townsinbritain.co.uk
Partners

key partners

This page provides information and links to other  organisations that play an important role in supporting the development of  businesses in Oxford.

Small Business Service (SBS)
The Small Business Service (SBS) is an agency within the  United Kingdom's Government that champions the interests of small businesses.  Much of what SBS wishes to achieve will be delivered through a national network  of Business Links the local link for  Oxford businesses is Business Link Milton Keynes-Oxfordshire-Buckinghamshire  (see below)

Business Link Milton  Keynes-Oxfordshire-Buckinghamshire
Business Link provides a fast, simple, impartial route to business  advice, and information.

Oxfordshire  Economic Partnership
Formed in 1998,  Oxfordshire Economic Partnership is a network of public and private sector  partners who are committed to achieving greater success for the economy of  Oxfordshire.
The precise activities of the OEP  will vary over time, in order to respond to (and where possible anticipate) new  opportunities and threats which arise. In line with achieving its stated  objectives, the Oxfordshire Economic Partnership currently has four key  priorities:

  • To develop and monitor an economic strategy for  Oxfordshire
  • To provide an opportunity for businesses, economic  development agencies, academic institutions and community enterprises in  Oxfordshire to enhance their mutual understanding and to influence the economic  plans of others
  • To forge strategic alliances with other economic  partnerships in the UK, Europe and the World
  • To provide a means of developing and incubating new  ideas for strategic economic action.


Federation of Small  Businesses
The UK's largest small business  lobby group
Contact: Federation of Small  Businesses, Thames Valley branch
01296  426813

Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce and  Industry
incorporating Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce
The Thames Valley Chamber is one of the largest accredited Chambers in  the UK with 3,500 members. It is an independent business organisation working to  serve the interests of its members by offering a wide variety of representation,  information, and commercial services.
Oxford  office: Tel: 01865 792020
Thames Valley  Office: 01753 577877or
e-mail

Learning  & Skills Council
Established in April  2001, the national network of local Learning and Skills Councils will be  responsible for matching learning opportunities to local skill needs, working  with business to forecast and prepare to meet these needs. They will have the  resources and local flexibility to make a differnce with discretionary  expenditure to supprot projects that address particular local needs. Oxford is  covered by the Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Learning  & Skills Council.

The  Oxfordshire Information Technology Enterprise Network (OxIT)
A not-for-profit organisation, OxIT is a focus for software  and IT activities in Oxfordshire. It provides both on-line and face to face  opportunities for organisations and individuals to meet, discuss issues of  common interest and identify opportunities. Other benefits have been negotiated  for members; for example, low cost opportunities to attend  conferences.

Oxmedianet
Oxmedianet is a recently established forum for media industry activity in  Oxfordshire, founded to expand and enhance the opportunities for media companies  in the county, through business-to-business networking, training and information  dissemination, and by providing a conduit to local, regional and national  government.

The Oxford Trust
Founded in 1986 as a charity to promote the study, application and  development of science and technology, the Oxford Trust has been instrumental in  the economic development of Oxford and Oxfordshire. The Oxford Trust has  developed a range of initiatives through charitable and commercial activity,  such as Oxford Innovation, Oxford Investment Opportunity Network, Oxfordshire  BiotechNet and its network of successful business incubator centres throughout  the county.

Oxford Innovation
A  'spin out' of The Oxford Trust, Oxford Innovation promotes the commercial  exploitation and development of innovative science and technology in  Oxfordshire.  The company has particular strengths in knowledge-based business  sectors such as the biological and medical sciences, materials, advanced  engineering, software, IT, electronics and communications.

Oxford  Investment Opportunity Network (OION)
OION links investors with local start  up companies with high growth potential, usingpresentation meetings, database  searches and the internet. OION is keen to hear from businesses seeking  investment of between £10,000 - £5 Million, or potential  investors.

Oxfordshire BiotechNet
BiotechNet provides support for start-up and early-stage bioscience  companies in Oxfordshire, through business and technical advice, premises and  interim management support.

Thames Valley  Technology
Supports technology companies  and organisations through consultancy, business networks and action-based  learning.

University of Oxford
 

  • Business Liaison Unit- main contact point for businesses seeking support services  from teh University.
  • Isis Innovation - a wholly owned  subsidiary of the University of Oxford, founded to exploit know-how arising out  of research at one of the world's premier research  institutions.
  • Conference Oxford -  information on the availability of colleges and other university buildings for  conference use, etc


Oxford  Brookes University - Research Services and Business Development
Oxford  Brookes provides: a range of research services; promotes business development,  including through consultancy, technology transfer, commercial spin-outs and  other entrepreneurial initiatives; as well as training, continuing education and  professional development.

Oxford College of Further Education
The College's Enterprise Department provides a range of  training and consultancy services including Continuing Professional Development,  technical and vocational training and international language services. It also  manages the
Cowley Training Centre.

Oxfordshire Virtual Business Centre
Oxfordshire County Council's on-line directory of over 16,000 Oxfordshire  businesses.


Business Rates
Business rates for commercial property are calculated by multiplying two  factors: the Uniform Business Rate (UBR) set by Central Government each year and  the rateable value of the property. The rateable value is determined by the  Government's Valuation Office Agency.  Information on every property's rateable value, how to appeal, etc is available  from the VOA's web site.

In Oxford  business rates are collected by
Oxford City Council, and are passed onto the Government which redistributes the total income  according to the population of each local authority.

Certain organisations and businesses may also be eligible for
business rate relief from the City Council.

Trading Standards Direct

A  department of Oxfordshire County Council, Trading Standards Direct provides  trading advice to businesses to help them to comply with the law.
 

[Oxford City Home]