Small businesses across Hull and East Yorkshire will continue to receive dedicated support to grow, invest and create jobs, following a decision by Mayor Luke Campbell MBE.
Mayor Luke Campbell MBE has extended the current Local Growth Fund business support programme for a further six months. The decision will provide continuity for businesses across the region and build on a strong first three months of delivery, which has already seen demand for support exceed a number of the programme's six-month targets.
Between April and June 2026, 488 established businesses engaged with the programme and a further 155 potential entrepreneurs approached the service for support. That means 643 enquiries from businesses and people considering starting a business in the first three months alone.
A total of 180 businesses received non-financial support to help them grow, while 60 potential entrepreneurs were supported to become enterprise-ready and develop new business ideas to bring to market.
Practical support for businesses across the region
The programme is funded by Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (HEYCA) and delivered with partners at East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Hull City Council. It provides practical one-to-one advice through experienced business advisers, alongside -
- specialist support
- workshops
- events
- online resources
- financial assistance
Businesses can receive help with areas including -
- business planning
- finance
- marketing and sales
- productivity
- innovation
- exporting
- energy efficiency
- supply chains
- accessing finance
During the first three months, 35 workshops and events were held across Hull and the East Riding, attracting 277 attendees. Of those who provided feedback, 87 per cent described the events as very useful and 83 per cent said their expectations had been met.
Keeping support in place through the funding transition
The current programme was established as Hull and East Yorkshire moved from the former UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) arrangements to the new Local Growth Fund.
UKSPF support ended in March 2026. The Local Growth Fund is a different programme with a broader purpose, and for 2026/27 Hull and East Yorkshire's allocation is lower than the previous UKSPF funding level. That means HEYCA has had to make deliberate choices about where continued investment can make the greatest difference.
With demand for business support already running ahead of several programme targets, Mayor Luke has agreed to extend the programme for a further six months while the Combined Authority develops its longer-term approach to business growth and delivery of the Local Growth Plan.
Mayor Luke Campbell MBE, Mayor of Hull & East Yorkshire said -
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They employ local people, bring ideas to life and keep money moving in our city, towns, villages and rural communities.
“The numbers tell us this support is needed. In just three months, hundreds of businesses and people thinking about starting one have come forward, and we've already reached more established firms than we expected to over the first six months.
“I want businesses to have confidence that support will continue. Extending the programme for a further six months gives us that continuity while we build the longer-term offer around our Local Growth Plan and what businesses tell us they actually need.
“I want it to be practical. If you've got an idea, want to grow, need help with finance, productivity, exporting or getting into new markets, we should be making it easier to find the right support.
“Hull and East Yorkshire has huge potential. I want us backing the people taking a risk, creating jobs and building something here, and making sure more local businesses can grow with our region.”
Part of the Local Growth Plan
The six-month extension will ensure businesses can continue to access support while HEYCA develops its longer-term approach to business growth and delivery of the Local Growth Plan, which identifies backing local business as one of the region's four major priorities for growth.
That longer-term direction is about helping more local firms start, survive, grow, innovate, recruit and win work, while making sure businesses across Hull, the East Riding, rural areas and coastal communities can access the right support at the right time.
The aim is not simply to keep individual programmes going, but to build a clearer and more joined-up business support offer that helps local firms become more productive, reach new markets and create more good jobs in the region.
Access the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Growth Plan to find out more about the region's wider plan for growth.
How businesses can get support
Businesses looking for support can contact the HEY Growth Hub, which provides a single route into local and national business support and funding opportunities across Hull and East Yorkshire.
Businesses can also use the Hull and East Yorkshire Business Support Handbook for an overview of the business support, funding and skills offers available across the region.