Need Money for Your New Business?

Your first port of call for most business enquiries is your nearest Business Links service. These are local partnerships, which bring together the business support services of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), training and enterprise councils, chambers of commerce, enterprise agencies, local authorities and other local bodies. There are 85 partnerships nationwide with some 240 outlets and 650 advisers.

These centres can help with a wide range of issues including advice for start-up businesses, training, finance packaging, design, export, marketing and access to other specialist businesses. For details of the Business Links Signpost Line, the Scottish Business Shops, the Northern Ireland Local Enterprise Development Unit (LEDU) and the Business Connect service in Wales, see the end of this chapter.

You can also visit the Business Links website for information on the following:

-business and market research
- sources of grants and finance
- company and product sourcing
-Companies House and credit information.
Government development areas

The government provides discretionary grants if you are brave enough to set up business in what are euphemistically called 'assisted areas'. Projects must either create new jobs or safeguard existing ones to qualify. Check out Regional Selective Assistance (RSA), Regional Enterprise Grants and Regional Innovation Grants.

Other sources of help

The Enterprise Zone: provides an internet-based information service to business.

Trade associations: represent the interests of specialist industries or groups of traders and can be a valuable source of information. Good reference libraries should stock the Directory of British Associations, which lists all the trade associations.

Professional help: local accountants are well geared towards helping the small business (try yellow pages), while many solicitors participate in the 'Lawyers for your Business' scheme, which offers a free legal consultation or a legal health check if you are about to set up your own business.

Franchising: one option for budding entrepreneurs is to buy a franchise or turn an existing business into a franchise operation. There is a dedicated organisation for help with franchising - the British Franchise Association. It is also worth getting copies of two DTI small firms publications - Buying a Franchise and Franchising your Business.

Patent Office

It is important to protect a new business idea, invention or logo through the Patent Office. Contact the office for advice on patents, designs, trademarks and copyright.

Information technology

The Information Society Initiative (ISI) Programme for Business has established a network of local support centres, which offer advice and guidance on the benefits and use of information and communications technology by business.

Some centres offer access to facilities like video conferencing and may provide training or point you in the right direction for local expertise. The ISI produces a range of helpful brochures.