Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon business support

If you are considering starting a business, you can get free start-up support from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

Go Succeed Start

If you have a great idea but you're not sure how to turn it into a business, or you have already started out in business and require mentorship on your next steps, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council's Go Succeed Start experts will help you to create a business plan, seek funding and put all the foundations in place to get your business up and running.

This support is available to anyone interested in starting a business. Complete a short enquiry form or call 0800 027 0639 to register for free advice and guidance from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

Start-up and early stage business support programmes

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council runs or part-funds business support programmes to help you start a business - find out more about business support available.

My New Business

My New Business is a free online service that covers everything you need to start, plan and run a business. It has checklists, videos, tools, tutorials and case studies to help you get your business started - find out more about My New Business.

Get a business licence

You may need a licence to operate certain types of business in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon. Find more information on how to apply for business licences on the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council website.

There are several organisations in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon which offer support to help your grow your business. 

Growth and support schemes for established businesses

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council runs support programmes for business growth and development. Current programmes include:

Large Capital Project Fund

The Large Capital Project Fund is to fund Capital projects only, where the project value is greater than £3,000. Capital funding can be used to either purchase new assets or support the refurbishment of existing assets - find out more about the Large Capital Project Fund.

Food Heartland

Networking opportunity for agri-food and drink producers and hospitality providers and local stakeholders who work together to brand the borough and champion local food and drink - find out more.

Get Moving ABC Workplace Scheme

A programme which helps businesses to identify workforce health needs and includes the development of a bespoke physical activity package - find out more about the Get Moving ABC Workplace Scheme.

Go Succeed - Grow and Scale

Support is available if your business is already established and is now ready to expand, but growth is slow and you're not sure how to progress. Or if your business is ready to go to the next level locally and internationally but you need guidance, support or resources to achieve your ambitions. Business advisors will provide tailored support to help your business achieve its ambitions - find out more about Go Succeed support for existing businesses.

Social Enterprise Bootcamp

Bespoke mentoring and exclusive workshops to help enhance the skills of social enterprises which are actively trading with ambitions to grow - find out more about the Social Enterprise Bootcamp.

Social Enterprise Thematic Programme

Support for social enterprises to elevate their skills through one-on-one mentoring and online workshops, focusing on fundraising, digital marketing, and social impact planning - find out more about the Social Enterprise Thematic Programme.

Local enterprise agencies

Enterprise Northern Ireland agencies provide business improvement programmes, financing, events, workspace and meeting space. There are three local enterprise agencies in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon:

• Armagh Business Centre
• Banbridge District Enterprise
• Craigavon Industrial Development Organisation 

Tender for council contracts

You can seek tender opportunities as a way to grow your business in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon. The council offers public tenders throughout the year in a wide range of business areas.

Find guidelines on tendering for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council contracts.

Invest Northern Ireland support for business

Invest NI can help your business compete successfully and function more efficiently by providing support across a variety of areas.

Find out more about Invest NI support for business.

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council is an excellent location for doing business.

Local infrastructure

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon businesses benefit from direct access to markets across the world.

The M1 motorway running across the council area links to Belfast and the economic corridor to Dublin. A cross-border rail link between Belfast and Dublin includes a stop at Portadown Station.

Belfast International Airport and Belfast City Airport are both within an hour's travel time from the council area. The motorway network also provides fast and reliable access to major ports at Belfast, Larne and Dublin.

The council area has direct road access into the European Union - find out more about cross-border trade support with InterTradeIreland.

Local workforce and business supply chains

There are around 218,656 residents in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon.

There are 9,390 businesses operating in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, which is 12% of all businesses in Northern Ireland. The majority of the base is micro and small businesses:

• 91% micro (0-9 employees)
• 8% small (10-49 employees)
• 1% medium (50-249 employees)
• 0.4% large (250+ employees)

Some major business investors in the council area include Almac Group, Thompson Aero Seating, EOS IT Solutions, Alternative Heat and Classic Mineral Water. Service businesses make up the largest sector in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon:

• 52% services
• 27% agriculture
• 14% construction
• 7% production

You can download an Invest NI council briefing on Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (PDF, 3.39MB).