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.
Advice during the COVID-19 pandemic
If you're looking for advice during the COVID-19 pandemic, including information on business loans and grants, please visit our information for businesses page.
There is also a Go Digital Grant available. It aims to help businesses with their digital offering. See our Go Digital Grant page for more details.
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)
The King's Lynn Innovation Centre (KLIC) provides:
- more than 25 offices available to rent
- one large conference room (with capacity for up to 100 people)
- three high specification meeting rooms
- reception and multi-functional areas for informal meeting and refreshment uses, including a first floor mezzanine 'break- out' area
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 and 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
If you have a specific request and require further information about the business opportunities and the local economy please contact us.