Business Gateway Scottish Borders was established in 2001 to help support individuals and businesses with quality, practical advice, guidance and information. By assisting new and developing businesses, we can contribute to the Scottish Borders' diverse and dynamic economy by offering the following services.

Within the Scottish Borders, there are a number of initiatives which are delivered through Business Gateway and our local partners, to provide support for new and existing businesses.

Thinking of Starting a Business?

There are many ways we can support your start-up journey.

Our Planning To Start tool is a great place to begin. It takes just 10 minutes to complete and provides you with an instant toolkit with key resources & information. We'll then connect you with a member of the team at our local office for further support.

Our website offers a business plan guide and template to download when you’re ready, market reports and research, as well as handy online guides and articles, video tutorials and podcasts. Plus, we have a great range of webinars to hone your start-up skills – from writing a business plan to marketing on a budget.

With our help, you could be in business sooner than you imagined.

Running a Business?

Our resources and one-to-one support can help you strengthen your business.

Whether you’re looking to take on premises or learn more about digital marketing, we can help you take the next step. Get started by taking 10 minutes to complete our Strengthen Your Business Tool and get a personalised dashboard of online resources and webinars.

We know that your time is in short supply, so we also offer one-to-one advice at a time and day to suit you. Together, you and your business adviser can create a strategic action plan to suit your ambitions.

Our online resources and webinars can help you learn new skills, create opportunities and gain confidence. From HR to restructuring, innovation and digital marketing - we can help. And if specialist input is required, we can connect you to other sources of support.

Digital Skills Support for Businesses in the South of Scotland

As part of the Scottish Funding Council’s (SFC) Digital Pathfinder Borders College (BC) and Dumfries and Galloway College (DGC), in collaboration with partners, have developed an innovative and interactive Digital Skills Provision Map for businesses across the South of Scotland.

The SFC’s Digital Pathfinder programme, which has been led by both of the colleges during 2023, has aimed to help the region become more competitive by facilitating the delivery of higher-level digital skills for both businesses and individuals.

Now both educational institutions, supported by a range of partners, have created a Digital Skills Provision Map which simplifies access to local digital skills support by outlining what digital skills learning, training and development is available from the main public, third sector and education providers.

The map, which will be updated annually, shows businesses where to go to source the digital education, training, and development they need and contains links to access further information.

As well as BC and DGC, 14 other partners were involved in the production of the map, including: Business Gateway Borders; Business Gateway D&G; CGI; Eco Group; SenseOn; Skills Development Scotland; South of Scotland Enterprise and Third Sector Dumfries & Galloway.

The Digital Skills Provision Map makes access to digital skills development easy and is designed to make the future simpler for businesses across the region.

A copy of the map can be downloaded here.

Improve your Digital Skills

Access webinars, online guides and a Digital Health Check.

From digital marketing strategy to social media, e-Commerce, cyber security and more, we can help boost your digital performance.

Our Digital Health Check is a great place to start. It will help pinpoint your digital strengths, areas you could improve, and how we can help, and it only takes 5 minutes to complete.

Intermediaries

At Business Gateway, we work closely with a number of key bodies and organisations to ensure that we provide you with the right information and support to grow and develop your business.

The Women's Business Centre

The Women's Business Centre is a website designed to support women at the pre-start and start-up through to growth stages of their business journey.

Operated by Women’s Enterprise Scotland, the Women's Business Centre website is free to access and offers dedicated, needs-based content on starting and growing a business, including stories, encouragement and top tips from leading business owners across Scotland.

Supplier Development Programme (SDP)

The Supplier Development Programme provides support through a range of free tender training, e-learning modules and Meet the Buyer events to help Scottish SMEs, social enterprises and third sector organisations in bidding for public sector opportunities.

Redundancy Support

Your local Business Gateway office can offer free support to any business considering making redundancies.

Our advisers can help you look at your business challenges and then help you make the next practical steps. Along with that we can introduce you to PACE – Partnership Action for Continuing Employment.

Other Business Support across Scotland

Information on the free advice and support available from Scotland’s public sector business support organisations is available to find, all in one place, at Find Business Support.

Find your nearest office

Business Gateway Borders

Ettrick Riverside
Dunsdale Road
Selkirk
TD7 5EB
Get directions
01750 535856

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday

09:00 to 17:00

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