Growing firms and start-ups are being targeted by a slimmed-down advice agency.

Business Link, now run by Serco across the south east, has suffered massive funding cuts, with its regional budget slashed by £7.2m to £18.1m. The number of staff in Kent, once more than 200, has plummeted to 30 and is falling again to just seven.

Following the decision to scrap the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), the Business Link operation has faced an uncertain future.

But SEEDA's life has been assured until March 2012 and the agency has awarded a new contract to Serco based on what it called a "reshaped" service.

Business consultants will now focus on growing firms and start-up enterprises. Others will be able to obtain advice, but only by telephone or via the website.

Graeme Sibley, chief executive of Business Link in the South East, said it was bold of SEEDA not to shrink the overall service but to re-design it. "We've now got much more focus within the financial constraints we've got where we are targeting those segments which can help the economy grow the most."

He added: "Business Link is still open for business. All small and medium enterprises can still access Business Link on the phone or on the website. Growth companies can get more support than they previously enjoyed in Kent through Business Link and start-ups can still access the support programme which we delivered previously as well. We are not deserting anybody."