What Does “CIC” Really Mean and Why Does It Matter?

You’ve probably seen the letters “CIC” before and wondered what they actually stand for. It’s a good question, and one that says a lot about who we are and why we exist. CIC stands for Community Interest Company. That’s not just a legal label, it’s a commitment. It means we’re a social enterprise, set up to serve people rather than generate profits for shareholders. We’re here to make a meaningful and lasting difference in our community and that’s exactly what we’ve been doing for the last 30 years. At Portobello Business Centre, we focus on supporting ambition, especially the kind that lives right here in our borough.

So What Do We Actually Do?

We work with people from all walks of life, at every stage of their business journey.

Whether you’re developing your first idea or running something established, we work alongside you, offering practical tools, honest advice and support that grows with you.

Here’s how we help:

• Personalised business advice from experienced professionals

• Workshops that break things down without the jargon

• Funded programmes that help local residents access expert support

• Networking opportunities

Everything we offer is designed to be useful, accessible and genuinely helpful.

Want to See What We’re About?

We’d love to show you. If you're curious about how we can support your journey, get in touch to claim your complimentary 30-minute taster session. No pressure, no strings, just a friendly conversation about where you’re at and where you want to go.