Advice for Businesses

Starting a business

A decision to start your own business is likely to be one of the most important you will ever make and can also seem like one of the most daunting. There are however, plenty of organisations, willing to provide help and support to anyone wishing to turn a good idea into a sound business. So maybe your passionate hobby really can become your full-time job!

On this page you will find information about starting your own business including links to a variety of information provided by other organisations.

Workforce training

How work-based learning programmes can help you get a qualification or develop new skills. |More information from Directgov.

Local demographics

|Facts and figures about Surrey are available from Surrey County Council.

Business structure

Once you have decided on your business idea, you will then need to decide on what sort of business you want to run. You could start up on your own as a sole trader, go into partnership with someone else or maybe you will form a limited company.

More information about the differently types of business structure and the pros and cons of each is explained on the |Startups website.

Growing your business

Surrey County Council together with a number of partner agencies provide advice on how to develop your business. So whether you're looking for information about finance, people, product development, sales, marketing or buying / selling a business, be sure to visit their website:
|Surrey County Council - developing your business

Business rates

|Information about national non-domestic rates. Use our online forms to inform us if you have moved premises or if you wish to make a business rate enquiry.

Business continuity management

Business continuity management is a process that helps manage the risks involved in the smooth running of an organisation or delivery of a service in both the private and public sector. |Further information on business continuity management is available from the Surrey County Council website.

|Find out about protecting your business from flooding.

Swine flu

As the spread of the swine flu virus accelerates, business readiness is growing in importance. Employers and business proprietors are encouraged to prepare for the effects of swine flu by ensuring delivery of swine flu information, advice and guidance to employees. For further information see the Health Protection Agency's booklet |"Pandemic Swine Flu, what's the impact for my business?" or visit our |swine flu webpage.

Support your staff with childcare

Increasing amounts of legislation and changes in the attitude of the workforce have led to a greater need for flexible employment and benefit packages. |Surrey County Council outlines some of the childcare benefits available to employees.

Find out more

The following links to external organisations provide further information about starting and developing a business:

| j4bgrants - business grants
|Business in the community
|Business Link start up advice
|South East England Development Agency
|Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
|National statistics
|Small business forums
|Trading Standards
|Homes and Communities Agency - national and regeneration agency