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Starting a Business?

Useful Information Sources

There are many sources of information to choose from if you are looking at starting up a business for the first time.  The volume of information available can be daunting and it can be difficult to know where to begin, however, the following sources and web-links provide some useful places to start.

Redditch Borough Council Business Link Other Internet Resources Libraries Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire & Worcestershire

Redditch Borough Council

Redditch Borough Council can help you with a number of important issues when starting up a business:

Business Advice

The Economic Development Team has a wealth of knowledge on local business issues.  It also has a good overview on local and regional business support opportunities, and up-to-date information on local service providers from training organisations to conferencing facilities.  We can put you in touch with the right contacts first time.   

Finding business premises

EDS maintains a comprehensive database of vacant commercial properties available in the area and can advise on issues relating to property price, planning permission and general suitability.  All information and services are free.  

Click here for more information on our commercial property search service.

Local Economic Information

The Economic Development Service has access to a range of information from listings of local businesses to unemployment rates.  The wide range of data available may assist you with putting together your business plan.  Click here for access to Redditch facts & figures.

Business rates

The Business Rates department can advise you of the rateable value of your premises.

Licensing

The Environmental Health department provides licenses and registration in relation to the following:

1. Health & Safety at Work
2. Environmental Protection
3. Food Hygiene
4. Animal boarding
5. Animal breeding
6. Pet Shops
7. Riding establishments
8. Skin piercing

Click here for information about starting a food business

For licenses relating to land and property, e.g. street licenses, contact the Property Services Management department.

Business Link West Midlands

Business Link is the national business advice service, operating in 17 locations across England and is provided by the Small Business Service, a UK Government agency.  

Business Link West Midlands provides comprehensive information and advice to help new and existing businesses whatever the issue.

They offer tailored information and services to existing businesses in areas including:

• People skills and workforce development
• Innovation and new product development
• Diversification and international trade
• Access to finance, investment and ICT
• Process and supply chain development
• Sales and marketing

To talk to an advisor call 0845 113 1234 or email info@businesslinkwm.co.uk

Business Link also provide extensive free support to new businesses.  Business Link enterprise services are delivered locally by NEW College and Balancing Business and are available free during the pre-trading period and for the first 12 months of trading.

NEW College

As part of Business Link's enterprise support, NEW College offers free business start up training; held at the Learning Zone, North Moons Moat.  The training is open to all and follows a flexible timetable.

Combining both group training and individual advice sessions, the course addresses issues such as Accounting, Employment, Health & Safety, National Insurance and Market Research.  On completion of the training you will have discussed your business idea with an advisor and produced a business plan.  Participation in the programme also provides excellent networking opportunities with other potential start ups and share experience and knowledge.

For further information call the Learning Zone on 01527 66965.

Balancing Business

Balancing Business work with each client on an individual basis. The initial 1 hour long meeting will focus upon clarifying the business idea and setting realistic business objectives. Market research is then used to confirm that there is a market for the business idea and that the market potential will enable the owner to realise their business objectives. The advisor continues to work with the client covering marketing strategy; finance including sales forecast and cash flow forecast; and legal aspects including tax, book-keeping, insurances, legal structures and compliance.

A completed business plan is produced which can be used as a monitoring tool and is referred back to during the advice sessions which take place once the business has been established on a quarterly basis until the business is 1 year old. The plan can also be used to apply for grant and loan funding.

All services are delivered in the local community e.g local library, community contact centres, job centres, supermarket cafes and town halls and will be delivered at times convenient to the client i.e. between school hours, evenings or weekends.

For further information call Balancing Business on 07894 413776 or 07785 245790

Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire & Worcestershire

The British Chambers of Commerce is an independent organisation comprising a national network of quality-accredited Chambers of Commerce, located in most business communities in the UK.  Redditch’s local Chamber is located in Worcester and covers both Herefordshire and Worcestershire.  It is the voice of business in the two counties, actively promoting trade, lobbying for members' interests and facilitating training and workforce development.  Key services include:

• International trade
• Training
• Information services
• Networking and business events
• Policy and lobbying
• Legal and regulatory advice

Call the advice line on 0845 641 1641 to find out how an experienced business adviser can help your business or email enquiries@hwchamber.co.uk or visit their website

Or visit:

Severn House,
Warndon Business Park,
Worcester,
WR4 9NE

Free  information on the Web

Business Link West Midlands' website, www.businesslinkwm.co.uk, provides unbiased, commonsense information on the issues that affect your business. With fact sheets, frequently asked questions, online tools and case studies on everything from writing a business plan to managing your customers, this is a well designed site with extensive free information that comes highly recommended for new business start ups.  

The British Chambers of Commerce website has a “business centre” that provides free news, business advice and case studies, all useful for those looking at starting their own business. www.chamberonline.co.uk/.

The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce can be accessed at  www.hwchamber.co.uk.  

Other Internet Resources

In addition, there are many websites offering free information and advice on starting a business, a selection of which include:

• Most high street banks have business sections on their websites, and many have excellent factsheets on considerations when starting a business.
• The Prince's Trust offers advice and support to business start ups run by 18-30 yr olds.
• Shell Livewire helps 16-30 yr olds to start and develop their own business.
• Business Hotline Publications (BHP) produces a series of more than 150 four-page briefings that cover key issues of concern to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Topics range from employment contracts to marketing on the Internet, and each title contains detailed, practical advice on avoiding common pitfalls and growing a business.   These briefings can be accessed free via the website  www.bizhot.co.uk
• www.wmwomensbusinesscentre.com has over 50 hours of online business training, factsheets, tips, templates and a jargon-busting glossary of business and financial terms.
• Learn Direct provides free business information fact sheets alongside information on its flexible training courses.  

Libraries

Libraries are a very useful reference source as well.  Redditch Library stocks a good number of useful publications in its business section, and individuals can also access the internet free of charge via its peoples-network terminals.  Birmingham Central Library offers an even wider range of publications and directories catering for more in depth market research.

Redditch Library 15 Market Place, Redditch. B98 8AR Tel: 01527 63291 Fax: 01527 68571 Email: RedditchLib@worcestershire.gov.uk Birmingham Central Library Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3HQ Tel: 0121 303 4511 Fax: 0121 233 4458 e-mail central.library@birmingham.gov.uk