business-advice-349
en

# Business Advice

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General Public
content="99XX" scheme="ONS SNAC"
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LAWS Project - Starter Kit - http://www.laws-project.org.uk
LAWS Project - Starter Kit - http://www.laws-project.org.uk
Tameside MBC - LAWS project - http://laws.tameside.gov.uk
business, advice
<h2>Miscellaneous</h2><span class="gen">email address here</span><span class="gen">phone number here</span><span class="gen">sms phone number here</span><span class="gen">fax number here</span><span class="gen">minicom number here</span><p><i>Whether you are starting a business or you have been running a business for 10 years, chances are you will need some help on specific issues or general issues. </i></p><hr/><p>We are here to help local business with all its support and development needs. We have a wide range of services at our disposal provided by a large number of organisations, including the Enterprise Agency, Business Link, our Economic Development Unit, Chamber of Commerce, the Training and Enterprise Council and many more. </p><p>We receive government funding and private sponsorship to provide certain services free of charge, such as guidance on starting a business, and we access subsidies wherever we can, making it possible for small and medium sized enterprises to benefit from advice and assistance that will improve their growth prospects. </p><p>We aim to give assistance on most aspects business. In addition to on-line information resources, there are specialist advisers who will deal with your needs on an individual basis. This could be something specific, such as an aspect of employment law, or something more general, such as how to increase profits over the next 3 years. </p><p>Other agencies that can provide advice to businesses, on a whole range of subjects can be found on the <a href="http://www.dti.gov.uk/for_business_small_business.html"> <strong>Department for Trade and Industry</strong> </a> <span class="gen">link to external website</span> website.</p><h2>Starting a New Business</h2><ul> <li title="*"> <strong>

<a href="#t1">Thinking of starting a business</a> </strong> </li> <li title="*"> <strong>

<a href="#t2">Where can I find business opportunities within the area?</a> </strong> </li> <li title="*"> <strong>

<a href="#t3">Can I get any financial support, grants or loans?</a> </strong> </li> <li title="*"> <strong>

<a href="#t4">Are there any courses that I may find useful?</a> </strong> </li> <li title="*"> <strong>

<a href="#t15">What taxes will I have to pay?</a> </strong> </li> <li title="*"> <strong>

<a href="#t5">Where can I get property advice?</a> </strong> </li> <li title="*"> <strong>

<a href="#t6">Do I need planning permission?</a> </strong> </li> <li title="*"> <strong>

<a href="#t7">Do I need a licence?</a> </strong> </li> <li title="*"> <strong>

<a href="#t8">What standards do I need to abide by?</a> </strong> </li> <li title="*"> <strong>

<a href="#t9">Will I need to pay business rates?</a> </strong> </li> <li title="*"> <strong>

<a href="#t10">Where can I get rid of trade waste?</a> </strong> </li> <li title="*"> <strong>

<a href="#t11">How do I recruit staff?</a> </strong> </li> <li title="*"> <strong>

<a href="#t12">What is e-business?</a> </strong> </li> </ul><h2>

Thinking of starting a business</h2><p>One of the major obstacles in the decision to set up a small business and become self-employed is a fear of the hurdles and the regulations associated with &quot;going it alone&quot;, as well as a worry about the viability of the venture. These need not be something to be concerned about if they are tackled in an organised way and if advice and guidance is sought from people who are experienced and trained to help. </p><p>The Enterprise Agency has help and guidance for a new business start-up. Because it is funded by government and private sponsorship it is provided at no-cost to the budding entrepreneur. The objective of the Agency is to encourage the creation of new businesses and to make sure these new businesses prosper and grow. </p><p>The Agency Advisers are qualified and are members of the Institute of Business Advisers. They are knowledgeable in what needs to done to make the experience of starting a new business enjoyable and rewarding. </p><p>You can find your nearest Enterprise Agency on the <a href="http://www.nfea.com/index.htm?page=find_lea.htm"> <strong>National Federation of Enterprise Agencies</strong> </a> <span class="gen">link to external website</span> website.</p><p>The Council is also committed to providing a wide range of services to local businesses and the community at large. The Council's Economic Development Unit plays a key role in encouraging investment in the area. The Unit is also working to increase the quality and variety of work skills offered to residents, helping them to make the most of new employment and training opportunities as they are created.</p><p>More information about <a href="/ccm/services/pid.jsp?pid=347"> <strong>Economic Development</strong> </a> <span class="gen">link to pid 374</span> and

