Starting a Business

Starting a business can be a daunting process but help is at hand. This section contains links and information for those considering self employment. Overview of issues on starting a new business.

A guide gives information on everything from the basics of how do I survive until my business is off the ground up to more advanced questions like taxation, employing people, choosing premises and even doing business abroad. There is also a dedicated web site for business start ups.

Business Link's No-Nonsense Guides have been produced in conjunction with government departments and regional development agencies in order offer businesses clear and jargon-free advice about complex key issues. No-Nonsense Guides are easy-to-use guides for small businesses and people who are considering setting up. They provide essential information about the legal, official and financial aspects of setting up and running a business. Download guide to starting a business in the East Midlands

Apart from the extensive range of information from Business Link above, there is also online help available free from VentureNavigator. VentureNavigator also provides assistance for startups via a community of entrepreneurs sharing startup advice. The service is funded by the UK Government, ensuring that the service is free of charge to end users. It offers a series of assessments that give personalised feedback on key aspects of a business. The assessments are based on acknowledged best practice and include the general viability of a business, fitness for a particular business sector (e.g. manufacturing) as well as guidance on important factors such as Intellectual property (IP) and investment readiness.

Start up Advice, Support and Information

Below are a series of topics that you may wish to consider when starting a business

Your Business Plan

Record keeping

A guide as to what records you need to keep when running your business

Finance and Start Up Grants

General advice on the financial options when starting a business.

  • Are there any Local Authority grants for starting up my business?
    In general there are no cash grants for starting up a new business. However there may be small business rates relief (application for Small Business Rates Relief). In addition, start up companies that occupy Council owned business units may be entitled to discounts for the first few months. For more information please phone 01509 643400.
  • Start up grants may be available via Business Link, depending upon your type of business, needs and location.

Premises

Information on local business property and property agents

Working from Home

Business Rates

Regulations and Licences

Do I need a Licence / Permission / Inspection before I can start my business?

Particular regulations apply to food businesses; the Council Environmental Health Department can advise.

Legal Structures for Your Company

Free Training for Business Start Up

Business Link provides a series of FREE courses (see below) for anyone who intends to start a business or is even just thinking about whether it is the right thing for them. For full details of the start up programme please see web link or call 0845 058 6644. You can request a call back at your convenience.

View more information on 'Deciding to Start' workshops including the training calendar ( March - May 2011 (PDF Document, 0.4 Mb)). The Charnwood courses are usually held at the Ark Business Centre in Gordon Road, Loughborough but you may attend courses at any of the venues across the County according to the dates that suit you.

Unleashing Enterprise is an organisation that aims to draw together all organisations in the East Midlands that support enterprise. On its web site you can find an events calendar containing details of events across the region that may be of interest to anyone considering starting a business.

Help for Particular Groups

Self-Employment for Over-50s

Help for Young Entrepreneurs

  • There is specific help for young people (up to 30) wishing to start their own business

  • The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme supports unemployed young people aged 18-30 to work out if their business ideas are viable and whether self-employment is right for them. The Prince's Trust also offers various other forms of help to young people. Find out what the Prince's Trust has done to boost the confidence and enterprise of young people at Longslade Community College.

  • The Shell LiveWIRE awards Grand Ideas Awards aim to support early trading and start-up businesses (within their first 12 months of trading) with the most innovative and unusual ideas for their business. There must be an innovative element, either as part of the business (such as a new product) or as part of the business process (such as an unusual marketing campaign or activity). Up to £1,000 is available for eligible applicants who must, for example:
    • be aged between 16-30 (inclusive) on 31 December 2010;
    • live in the UK;
    • have, or about to have, a legal business operating in the UK;
    • have not previously won a Shell LiveWIRE award.
    • Some LiveWIRE awards offer up to £10,000 in a year.
  • Enterprising Streak is a campaign that focuses directly on supporting young people in the East Midlands aged between 14 to 30 years. The campaign aims to inspire our younger generations to consider their own enterprise capability and to engage with enterprise based activities. This campaign supports the national ‘Enterprise Week’ campaign – but is in place to support young people throughout the year by providing contacts, inspiration and practical advice. Importantly, the campaign encourages young people to think about their own enterprise ability – not just in setting up a business, but how their skills can make a real difference in the workplace, their community and in their own lives. The main activity of the campaign is built around a targeted website which provides extensive links to existing support for young people in the East Midlands. The website is packed with information on how to be more enterprising.

Help for Loughborough University students

  • There is help available from the University Enterprise Office for any student interested in setting up their own business or exploiting an idea.
  • The Office runs annual Enterprise Awards to recognise the most promising business ideas

Setting Up an Ebusiness

An ebusiness is an attractive way to start up because overheads can be low.

Local Networks and Business Clubs

Charnwood is very well served with local networks and clubs for businesses. They are a good way to build up contacts and get your name known. You should also investigate specialist trade and sector organisations.

If You Can’t Find What You Need Here…

Then try the A-Z of topics, search the main Business Link web site by keyword or give Business Link a call on 0845 058 6644. They are there to help you and all basic help is free.