Business Gateway Renfrewshire 202526 Overview
Renfrewshire Council · 25 August 2026
Back to Economy and Regeneration Policy Board — 25 August 2026 and its agenda
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PUBLIC To: Economy and Regeneration Policy Board On: 25August 2026 Report by: Chief Executive Heading: Business Gateway Renfrewshire 2025/26 Overview 1. Summary 1.1 This report provides an update on the performance and activities of Renfrewshire Council’s Business Gateway Service during 2025/26, and its contribution to supporting entrepreneurship, business growth and inclusive economic development across Renfrewshire. 1.2 The service continued to contribute to Renfrewshire Council's ambitions for economic growth and community wealth building by supporting residents and businesses to start, sustain and grow their enterprises. 1.3 Overall performance demonstrates strong demand for business support services and a healthy pipeline of entrepreneurial activity across Renfrewshire. 2. Recommendations 2.1 Board members are asked to: (i) Note the content of the report on Business Gateway Renfrewshire’s performance in 2025/26. 3. Background 3.1 Business Gateway is Scotland's national business support service, funded by the Scottish Government and delivered locally by Renfrewshire Council as part of the Council's Economic Development Service. The service provides free and impartial advice, information and support to individuals considering self- employment, business start-up and existing businesses seeking to develop and grow.
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PUBLIC 3.2 As part of Renfrewshire Council's wider economic development offer, Business Gateway plays an important role in supporting entrepreneurship, business sustainability and business growth. The service contributes directly to the Council's ambitions to grow the local economy, create employment opportunities and support community wealth building through increased levels of business ownership and economic participation. 3.3 Core services delivered through Business Gateway include: • One-to-One Business Advice – Tailored advice and practical support provided by business advisers to individuals considering self- employment, start-up businesses and existing companies. • Business Enquiry Service – Advice, guidance and signposting support delivered through telephone, online and face-to-face channels. • Workshops and Webinars – Delivery of a programme of workshops and online learning covering topics including business planning, marketing, finance, digital development and business growth. • Digital Resources – Access to online guidance, self-help tools and specialist resources through the national Business Gateway website. • Referral and Specialist Support – Access to sector specialists providing support in areas including innovation, exporting, funding, net zero and workforce development. • 4. 2025/26 Business Gateway Renfrewshire Performance 4.1 The Business Gateway Service delivered a strong level of activity throughout 2025/26. Key achievements include: • 388 Planning to Start completions • 328 business started • 494 startup employees forecasted • 51 Strengthen Your Business Completions • 26 businesses entering Local Priority and Business Growth categories • 259 jobs supported through businesses entering Local Priority and Business Growth categories 4.2 “Planning to Start” completions represent individuals actively progressing towards self-employment and business ownership. The volume achieved during the year demonstrates continued demand for enterprise support and reflects the important role that Business Gateway plays in helping residents transition into business ownership
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PUBLIC 4.3 The service delivered 51 “Strengthen Your Business“ completions, highlighting the continued engagement with existing businesses seeking to address challenges, identify growth opportunities and access wider support networks 4.4 The combination of start-up and growth support activity demonstrates that the service is supporting businesses at every stage of development and contributing to a stronger local business base. 4.5 The number of Business Gateway Start-Ups per 10,000 population is a key indicator of economic growth and is measured as part of the Local Government Benchmarking Framework. Renfrewshire is ranked 10th out of 32 for the 2025- 26 figures with 17.3 business start ups (per 10,000 population) against the Scottish average of 13.1. 5. Enquiries Received 5.1 Business enquiries represent the front door to the Business Gateway service and are often the first point of contact for new start-ups and growing businesses. 5.2 During 2025/26: • 260 local enquiries received • 93 enquiries passed from ERFS (Enquiry Fulfilment Research Service) • 601 website enquiries • 491,731 website users (the total number of people who have visited the Business Gateway site) • 977 local support page users (total number of people who have visited Business Gateway Renfrewshire landing page) 5.3 The volume of website users demonstrates the extensive reach of the Business Gateway service and illustrates the importance of digital channels in connecting businesses and entrepreneurs with support and information. 6. Inclusive Growth Performance 6.1 Supporting inclusive economic growth remains a key priority and is a central component of Business Gateway Renfrewshire’s service delivery. During 2025/26: • 51% of businesses started were female led • 33% of businesses were started by entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds • 23% of startups were led by a young person • 8% of businesses started were led by someone from a minority ethnic background
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PUBLIC • 7% of entrepreneurs have a disability 6.2 These outcomes demonstrate the service's success in engaging with entrepreneurs from all backgrounds and demonstrate the service's contribution to tackling economic inequality and supporting residents who may otherwise experience barriers to entrepreneurship and enterprise development. 7. Conclusion 7.1 The 2025/26 Business Gateway Renfrewshire performance demonstrates that the service continues to deliver significant economic and social value for Renfrewshire. 7.2 The service has maintained strong levels of entrepreneurial activity, supported local businesses and delivered positive outcomes for under-represented groups. 7.3 Particularly noteworthy is the strong participation from female-led enterprises (51%), disadvantaged entrepreneurs (33%) and young entrepreneurs (23%), demonstrating the service's contribution to inclusive growth and ensuring that opportunities for business ownership and economic participation are available to all communities across Renfrewshire. These participation rates compare favourably with the national Business Gateway figures, where female-led start- ups account for (50%) of clients, disadvantaged entrepreneurs (18%), and young entrepreneurs (13%), highlighting the service's particularly strong reach among under-represented groups. 7.4 Collectively, these outcomes support Renfrewshire Council's ambitions for economic development, community wealth building and a fairer, more inclusive local economy. 7.5 The Business Gateway Renfrewshire performance stats are included in Appendix 1 of this report. Implications of the Report 1. Financial - No additional finance sought. 2. HR & Organisational Development - None 3. Community/Council Planning • Jobs and the Economy – progresses the business development and growth agenda. 4. Legal - None 5. Property/Assets - None 6. Information Technology – None
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PUBLIC 7. Equality & Human Rights- The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. 8. Health & Safety - None. 9. Procurement - None. 10. Risk - None. 11. Privacy Impact - None. 12. Childrens Rights - None 13. Cosla Policy Position - Not Applicable. 14. Climate Risk - Not Applicable. ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Colette Saez, Assistant Economic Development Manager Email: colette.saez@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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PUBLIC Appendix 1
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PUBLIC