<a href="/ccm/services/pid.jsp?pid=348"> <strong>Economic Intelligence</strong> </a> <span class="gen">link to pid 348</span> is available.</p><h2>

Where can I find business opportunities within the area?</h2><p>To look for businesses for sale in the area you can look in the local press, or visit some of the many websites that deal with the sale of businesses. A small selection are below</p><ul> <li title="*">

<a href="http://www.businessesforsale.com"> <strong>www.businessesforsale.com</strong> </a> <span class="gen">link to external website</span> </li> <li title="*">

<a href="http://www.businesssalesonline.com"> <strong>www.businesssalesonline.com</strong> </a> <span class="gen">link to external website</span> </li> <li title="*">

<a href="http://www.daltons.co.uk/business"> <strong>www.daltons.co.uk/business</strong> </a> <span class="gen">link to external website</span> </li> </ul><p> <strong>Franchises</strong> </p><p>There are around 600 businesses in the UK that are franchised but what is franchising and would it be suitable for you?</p><p>It's a way of setting up in business for yourself but not on your own. With a franchise you run the business, but using methods that have been already tried and tested by another company, called the franchisor.</p><p>It is a way of being your own boss without many of the risk factors. However, you are ultimately answerable to the franchisor and this approach may not be for some people.</p><p>There are a large number of websites that deal with selling franchises a small number are listed below:</p><ul> <li title="*">

<a href="http://www.franinfo.co.uk"> <strong>www.franinfo.co.uk</strong> </a> <span class="gen">link to external website</span> </li> <li title="*">

<a href="http://www.british-franchise.org"> <strong>www.british-franchise.org</strong> </a> <span class="gen">link to external website</span> </li> <li title="*">

<a href="http://www.360franchising.co.uk"> <strong>www.360franchising.co.uk</strong> </a> <span class="gen">link to external website</span> </li> </ul><h2>

Can I get any financial support, grants or loans?</h2><p>The Council is able to offer grants when funding allows, however, these schemes are discretionary and may have restricted eligibility. For information on current schemes please go to the <a href="/ccm/services/pid.jsp?pid=350"> <strong>Business Grants</strong> </a> page. <span class="gen">link to pid 350</span> </p><p> <strong>New Deal for people starting their own business</strong> </p><p>New Deal is a government initiative that offers help for people who want to set up and run their own business. Help with a business plan and a test trading period is available as well as a jobfinders grant. For more information visit the website <a href="http://www.newdeal.gov.uk/english/self_employment"> <strong>www.newdeal.gov.uk/english/self_employment</strong> </a> <span class="gen">link to external website</span> </p><h2>

Are there any courses that I may find useful?</h2><p>Learndirect run a number of courses that may be useful to you including IT courses such as word processing, databases and spreadsheets. They also run essential business and management skills courses covering finance, marketing, personnel and health and safety. There are a number of Learndirect centres throughout the region.</p><p>For more information about Learndirect visit the website at <a href="http://www.learndirect.co.uk"> <strong>www.learndirect.co.uk</strong> </a> <span class="gen">link to external website</span> </p><p>Other locally run courses are as follows:</p><p> <span class="gen">enter details</span> </p><h2>

What taxes will I have to pay?</h2><p>The Inland Revenue have put information on their website especially for people starting up their own business. Visit the website at <a href="http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/startingup/index.htm"> <strong>www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/startingup/index.htm</strong> </a> <span class="gen">link to external website</span> </p><p>There is also a help line run by the Inland Revenue for newly self employed people. Telephone number 0845 9154 515, which is open from 8am - 8pm.</p><h2>

Where can I get property advice?</h2><p>For details of business properties currently available in the area, please complete the on-line form on the <a href="/ccm/services/pid.jsp?pid=677"> <strong>Property Enquiries</strong> </a> <span class="gen">link to pid 677</span> page. </p><h2>

Do I need planning permission?</h2><p>Planning holds a balance between the need for new development and the need to protect the environment and tries to ensure all development is environmentally sustainable. Construction methods also need to comply with the Building Regulations for which there is a separate set of approvals.More information can be found on the <a href="/ccm/services/pid.jsp?pid=499"> <strong>Building Control</strong> </a> page. <span class="gen">link to pid 499</span> </p><p> <strong>Working from home</strong> </p><p> You do not usually need planning permission just to work from home but sometimes you do.</p><p>The key test is whether the residence has changed because of the business. If the answer to any of the following questions is &quot;yes&quot;, then you will probably need permission:</p><ul> <li title="*"> Is your house no longer chiefly a private residence?</li> <li title="*"> Will your business result in a marked rise in traffic, people calling or working around the house or in out buildings?</li> <li title="*">Will your business involve obvious activities not usual in a residential street?</li> <li title="*">Will your business disturb your neighbours because of noise or smells?</li> </ul><p> Basically you need to ask yourself if the house is still mainly a home or has it become business premises? This is whatever the business, including using a room as an office, hairdressing, repairing cars, storing goods, using part of the house as a bedsit, running a &quot;bed and breakfast&quot;, providing childminding or music teaching.

