As chief executive of Let’s Do Business Group for more than 20 years, Graham Marley has a unique insight into the challenges facing businesses in our town and across the South East, as well as the opportunities. We caught up with him to find out more about the support available and his vision for growth in Newhaven.
Tell us about Let’s Do Business Group and what you do.
The Let’s Do Business Group is a not-for-profit enterprise agency, based in Hastings but working across the South East and East of England. We help start-ups and SME businesses to start and grow. A lot of our services are funded by government contracts; we also run our own loan finance business, manage three business centres and have our own marketing company – there’s never a dull moment.
Can you share examples of any success stories, including businesses which LDBG has helped to grow?
Through the Newhaven Enterprise Zone’s Refurbishment of Employment Space Fund, we helped cable solutions company Leads Direct secure two rounds of grant funding to upgrade their warehouse and outdoor space. This meant they could install new equipment, improve safety, create new jobs and boost efficiency. It’s a great example of how targeted funding and guidance can unlock growth for a local business.
What are the biggest challenges facing small businesses (in particular those in Sussex and the South East) in 2025?
I think businesses have had so many challenges since 2020 – we still see businesses that are struggling because of debt they accrued during Covid. Then we have had soaring energy costs, high inflation and the recent increases in National Insurance and the minimum wage have just added to a really difficult economic picture. Government needs to give businesses a break.
What do you think are the biggest barriers to growth?
I think there are three key challenges – getting the right people and skills, access to finance and building your market. Let’s Do Business Group particularly focuses on helping businesses with finance and how to promote your business.
Tell us about the Her Biz Women’s Start Up Programme. How does it work and how has it supported female entrepreneurs?
We developed HerBiz seven years ago as we had identified a need to help more women develop their business ideas. From the first cohort it was clear some women preferred and blossomed in a female-only learning environment. We also found that many cohorts went on to set up groups that continued to meet up after the programme had finished.
The programme runs over three weeks, covering everything you need to know to start a business. NatWest funded the programme for 6 years, but with the funding now at an end we have had to scale back the number of programmes we run (new sponsors welcome!)
LDBG has helped deliver funding for businesses in partnership with Newhaven Enterprise Zone. Can you tell us more about how the two funding schemes – Refurbishment of Employment Space and Low Carbon Investment Fund – have been updated this year to make them more accessible?
Our Business Manager Emily Wright helps all applicants through the process for both schemes – she has lots of experience in navigating grant processes which aren’t always straightforward. Emily takes time to help the applicant ensure their application is appropriate for each scheme, supports the business with the claim process and undertakes a post-project review.
Having one point of contact makes it easier for the business to go through the process. The grant criteria have also improved, providing more flexibility and a lower requirement for match funding – the schemes are really helping businesses in the town.
How can the Refurbishment of Employment Space support businesses in Newhaven?
The primary purpose is to increase and/or improve business accommodation and to help create new employment opportunities in the town. This could be supporting the development of new premises or extending and improving existing premises, ultimately to support business and job growth in the town – so an example might be helping a business to develop a mezzanine level to increase floorspace.
How can the Low Carbon Investment Fund support businesses in Newhaven?
The scheme is aimed at helping businesses to decarbonise their operations – this could be helping to install LED lighting, or buying a new energy efficient piece of kit – for instance one business received a grant to acquire a new energy efficient forklift.
Have you got any exciting news to share about what’s coming up for LDBG?
Our finance arm, Let’s Do Business Finance, was the first lender nationally to be accredited by the British Business Bank under its new Community Enable Fund. This is a groundbreaking fund supporting not-for-profit, community-based lenders to help support local SMEs to grow and develop.
How would you describe Newhaven?
A town with potential – there are plenty of positives already, but I think the best is still to come. The opportunity comes from growing the local economy.
Tell us what you love about Newhaven. Where is your favourite place in the town?
I may be biased but Newhaven Enterprise Centre is a great base for businesses (or meetings), the team are really friendly – it’s well worth a visit.
What do you think makes Newhaven a great place to base a business?
Newhaven is well located with transport links, close to Brighton. It has a good mix of business space, with more being planned – and it’s surrounded by the South Downs National Park.
What would you like Newhaven’s future to look like in 10 years’ time?
In 10 years I would love to see Newhaven as a thriving town acting as a gateway for both tourism and industry – making the most of the port and developable land, the town should be a key centre of economic development and prosperity in Sussex.
What would you like Newhaven Enterprise Zone to spend its funding on in the town? Creating more commercial space in the town, more cultural events which make Newhaven a better place to live and work in, support for businesses to help them grow or something else entirely?
All of the above – towns need to be multidimensional. I’d also like to see if there is a way of investing in the town’s future talent, helping to raise young people’s aspirations and making them aware of some of the amazing businesses in the town, like Surrey Nanosystems. They created Vantablack – the “blackest black” with its applications in aerospace, optics, astronomy and defence industries – clever stuff!
To find out more, visit: www.letsdobusinessgroup.co.uk
Read more Q&As in our Faces of Newhaven series here.
