Business Essentials East Sussex
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Six practical workshops. Three events. One stronger business. All completely free.
Business Essentials East Sussex is a new fully funded programme designed to give sole traders, early-stage businesses and micro businesses practical support with some of the most important areas of running a business.
Running from November 2026 to February 2027, the programme brings practical, expert-led support across six essential areas:
Business Planning | Online Essentials | Marketing | Sales | Systems | Finance
What’s included?
The programme is delivered across three morning events, each with two complementary workshops, helping businesses make connections between different areas of running their business and turn what they learn into practical action.
Key programme features include:
- Half-day, in-person workshops
- Practical, jargon-free and expert-led
- Built for real businesses, not theory
- Actionable takeaways you can apply immediately
- Opportunity to connect with other local businesses
- Fully funded – FREE to attend!
Businesses can attend the event most relevant to their current needs, choose two, or take part in the full series.
Event 1 – Business Foundations and Online Essentials
- Business Planning: Step back from the day-to-day and get clearer about where your business is going. This practical workshop will help businesses look at their priorities, understand what they want to achieve and develop a clearer plan for moving forward.
- Online Essentials: Build a stronger, more effective online presence and make better use of the everyday digital tools available to your business. The workshop will help businesses understand what matters online and identify practical improvements they can make.
Event 2 – Attract Customers and Increase Sales
- Practical Marketing: Make your marketing more focused and effective. Businesses will explore how to reach the right customers, communicate their value more clearly and focus their marketing effort on activity that can make a difference.
- Sales: Turn more interest and conversations into customers. This practical workshop will help businesses develop a clearer, more confident approach to sales and identify actions they can use to improve conversion.
Event 3 – Work Smarter and Strengthen Your Finances
- Systems and Productivity: Spend less time fighting your processes and more time running your business. Explore practical ways to improve everyday systems, make better use of technology and reduce unnecessary administrative pressure.
- Financial Foundations: Feel more confident with your business finances. This workshop will help businesses better understand their numbers, strengthen their financial foundations and make more informed decisions.
Get started now
The events will begin rolling out at locations across East Sussex from November 2026. Take a look at our Eventbrite page to find a date and location that suits you.
Please note that the programme is open to businesses based and trading in East Sussex only (that excludes Brighton and Hove).
This programme is funded by the Sussex and Brighton Strategic Authority and East Sussex County Council. It is managed by East Sussex County Council and delivered by Freedom Works Ltd.