Derry City and Strabane business support
How to make a success of doing business in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area
Derry City and Strabane District Council is located in the north west of Northern Ireland. The area has modern infrastructure, a major airport and port, and has direct road access to the European Union, which makes it attractive for new or growing businesses.
The main urban centres in the council area are:
- Derry City
- Strabane
This guide is for businesses who are thinking about starting up or expanding in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area. It includes an economic profile of the area and details of business advice and support.
Free business support
Access free business support from Derry City and Strabane District Council. If you're a budding entrepreneur just starting out, are looking to grow your business, or are planning to scale up, industry experts will provide tailored support and guidance to help you achieve your business goals.
Complete a short enquiry form or call 0800 027 0639 to register for this free support service.
How to start your business in Derry City and Strabane
Start-up support for entrepreneurs in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area.
If you are considering starting a business, you can get free start-up support from Derry City and Strabane District 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, Derry City and Strabane District 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 Derry City and Strabane District Council.
Start-up and early stage business support programmes
Derry City and Strabane District Council runs or part-funds business support programmes to help you start a business - find out more about the available support.
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 Derry City and Strabane. Find more information on how to apply for business licences on the Derry City and Strabane District Council.
Business growth support in Derry City and Strabane
Council and local organisation support and opportunities to grow your business in the Derry City and Strabane area
There are several organisations in Derry City and Strabane which offer support to help you grow your business.
Growth and support schemes for established businesses
Derry City and Strabane District Council runs support programmes for business growth and development. Current programmes include:
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 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 two local enterprise agencies in Derry City and Strabane District Council:
Tender for council contracts
You can seek tender opportunities as a way to grow your business in Derry City and Strabane. The council offers public tenders throughout the year in a wide range of business areas.
Find out more on tendering for Derry City and Strabane District 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.
Business events
Many organisations run business focused events in Derry City and Strabane, across a range of topics to help you develop your business.
Advantages of doing business in Derry City and Strabane
The business environment, infrastructure and benefits of setting up a business in the Derry City and Strabane area.
Derry City and Strabane District Council is an excellent location for doing business.
Local infrastructure
Derry City and Strabane businesses benefit from direct access to markets across the world.
Derry City and Strabane benefits from a major port on the Foyle, the City of Derry Airport and direct access into the European Union.
Strong road and rail corridors link Derry City to Belfast and Dublin.
The council area directly borders the European Union - find out more about cross-border trade support with InterTradeIreland.
Local workforce and business supply chains
There are around 150,836 residents in Derry City and Strabane.
There are 5,555 businesses operating in Derry City and Strabane, which is 7% of all businesses in Northern Ireland. The majority of the base is micro and small businesses:
- 90% 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 Seagate, Alchemy Technology, FinTru, Ebrington Leisure Holdings and Terex. Service businesses make up the largest sector in Derry City and Strabane:
- 54% services
- 23% agriculture
- 17% construction
- 6% manufacturing
You can download an Invest NI council briefing on Derry City and Strabane (PDF, 3.79MB).