Ask an advisor
The following selection of questions that are frequently asked by new and developing businesses gives you a flavour of the range of services we offer. If you have a specific business related query that you would like to ask, please fill in our online form and we'll respond within three working days by telephone or e-mail.
| Q: Can you tell me about self-employment? | |
| A: To help us answer your query we will need the following information: • Your personal and/or business details • Your current status (employed or unemployed?) • Your business idea • Have you already started your business? (i.e. issued any invoices) • The planned location of your business • Have you already received any business support? • Have you prepared a business plan? Call us on 01772 422242 and we will arrange an initial contact with a Business Adviser to discuss your needs in more detail. | |
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| Q: Can you advise me whether I should register for VAT? | |
| A: To help us answer your query we will need the following information: • Your company details • Your business activity and business start date • Your level of sales • Who your customers are, i.e. trade or general public • Any overseas involvement in the form of imports & exports • Whether you have an accountant Call us on 01772 422242 and we will arrange an initial contact with a Business Adviser. | |
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| Q: Can you help me find business premises? | |
| A: To help us identify your specific needs we will need the following information: • Your company details • Your business activity and business start date • The number of people you employ • Whether you wish to buy or rent • The size of premises do you require • Do you have an ideal location? • The type of premises you require, i.e. office/industrial/retail • Are there any special requirements? • Will local staff be required? • The location you are moving from | |
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| Q: Do I need a business plan? | |
| A: The short answer is, Yes. There are a number of ways we can assist you in developing your plan. If you have not yet written one, attending our Head for Business Workshop will take you through all the essential stages of writing an effective and accurate business plan. Alternatively, you may have already put together a plan but need a qualified assessment before putting it into action. In this case a one-to-one consultation with one of our highly experienced business advisers will enable you to rework and improve your plan. To help us identify your specific needs we need the following information: • Are you a start-up, new or established business? • Your business activity and business start date • Your date of birth or age range • A brief resume of any market research that have you carried out to date • Your financial forecasts • The amount and purpose of any finance required Call us on 01772 422242 and we will arrange an initial contact with a Business Adviser. | |
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| Q: Can you help me with a new invention or patent idea? | |
| A: We often assist local inventors with advice on topics such as patenting, marketing, funding and producing new product designs. To help us identify your specific needs we need the following information: • Your personal and/or business details • Are you an existing business or an individual inventor? • Is your invention a prototype or still in the idea stage? • Have you applied for or obtained a patent? • Are you seeking financial support? Call us on 01772 422242 and we will arrange an initial contact with a Business Adviser. | |
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| Q: Can you help me with a legal problem? | |
| A: The Business Venture Group can offer advice on many business-related legal issues. To help us identify your specific needs we need the following information: • Your company details • The number of people you employ • Details of the problem • Have you sought advice from a solicitor or Citizens Advice Bureau? • Are you a member of a Trade Organisation? Call us on 01772 422242 and we will arrange an initial contact with a Business Adviser to discuss your problem in more detail. | |
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| Q: Can you advise me regarding Health & Safety Law? | |
| A: Government regulations concerning Health & Safety at work are often revised and it is essential for employers to be aware of new and existing legal requirements. To help us identify your specific needs we need now the following information: • Your company details • The number of people you employ • Do you have a specific problem or a general enquiry? • Are you a manufacturer and/or user of machinery? Call us on 01772 422242 and we will arrange an initial contact with a Business Adviser. | |
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| Q: you tell me what business grants are available? | |
| A: The answer to this question is entirely dependent on the specific circumstances and requirements of your individual business. Meeting one of our advisers is the best way to find the most up-to-date information on grant assistance or other funding opportunities, and whether you are eligible. To help us identify your specific needs we will need the following information: • Your personal and/or business details • Your business activity and business start date • The purpose of the grant you are seeking • Your business location • Do you have a business plan? Call us on 01772 422242 and we will arrange an initial contact with a Business Adviser to discuss your proposal in more detail. We can then carry out a grant search on your behalf. | |
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| Q: What do I need to do about Tax and National Insurance? | |
| A: All new businesses must register with the Inland Revenue within three months of trading. If you require assistance or advice in registering please contact us on 01772 422242 and we can arrange for you to speak to a Business Adviser. | |
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| Q: Can you help me set up a website? | |
| A: Most businesses these days would like a presence on the web. We can advise on whether or not a website is essential to your business - we also have a number of sources who can help you put together a website. For an initial consultation call us on 01772 422242 and an adviser can discuss your proposal in more detail. | |
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| Q: Can you help me with a cash flow problem? | |
| A: To help us answer your query we will need the following information: • Your company details • Your business activity • Is yours a short or long term cash flow problem? • How urgent is the problem? (i.e. can you pay wages?) • Do you require assistance in producing the contracts? • Is the problem due to non-payment by customers? • Have you produced a cash flow forecast? • Number of staff you employ Call us on 01772 422242 and we will arrange an initial contact with a Business Adviser to discuss your needs in more detail. | |
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| Q: Can you help me with a Contract of Employment? | |
| A: To help us answer your query we will need the following information: • Your company details • The number of people you employ • Do you require new contracts or amendments to existing ones? • Will the contract be for full or part-time staff? • Do you require assistance in producing the contracts? • Have you contacted a solicitor? • Number of staff to be employed Call us on 01772 422242 and we will arrange an initial contact with a Business Adviser to discuss your needs in more detail. | |
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| Q: Can you assist me with marketing my products/services? | |
| A: To help us answer your query we need the following information: • Your company details • Your business activity and business start date • Details of your business products/services • Are your products/services new or existing? • Details of any market research you have carried out • Are you marketing locally, throughout the UK, in Europe or Worldwide? • What type of assistance do you require? Call us on 01772 422242 and we will arrange an initial contact with a Business Adviser to discuss your needs in more detail. | |
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| Q: Can you assist me with Market Research? | |
| A: To help us answer your query we will need the following information: • Your personal and/or business details • Are you a start-up, new or established business? • Your business activity and business start date • Details of your business products/services • Are your products/services new or existing? • Details of any statistical information required or assistance in carrying out market research • Do you require help regarding customers, competitors or suppliers? • Are you marketing locally, throughout the UK, in Europe or Worldwide? Call us on 01772 422242 and we will arrange an initial contact with a Business Adviser to discuss your needs in more detail. | |
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| Q: Can you arrange for me to see an adviser? | |
| A: Our primary role is to offer one-to-one professional and impartial business advice and mentoring. We offer this service FREE OF CHARGE to anyone thinking of starting a business and to new or established small and medium sized business enterprises (SMEs) in this locality. To help us identify your specific needs we need the following information: • Your personal and/or business details • If you are starting a business, when do you plan to start trading? • If you are an existing business, when did you start trading and how many people do you employ? • What advice do you require? • Do you urgently require this advice? • Are you seeking financial support? • Details of any previous dealings with a Business Link/Enterprise Trust Adviser. Call us on 01772 422242 and we will arrange an initial contact with a Business Adviser. | |
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