Business Links
Dear Cottage Owner...
The answer to your question is often simple if you just know where to look !!!!
On these pages you will find helpful links and information that will give you a great head start on finding that answer. This information will all build up to provide a resource library for the new community of cottage owners that we are building. If you have any links or sites that you would like to recommend then please do not hesitate to get in touch by sending an email to info@your-cottage.co.uk
For your ease of use we will split these links into different sections, each of which will be added to over time.
Business Development
There are many organisations and associations in the Uk that offer help and information. Many of these associations offer more than information, they may offer specific benefits to their members as well as a range of business services and networking opportunities. It is necessary to spend time and do your own research as some will appeal to you more than others. The information that you require may not be covered in them all. Below you will find a list of good links that make a great start.
The Federation of Small Businesses is the largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. Formed in 1974, it now has over 196,000 members across 33 regions and 230 branches. On the member benefits side, it offers assistance and support 24 hours a day. The benefits are far reaching and include, Business Banking, Legal, Medical and Insurance advice and updates, online information, local events to meet other small business owners as well as advisers, and much more. It really is worth joining this federation for any one of these benefits !
Business Link is another fantastic place to get business support, information and help, on the internet, phone or in person. The web site covers from business start up and business planning to growing and enlarging your business. Many helpful articles on payroll and taxes, employing people, IT and e-commerce, sales and marketing all the way to best practise for selling your business. This is a clean and easy site to use, packed with helpful information and articles. Well worth the time.
The British Chambers of Commerce is a non-political, non-profit making organisation, owned and directed by its members, democratically accountable to over 135,000 individual businesses of all sizes and sectors throughout the UK. The website has strong sections on skills development and an extensive range of courses available. Again this is a good starting point for a huge range of business services as well as getting to know other business men and women in your local community.
The Small Business Advice Service provides free and confidential business advice and guidance to anyone planning, starting-up or running a small business - or self-employed, with fewer than 10 employees, in England. A unique feature of the service is the on-line Enquiry Service, which can link you directly to one of 200+ Accredited Business Advisers located throughout England - all members of the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies (NFEA). When a you submit an enquiry, the service automatically routes it to the most appropriate adviser, based on your post code. This routing process enables the service to take advantage of Adviser local knowledge that may be very relevant to the enquiry - for instance local development plans, grants, market conditions etc.
Smallbusiness.co.uk is a great fun and active site. There are many articles but some features like business bank account check lists are well worth the read. there is also areas for businesses for sale and business wanted as well as a franchise zone.
The Inland Revenue site is for individuals, employers and businesses. It has many helpful sections and publishes information leaflets, booklets and reports. There are also some very useful and information packed Frequently Asked Questions as well as clear contact numbers.
HMRC Customs - VAT is a tax on the final consumption of certain goods and services, your business may need to be registered. For a clear and comprehensive understanding, spend half an hour or so on this web site. Information includes Introduction to VAT a summary of the basic principles of VAT. Business Briefs, VAT Information Sheets ,a Library section. and 'Where to send your VAT forms or returns'.
Mybusinessrates.gov.uk - This is the official government web site providing information on all aspects of business rates for the business ratepayer in England. This is a Government-funded site, designed to provide businesses with a single source of clear and concise information on business rates. It is aimed at the smaller, independent ratepayer and is brought to you by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
Note: The information on this website is for ratepayers in England only. Ratepayers in Wales should go to www.mybusinessrates.gov.uk/wales. Ratepayers in Scotland and Northern Ireland should refer to their central or local authority.