Sirius Resource Centre

START-UP RESOURCE

It's essential to promote your business. If customers don't know you exist, how can you ever hope to sell to them?

But when money is tight, how can you afford a big marketing push? No need to panic. There are plenty of low cost and no-cost methods of spreading the word.

Link: http://sirius-hull.startupinfohub.co.uk/

Hull Business Support Handbook

Welcome to the latest edition of Hull City Council’s Business Support Handbook.

The Hull and Humber area is on the brink of an exciting and transformational period of economic activity and growth.

Following the Siemens announcement, over the next several years our area aims to become...

Link: Handbook Download

MARKETING RESOURCE

With an engaging mix of how-to guides, feature articles, checklists, expert Q&As, FAQs, case studies, video content and blogs, each site provides new and established businesses with free advice about how to manage a range of key tasks and issues. The sites also contain a weekly round-up of small business news.

Donut information is updated regularly and checked by a network of leading business support professionals and independent experts.

Link: http://sirius-hull.marketinginfohub.co.uk/

Newcastle named "best place to work for a small firm"

Newcastle upon Tyne, Ipswich and Peterborough are the best places to work for a small business in Britain based on commute times and wages, according to a new study.

17/06/2025

Self-employed welcome "default savings" pension plan

Only 18% of the UK's 4.4 million self-employed workers are currently saving into a pension; new research suggests that a "default savings plan" could be the way to help more freelancers save for their future.

17/06/2025

Sage’s Small Business XI Competition launches

Sage has partnered with The Hundred cricket tournament to launch a competition that celebrates small businesses.

16/06/2025

Small firms say government red tape is holding them back

A new survey has found that the administrative burden of business reporting, bureaucracy and compliance is preventing many small businesses from reaching their full potential.

10/06/2025

Consumers urged improved their digital hygiene

Cybercriminals continue to target the retail industry, with fashion brands increasingly in their crosshairs.

04/06/2025

Confidence boost: small business owners show new optimism

Two new studies suggest that UK small business owners are feeling more positive about their prospects and better prepared to face the challenges ahead.

03/06/2025

One in three small firms struggle to get funding

New research shows that many small businesses in the UK are struggling to access the finance they need and a worrying one in five have been turned down for a business bank account.

03/06/2025

Could AI help your small business to survive?

Six in ten small businesses believe AI will be vital to their growth and survival in the next five years but a lack of understanding and cost barriers are holding many firms back, according to a new report.

27/05/2025

Registration opens for UK’s foremost event for UK scale ups

The UK’s SME XPO is back for 2025, a dynamic two-day event dedicated to powering scale-up business success. Focused on scale-up leaders and founders, this year’s show promises a transformative experience for entrepreneurs and innovators

27/05/2025

"Bold action" needed to remove barriers for disabled entrepreneurs

Disabled entrepreneurs represent 25% of the UK's small businesses but despite their resilience, research shows they face significant barriers, especially when it comes to getting funding.

20/05/2025

UK business groups warmly welcome EU "reset"

The new trade deal that the UK has negotiated with the EU has been greeted with enthusiasm by leading business groups, including the Federation of Small Businesses, the British Chambers of Commerce and the CBI.

20/05/2025

The big switch: UK business owners rethink their banking

New research suggests that three in four entrepreneurs are open to switching to a new bank in a bid to get better value out of their business accounts.

12/05/2025

UK entrepreneurs rethink their business banking

Three-quarters of UK entrepreneurs rethink their business banking needs amid digital and financial shifts

07/05/2025

Two in three Gen Z workers want to start a business

Over two-thirds of Gen Z workers have entrepreneurial ambitions, according to new research, but at the same time there are a worrying number of young people that are not in employment, education or training.

06/05/2025

Acas poll finds many UK workers are worried about AI

More than half of UK businesses now use AI but employers need to do more to address the concerns of their staff says Acas.

06/05/2025

FSB calls on HMRC to cut the cost of tax compliance

Small businesses owners spend an average of £4,500 a year making sure that they comply with UK tax laws; the Federation of Small Businesses is campaigning to get that cost reduced.

29/04/2025

HMRC urges sole traders and landlords to "Act now"

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax goes live on 6 April 2026. HMRC is urging eligible taxpayers to sign up to a testing programme to get ahead of the changes

22/04/2025

Confused about MTD for Income Tax? You're not alone

A new survey suggests that there is widespread confusion about Making Tax Digital for Income Tax - despite the fact that it is due to come into effect in less than a year.

22/04/2025

Why small business owners struggle to take a break

As the long Easter weekend draws near, new research finds that most small business owners feel guilty about taking time off and one in five haven't had a week's holiday from their business in over a year.

15/04/2025

Small firms in the UK react as news of US tariffs hits home

The latest polls suggest that many UK small businesses are deeply concerned about the effects of Trump's tariffs and a significant number are refocusing on the EU as a result.

08/04/2025

Employer NIC rise: who are the winners and losers?

As the higher Employer National Insurance Contributions come into effect this month, new analysis highlights those businesses that could be better off.

08/04/2025

Commencing countdown: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

New research finds that many Brits are unaware of the upcoming changes to Making Tax Digital which will bring in quarterly accounting for many freelancers and landlords from April 2026.

01/04/2025

The International Franchise Show 2025: Find your dream franchise

Following the overwhelming success of the 2024 edition, the International Franchise Show is set to return to Excel London on the 11th and 12th of April 2025.

31/03/2025

What the Spring Statement means for you and your business

Today's Spring Statement offered very little cheer to small business owners and sole traders that are grappling with rising costs. We outline the key announcements and gauge reactions from the small business community.

26/03/2025

National Insurance rise impacts small business hiring plans

New research suggests that the impending rise in employer National Insurance Contributions in April will affect at least eight in ten small businesses and many firms say they are planning to reduce their headcount as a result.

18/03/2025

New rules means no more tax returns for some traders

The government has changed the rules regarding tax returns. Anyone earning less than £3,000 from trading will no longer have to file a return - but they still have to pay tax on profits from trading income over £1,000.

18/03/2025

Start Your Own Business podcast celebrates 200,000 downloads

The Start Your Own Business podcast, created by the team behind the Donut small business websites, is celebrating two exciting milestones. The podcast has reached 200,000 downloads in the same week that the 50th episode is released.

11/03/2025

HMRC sets its sights on Brits with side hustles

HMRC is targeting Brits that are earning extra money on the side to make sure they are paying tax on their income.

10/03/2025

Big jump in small firms looking for finance

New research shows that seven in ten SME owners are looking for finance this year to help them grow - with younger entrepreneurs leading the way.

04/03/2025

New workers' rights to change the rules for employers

UK workers are to get more job security and improved access to sick pay under new plans announced by the government. The measures have been welcomed by the British Chambers of Commerce but the Federation of Small Businesses has warned that they could be detrimental for small firms.

04/03/2025

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Why not see if Sirius can help you with funding & support?

Client Testimonials

I had a great business idea, contacts and knowledge, so why work for someone else? But the banks were unsure about my choice of location for the business and refused me the loan that I needed.

Sirius recognised the potential and gave me a start-up loan. Once I gained the backing of Sirius, the banks started to take my proposal more seriously. Without this support I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do what I am doing now.”

Interiors-thestudio.com has now been trading for ten years. The business continues to expand, setting up an e-commerce website and diversifying into the contract market, offering furniture and a complete interior design service for bars, beauty salons and offices. “Sirius believed in me when no one else would. Now I’m expanding, taking on new staff and giving young people a chance. If you put your mind to it, anything is possible”

START-UP RESOURCE

Hull Business Support Handbook

MARKETING RESOURCE

Newcastle named "best place to work for a small firm"

Self-employed welcome "default savings" pension plan

Sage’s Small Business XI Competition launches

Small firms say government red tape is holding them back

Consumers urged improved their digital hygiene

Confidence boost: small business owners show new optimism

One in three small firms struggle to get funding

Could AI help your small business to survive?

Registration opens for UK’s foremost event for UK scale ups

"Bold action" needed to remove barriers for disabled entrepreneurs

UK business groups warmly welcome EU "reset"

The big switch: UK business owners rethink their banking

UK entrepreneurs rethink their business banking

Two in three Gen Z workers want to start a business

Acas poll finds many UK workers are worried about AI

FSB calls on HMRC to cut the cost of tax compliance

HMRC urges sole traders and landlords to "Act now"

Confused about MTD for Income Tax? You're not alone

Why small business owners struggle to take a break

Small firms in the UK react as news of US tariffs hits home

Employer NIC rise: who are the winners and losers?

Commencing countdown: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

The International Franchise Show 2025: Find your dream franchise

What the Spring Statement means for you and your business

National Insurance rise impacts small business hiring plans

New rules means no more tax returns for some traders

Start Your Own Business podcast celebrates 200,000 downloads

HMRC sets its sights on Brits with side hustles

Big jump in small firms looking for finance

New workers' rights to change the rules for employers

Client Testimonials

Jason Bowers - Interiors - TheStudio.Com

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