</p><h2>

Do I need a licence?</h2><p>Many businesses require a licence eg. hairdressers, pet shops and places of public entertainment. For appropriate advice and guidance covering all aspects of trading, licensing and public health legislation contact <span class="gen">enter details</span>.</p><h2>

What standards do I need to abide by?</h2><p>Trading Standards and Consumer Services is a strategic Local Authority service contributing to the well-being of the local and business community through its enforcement activities and advisory services. </p><p>The Trading Standards division will give talks to any business, consumer group, school or any other organisation on the work carried out by the Trading Standards service in the following areas: </p><ul> <li title="*"> <strong>

<a href="/ccm/services/pid.jsp?pid=404">Weights and Measures</a> </strong> <span class="gen">link to pid 404</span> </li> <li title="*"> <strong>

<a href="/ccm/services/pid.jsp?pid=791">Food Labelling</a> </strong> <span class="gen">link to pid 791</span> </li> <li title="*"> <strong>

<a href="/ccm/services/pid.jsp?pid=402">Product and Toy Safety</a> </strong> <span class="gen">link to pid 402</span> </li> <li title="*"> <strong>Home Safety</strong> </li> <li title="*"> <strong>

<a href="/ccm/services/pid.jsp?pid=787">Your Rights when Shopping</a> </strong> <span class="gen">link to pid 787</span> </li> <li title="*"> <strong>Credit, Borrowing and Lending </strong> </li> <li title="*"> <strong>General Work of the Trading Standards</strong> </li> </ul><p>Other subject areas that are not listed can be arranged on request. </p><p>More information can be found on the <a href="/ccm/services/pid.jsp?pid=401"> <strong>Trading Standards Advice to Business</strong> </a> page. <span class="gen">link to pid 401</span> </p><h2>

Will I need to pay business rates?</h2><p>For information on business rates use the following links:</p><ul> <li title="*"> <strong>

<a href="/ccm/services/pid.jsp?pid=54">Business Rates - General Information</a> </strong> <span class="gen">link to pid 54</span> </li> <li title="*"> <strong>

<a href="/ccm/services/pid.jsp?pid=55">Business Rates - Reductions</a> </strong> <span class="gen">link to pid 55</span> </li> <li title="*"> <strong>

<a href="/ccm/services/pid.jsp?pid=56">Business Rates - Individual Account Enquiries (including new accounts)</a> </strong> <span class="gen">link to pid 56</span> </li> </ul><h2>

Where can I get rid of trade waste?</h2><p>This service is available to all <a href="/ccm/services/pid.jsp?pid=517">commercial and industrial premises</a> in the area. <span class="gen">link to pid 517</span> </p><p>The Council also carries out <a href="/ccm/services/pid.jsp?pid=431">commercial pest control work for local businesses</a> . <span class="gen">link to pid 431</span> </p><h2>

How do I recruit staff?</h2><p>The Council is committed to attracting new jobs to the area and works in partnership with other agencies to ensure residents benefit from employment opportunities created. For more information visit the <a href="/ccm/services/pid.jsp?pid=343">employment and training initiatives</a> webpage <span class="gen">link to pid 343</span> </p><p>Your local job centre will advise you on recruiting staff and will advertise positions in the local centres free of charge. For more information, advice and to find your local job centre look at the website <a href="http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk"> <strong>www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk</strong> </a> <span class="gen">link to external website</span> </p><p>You can also contact the local employment agencies to help recruit permanent or temporary staff although there will be a charge for this. </p><p>You can also advertise in the local press.</p><h2>

What is e-business?</h2><p>e-business relates to businesses utilising new information and communication technologies such as e-mail, the world wide web and e-commerce. </p><p>The following are e-business projects/services on offer in the area:</p><p> <span class="gen">enter details</span> </p><span class="gen">email address here</span><span class="gen">phone number here</span><span class="gen">sms phone number here</span><span class="gen">fax number here</span><span class="gen">minicom number here</span><span class="gen">postal address here</span><h3> <a href="/ccm/services/pid.jsp?pid=349"> Providing Information (349) </a></h3>