[kappa84]

Ok, so you think about getting yourself into a business. I think you may find these organisations useful for starting up and running your own business, so I’ve made up a categorized thread which includes the following:


1. Training

Learndirect - Information and advice on courses and business training www.learndirect.co.uk
Training Pages - Directory of training courses in the UK www.trainingpages.net
New Entrepreneur Scholarship (NES) - A business training course incorporating mentoring and a start-up grant funded by government www.nesprogramme.org


2. Business support

Business Link - Government support, advice and information for businesses in England,most being provided free of charge www.businesslink.gov.uk
Business Eye - Government support, advice and information for businesses in Wales www.businesseye.org.uk
Invest Northern Ireland - Government support, advice and information for businesses in Northern Ireland www.investni.com
Startups.co.uk - General information on starting up in business www.startups.co.uk
The Prince’s Trust - Advice and financial support for young people that start-up a business but cannot raise all the funding they need www.princes-trust.org.uk


3. Forming a business

Companies House - To form a limited company or limited liability partnership www.companieshouse.gov.uk
National Business Register - To check availability of business names www.anewbusiness.co.uk

4. Business premises

Planning Portal - Information on planning permission www.planningportal.gov.uk
My Business Rates - Information on business rates www.mybusinessrates.gov.uk
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors - Advice on land, property,construction and associated environmental issues www.rics.org.uk

5. Market research and advertising

Data Depot - Demographic and market information for UK www.datadepot.co.uk
Kelly Search - Information on world wide products, services and company names www.kellysearch.com
Kompass – Like Kelly search www.kompass.com
Advertising Association - Trade association providing information, research and statistics about advertising www.adassoc.org.uk
Office for National Statistics - Statistics on the UK economy, population and society at national and local level www.statistics.gov.uk
Committee of Advertising Practice - Information on advertising rules www.cap.org.uk.

6. Tax, National Insurance and VAT

HM Revenue and Customs - Information about on tax, benefits, self assessment, tax credits,VAT, importing and exporting www.hmrc.gov.uk
UK Trade and Investment - Guidance for companies that intend to or are already exporting www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk

7. Health and safety

Health and Safety Executive - Advice and free literature on all matters relating to health and safety www.hse.gov.uk
Safestartup.org - Information on how to comply with health, safety and environmental regulations for start-up companies and small businesses www.safestartup.org

8. Patents, trademarks and copyright

Patent Office - Information about trademarks, copyright, designs and patents and how to register and protect them www.patent.gov.uk
Intellectual Property - Information on UK intellectual property and how to protect it www.intellectual-property.gov.uk

9. Employment rules

Acas - For enquiries and information on employment issues www.acas.org.uk
Department of Trade and Industry - Information on employment rules and regulations www.dti.gov.uk

10. Other government advice

Directgov- Easy way to access government services on the Internet. Links to information from central government and local council websites www.direct.gov.uk
Trading Standards Institute - Guidance on trading standardswww.tradingstandards.gov.uk
Office of Fair Trading - Guidance on customers’ legal rightswww.oft.gov.uk
Information Commissioner - Guidance on data protection www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

11. Legal information

Community Legal Service - Advice, information and helpline to help people with their legal problems www.clsdirect.org.uk
Law on the Web - Short guide on legal issues www.lawontheweb.co.uk
Lawyers for Your Business - Free consultation provided by a network of solicitors in England and Wales www.lawsoc.org.uk

12. Professional services
Search Accountants - Directory of UK accountants www.searchaccountants.co.uk
Solicitors UK - Directory of UK solicitors www.solicitors-uk.org.uk

13. Trade associations

Trade Associations Forum - Search for a trade association in your sector www.taforum.org.uk
Trade Fairs and Exhibitions UK - Listing of UK consumer, public, industrial and trade exhibitions www.exhibitions.co.uk