Business Support in Nottingham
Do you run a business based in the City of Nottingham? CGN2 is here to help you grow!
Overview
Nottingham is a dynamic core city in the East Midlands with a population of over 323,000 (2021 Census), reflecting steady growth and ongoing transformation. Famed for its cultural legacy and rebellious attitude—from Robin Hood to its UNESCO City of Literature status – Nottingham is a globally renowned hive of digital innovation and creative enterprise. With major investment in regeneration, education, and connectivity, the city is fast becoming a magnet for ambitious creatives and tech entrepreneurs.
Business demographics
As of 2023, Nottingham supports around 9,800 active businesses. The vast majority are micro-enterprises, providing fertile ground for start-ups, freelancers, and agile and innovative creative agencies. The business landscape is diverse, with strengths in professional services, construction, and retail, alongside an impressive cluster of high-growth firms in digital tech, advanced manufacturing, and life sciences.
Start-up activity is steady, with creative and digital businesses making up a growing share of new ventures. The city’s Economic Plan 2024–2034 includes targeted support for these sectors, offering funding, mentoring, and innovation spaces to help businesses scale.
active based in Nottingham
Creative and digital landscape
Nottingham’s creative and digital ecosystem is one of the strongest in the Midlands and the fastest growing in the UK outside London. With more than 2,300 registered businesses in the sector, creative hubs like Hockley and Sneinton Market are buzzing with designers, developers, digital storytellers, and content creators.
Supported through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Nottingham Business Growth Hub acts as the first point of contact for all businesses in Nottingham City, delivering impartial and professional support. Businesses can access a range of services, including: 121 business advice, mentoring, training, investment readiness and access to finance, energy efficiency and sustainability planning, events, webinars and access to a wide range of partners and programmes to help your business grow.
Cultural and Community Offer
Creativity is part of Nottingham’s DNA. The city hosts a packed calendar of festivals, exhibitions, and cultural events, from Nottingham Poetry Festival to Light Night, giving artists and digital creators a platform to connect with audiences and clients.
Public art, performance spaces, and heritage projects are supported by the City Council and partners, reinforcing Nottingham’s identity as a place where innovation and culture go hand in hand. For creative and digital professionals, it’s a city that offers not just opportunity—but inspiration.
More economic data for Nottingham: Nottingham Insights
Speak to your local adviser
Esther Chan
Business Adviser
Esther is an independent and impartial business adviser working with the Create Growth Programme on behalf of Nottingham City Council’s Business Growth Hub. Based locally, she is available to guide and support your business growth through this programme and beyond.
Sign up to the “Growing Nottingham” newsletter: Nottingham City Council
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