Advice and support if you're thinking of starting a business
Our Economic Development Team
We have a pro-active and supportive approach to business development. We encourage ongoing business growth and investment.
The dedicated and bespoke investment support service include:
- premises search
- planning guidance
- workforce
- skills and recruitment
- local knowledge
- introductions
We also provide ongoing aftercare support and relationship development with key businesses and investors.
We work closely with other organisations to provide comprehensive and co-ordinated advice and assistance to businesses.
Business advice
If you're looking for help and advice on starting and growing a business, you can visit:
- the business and self-employed pages on GOV.UK
- New Anglia Growth Hub
- Open to Export (for small and medium sized businesses looking to export products and services)
- Innovate UK EDGE (ukri.org) - providing bespoke support to scale up innovative businesses
- MENTA - business support and training in Suffolk and Norfolk
- Visit West Norfolk - tourism industry information
Business Support Programmes and Funding
Economic profile
King's Lynn and West Norfolk is at the centre of the economic sub-region that covers a population of over 200,000. It extends into the adjoining districts in Norfolk, northern Cambridgeshire and south Lincolnshire.
The strength of the area's economy lies in the presence of world-class leaders and international brands. It's a diverse mix of sectors and balance of service and manufacturing businesses.
Resident population
The population of King's Lynn and West Norfolk in is 148,800. The working age population (aged 16 to 64) is 87,200 (2013 population estimates).
| Gender | Number | % |
|---|---|---|
| Males | 72,600 | 49% |
| Females | 76,200 | 51% |
Talent pool
The area has a workforce of 62,800 of which 46% have an NVQ level 3 or above.
Around 35% of the workforce are employed in managerial or professional occupations and 25% are in skilled and technical occupations.
With a gross weekly wage rate of £470 (90% of the national figure) this highly adaptive workforce is also competitive and productive.
Leading Sectors
| Sector | Jobs in West Norfolk | Jobs in Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 13.4 | |
| Construction | 5.6 | 4.3 |
| Wholesale and retail | 19.8 | 15.9 |
| Transport and storage | 3.9 | 4.5 |
| Accommodation and food services | 7.4 | 6.8 |
| Information and communications | 0.7 | 4.2 |
| Finance and other business activities | 13.8 | 22.2 |
| Public admin, education and health | 30.4 | 27.3 |
| Other services | 3.3 | 4.5 |
Food related industries
King's Lynn & West Norfolk has a long history as a quality arable farming area. As well as being a direct employer, the industry supports a wide range of associated industries, including:
- food processing
- engineering
- seed technology
- agri-tech
- specialist food related companies covering aspects such as precision engineering, software design and packaging
The area is the base for a wide range of industries involved in the production of food products. Some of these companies are European or World leaders in their fields, as well as being household names.
Major companies in King's Lynn & West Norfolk include:
- British Sugar
- Mars Food UK Ltd
- Pinguin Foods UK Ltd
- Tulip Ltd.
- Quorn Foods
Advanced manufacturing, leading edge technologies and engineering
The area has sector strengths in advanced engineering and manufacturing, electronics, materials sciences, and medical technologies.
There is a broad base of engineering businesses from precision engineers to military aerospace engineering. It is home to a number of companies who are working at the forefront of their fields in the following industries:
- pharmaceuticals
- chemicals
- plastics and micro-porous materials industries
- electronic technology applications for the telecommunications
- automotive
- computer
Companies in King's Lynn & West Norfolk include:
- BAE Systems
- Bespak
- Cooper Bearings Group
- Dow Chemical Co. Ltd
- Foster Refrigerator (UK) Ltd
- Maxview Ltd.
- Multitone Electronics Plc
- Rolls Royce International Ltd
- Snap-On Diagnostics
- Williams Refrigeration Ltd
The Place Pop up Shop and Business Hub
Through UK Shared Prosperity Funding the Borough Council is supporting King’s Lynn BID Ltd to provide The Place Pop up Shop & Business Hub. The Place is a fresh, flexible, multi-purpose venue that can be hired for various business endeavours, such as exhibitions, demonstrations, interactive workshops, tastings, and even general retail usage. The Place is designed to allow small/micro businesses and budding entrepreneurs the chance to try something new without navigating the costs of signing a lease.
If you have a specific request and require further information about the business opportunities and the local economy please contact us.
Grants available to west Norfolk business for employee training
Micro, small and medium sized businesses and sole traders in west Norfolk are being invited to apply for funding for training employees through a newly-launched West Norfolk Training Grants scheme.
The initiative is being run by New Anglia Growth Hub on behalf of the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk.
The scheme has been developed to help businesses upskill their employees, improve employee engagement, resilience, and productivity, and to support staff retention.
Grants from £500 up to a maximum of £3,000 per business are available, with the funding covering a maximum of 75% of the total cost of the training. There is no limit to the number of employees being trained, subject to the maximum of £3,000 per business. Employers must be able to confirm that the training they want funding for is available and can be delivered by the end of March 2025.
Cllr Alistair Beales, Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk Cabinet Member for Business, said:
"The biggest asset any business has is its staff. Ensuring they are well trained, motivated and empowered can help them to thrive, improves workplace morale and could unearth hidden talents that will help your business grow and prosper.
"I would encourage business owners and sole traders to explore training opportunities and then submit their funding applications as soon as possible to take advantage of this scheme."
To apply, simply complete the online form on the New Anglia Growth Hub website (http://www.newangliagrowthhub.co.uk/contact-us/), quoting West Norfolk Training Grants, and one of the team will be in touch to complete the application process, which can take up to 28 days. Funding is available for businesses within the administrative boundary of the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk and will be offered on a first come, first served basis.
The West Norfolk Training Grants scheme is provided by UK Shared Prosperity Funding as part of the UK Government's Levelling Up Agenda.