The best business support groups for advice, resources and networking

In technological terms, there has never been a better time to be a small business owner: people can always get hold of you and you can work wherever you need to. Logistically it may not be all that great, though – remote working can be isolating and sometimes when you need a meeting space the local coffee shop just won’t cut it.

But there are organisations to help. Here is a selection of some of the broader-based ones – but if your own profession has some sort of association, do investigate it.

Chambers of Commerce

Help varies from region to region in this long-established network of local groups. “The support we have received as a member of Surrey Chambers of Commerce during the past 18 years has been fantastic,” says Chaz Brooks, managing director of communications company CBC Ltd. “We have made countless excellent contacts within our local business community, which has resulted in contracts far outweighing our outlay. The camaraderie of local businesses pulling together is important, and the various chamber discount schemes are a bonus. For a company like ours the cost [£240] of our annual membership represents fantastic value for money.”

Meanwhile, the Liverpool and Sefton Chamber of Commerce launched its own business accelerator programme, Spark Up, in 2014, which has met with some success.

Overall it’s essential to check what’s going on in your region as Chambers of Commerce differ dramatically.

Federation of Small Businesses

Benefits offered by this membership organisation include tax protection, legal protection, online legal documents, financial health checks and more. The FSB is a campaigning body that also works by region and offers savings on banking and insurance. It has a recommended pension scheme, a fuel card and telecom solutions. Subscriptions depend on the number of employees in an organisation and start at £125, plus an administration fee.

Institute of Directors (IoD)

If prestigious meeting premises are important to your company then the IoD is hard to beat. Its flagship edifice on Pall Mall used to be a club and still has that genteel air, although some of the dress code rules have relaxed.

As well as a couple of large drop-in lounges for working, the IoD offers restaurants, bars, meeting spaces, research sessions, access to airport lounges and, more recently, access to 3,000 Regus (see below) working spaces across the world. There is also, at extra cost, a virtual receptionist service and access to conferences, learning events and local groups. Membership starts at £385 per year.

Local Authorities

Don’t overlook local or indeed national government bodies. One example is Sheffield city council’s Creative Sheffield scheme, which is investing £1m to foster business growth in the city. Its schemes include Business Gateway, the channel for all business inquiries, offering advice and help; it also has facilities for startups and early stage businesses, including coaching and expert sessions as well as a network of business growth advisers. Most local authorities will have something for businesses in spite of the cuts; check their websites or call and ask.

Regus

This network of office premises is available internationally. There are drop-in facilities if you need to work before getting on a plane, as well as facilities at some motorway service stations. Offices are also available to rent, both on a permanent and temporary basis. The snag is that provision is uneven, and whereas some premises are swish, a handful are much less so. Check the website or app and call ahead. Other services include call handling and virtual receptionists.

Universities

Many have incubator schemes and other programmes designed to support businesses. One example is Nottingham Trent University (NTU), which hosts the local Institute of Directors branch as well as two of its own projects. Working With You is a collaboration between NTU and small to medium-sized businesses in the East Midlands, helping companies with consultancy and other matters including student placements; The Hive is a purpose-built centre at the university to encourage small business entrepreneurs among NTU students and graduates. It can be worth picking up the phone to find out what your local university offers.

Vistage

This peer-to-peer support and mentoring group for business directors is a regional organisation that runs regular regional, private groups, which may include speakers. Its publicist says it’s like a gym for organisations that want to get fitter. With 19,000 members across 16 countries it’s is not for the faint hearted: the cost is £10,000 per annum per business, and it is therefore populated with highly motivated people who want to get the most out of their membership. Also check the Academy of Chief Executives, which offers similar services to a similar market. Both are very reputable.

There are numerous other smaller and more localised groups. The British Library, for example, has an entrepreneur and ambassador in residence. If your business is doing extremely well, then For Entrepreneurs Only specialises in members with £3bn-plus turnovers. Networking groups such as Business Live and Business Networking International bring local groups together and try to pair people with the expertise and help they may need. Also look out for the numerous supper and breakfast clubs.

Do you use any of these business groups? Why are they helpful for your company? Or have you found any other useful organisations? Let us know in the comments section below or tweet us @GdnSmallBiz.

Sign up to become a member of the Guardian Small Business Network here for more advice, insight and best practice direct to your inbox.