Business Advice
If you run a business the chances are that you will require help with either general or specific issues. This page contains links to many sources of advice and aid.
Where can I find business opportunities within the area?
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 is shown below:
Franchises
There are around 600 businesses in the UK that are franchised but what is franchising and would it be suitable for you?
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.
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.
There are a large number of websites that deal with selling franchises a small number are listed below:
Can I get any financial support, grants or loans?
There are no local grants for business but more information on grants and support schemes can be found on the Business Link website.
Information regarding help and assistance for small and new business can be found on the Department of Trade and Industry website.
New Deal for people starting their own business
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 newdeal website.
Are there any courses that I may find useful?
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.
For more information about Learndirect visit the website at www.learndirect.co.uk
What taxes will I have to pay?
The Inland Revenue have put information on their website especially for people starting up their own business. Visit the website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/startingup/index.htm
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.
Where can I get property advice?
For details of business properties currently available in the area, please complete the online form on the Property Enquiries page.
Do I need planning permission?
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 Building Control page.
Working from home
You do not usually need planning permission when working from home but sometimes you do.
The key test is whether the residence has changed because of the business. If the answer to any of the following questions is "yes", then you will probably need permission:
- is your house no longer chiefly a private residence?
- will your business result in a marked rise in traffic, people calling or working around the house or in out buildings?
- will your business involve obvious activities not usual in a residential street?
- will your business disturb your neighbours because of noise or smells?
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 bed and breakfast, providing childminding or music teaching.
Do I need a licence?
Many businesses require a licence - for example hairdressers, pet shops and places of public entertainment. For appropriate advice and guidance covering various aspects of trading, licensing and public health legislation please contact us.
What standards do I need to abide by?
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.
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:
- Weights and Measures
- Food Labelling
- Product and Toy Safety
- Home Safety
- Your Rights when Shopping
- Credit, Borrowing and Lending
- General Work of the Trading Standards
Hertfordshire County Council are the local trading standards authority. Click here to visit the county website.
Will I need to pay business rates?
For information on business rates click here.
Where can I get rid of trade waste?
This service is available to all commercial and industrial premises in the area.
The Council also carries out commercial pest control work for local businesses.
Click here to visit our commercial waste pages.
How do I recruit staff?
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. 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 www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk