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Business FAQs

Some answers to common questions people may have when starting up or developing their business.

questions

Whether you are starting a business or have been running a business for many years, the chances are you will, at times, need help on specific or general issues.

A wide range of services are available to support and develop businesses. These are provided by a large number of organisations, including Business Link East, NWES and Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce.

Other agencies that can provide advice to businesses on a whole range of subjects can be found on the Department for Innovation and Business Skills

Click on the links below to go to the section of this page which holds the information you need.

Thinking of starting a business

One of the major obstacles in the decision to set up a small business or become self-employed is a fear of the hurdles and the regulations associated with "going it alone", as well as a worry about the viability of the venture. These need not be something to be concerned about if they are tackled in an organised way and if advice and guidance is sought from people who are experienced and trained to help.

The Council is committed to providing a wide range of services to local businesses and the community at large. The business development team plays a key role in encouraging investment into the area. The team is also working to increase the quality and variety of work skills offered to residents, helping them to make the most of new employment and training opportunities as they are created.

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 (see related links), or visit some of the many websites that deal with the sale of businesses. Below is a small selection of such sites:

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 use methods that have already been tried and tested by another company, called the franchiser.

It is a way of being your own boss without many of the risk factors. However, you are ultimately answerable to the franchiser and this approach may not be for some people.

There are a large number of websites that deal with selling franchises, including:

Can I get any financial support, grants or loans?

New Deal for job seekers starting their own business

New Deal has helped thousands of people to set up and run their own business. If you are already on one of the New Deal programmes, then you should be able to get help to become self employed.

NWES Advance

NWES Advance is a Business Enterprise Loan Fund available to those who wish to start up in business or expand an existing business in the East of England and are unable to access finance elsewhere. It offers:

  • Start-up loans of up to £10,000
  • Business loans of £3,000 to £30,000
  • An approval system that assesses loan applications on a business case basis and not Credit Scoring
  • Loan terms of up to 5 years
  • On-going business advice and support throughout the duration of the loan term

For further information contact NWES

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 visit Learn Direct

More courses available through the College of West Anglia

What taxes will I have to pay?

HM Revenues and Customs have information, including details about free workshops for people starting their own business.

There is also a help line run by HM Revenues & Customs for newly self-employed people, 0845 9154 515, which is open from 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am - 4pm Saturday and Sunday.

Where can I get property advice?

For details of business properties currently available in the area, please complete the on-line form on the Property Enquiries

An excellent guide for finding premises is provided by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors

More information can be found at Department for Innovation and Business Skills

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 Intro to BC page.

Working from Home

You do not usually need planning permission just to work 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 whether the house is still mainly a home or whether it has become business premises.

For more advice visit Department for Innovation and Business Skills

What standards do I need to abide by?

Cambridgeshire County Council provide information on trading standards.

Will I need to pay business rates?

For information on business rates and useful contact information , see the Business Rates tab on the homepage of this site.

Where can I get rid of trade waste?

This service is available to all businesses in the area.

The Council also carries out pest control work for local businesses. For more information see the Pests page.

How do I recruit staff?

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, visit DirectGov Employment.

You can also contact the local employment agencies to help recruit permanent or temporary staff although there will be a charge for this.