Mid Ulster business support
How to make a success of doing business in the Mid Ulster District Council area
Mid Ulster District Council is located in the heart of Northern Ireland. The area has modern infrastructure, close access to major airports, and has direct links to Belfast and the European Union, which makes it attractive for new or growing businesses.
The main urban centres in the council area are:
- Cookstown
- Dungannon
- Magherafelt
This guide is for businesses who are thinking about starting up or expanding in the Mid Ulster 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 Mid Ulster 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 Mid Ulster
Start-up support for entrepreneurs and early stage businesses in the Mid Ulster District Council area.
If you are considering starting a business, you can get free start-up support from Mid Ulster 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, Mid Ulster 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 Mid Ulster District Council.
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 Mid Ulster. Find more information on how to apply for business licences on the Mid Ulster District Council.
Business growth support in Mid Ulster
Council and local organisation support and opportunities to grow your business in the Mid Ulster District Council area
There are several organisations in Mid Ulster which offer support to help you grow your business.
Growth and support schemes for established businesses
Mid Ulster District Council runs support programmes for business growth and development. Current programmes include:
Employer Toolkit
A one-stop-shop, providing employers with tools and support for aiding with employment matters. Find out more about the Employer Toolkit.
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.
Mid Ulster Employer-Led Disability Inclusion Programme
Sing posting to workplace support programmes and grants available to support the employment of individuals with a disability or long-term health considerations - find out more about the Mid Ulster Employer-Led Disability Inclusion Programme.
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 Mid Ulster District Council:
Tender for council contracts
You can seek tender opportunities as a way to grow your business in Mid Ulster. The council offers public tenders throughout the year in a wide range of business areas.
Find out more on tendering for Mid Ulster 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 Mid Ulster, across a range of topics to help you develop your business.
You can find business event listings on the Mid Ulster District Council website.
Advantages of doing business in Mid Ulster
The business environment, infrastructure and benefits of setting up a business in the Mid Ulster District Council area
Mid Ulster District Council is an excellent location for doing business.
Local infrastructure
Mid Ulster businesses benefit from direct access to markets across the world.
The council area has high quality road links to Belfast, Derry City and the economic corridor to Dublin.
Belfast International Airport is within a short travel time from the council area.
The council area is within easy reach of the European Union - find out more about cross-border trade support with InterTradeIreland.
Local workforce and business supply chains
There are around 151,001 residents in Mid Ulster.
There are 9,540 businesses operating in Mid Ulster, which is 12% of all businesses in Northern Ireland. The majority of the base is micro and small businesses:
- 92% micro (0-9 employees)
- 7% small (10-49 employees)
- 1% medium (50-249 employees)
- 0.3% large (250+ employees)
Some major business investors in the council area include Tobermore Concrete Products, Mallaghan Engineering and UForm. Service businesses make up the largest sector in Mid Ulster:
- 39% services
- 35% agriculture
- 17% construction
- 10% manufacturing
You can download an Invest NI council briefing on Mid Ulster (PDF, 3.36MB).