Links

Government Bodies

Business Link (www.businesslink.gov.uk)

Support and advice for businesses in England .

0845 600 9006

Small Firms Loan Guarantee (www.sbs.gov.uk)

Government backed scheme guaranteeing loans for firms that are having difficulty obtain finance.

0114 259 7308

Regional Development Agencies (www.dti.gov.uk)

Regional funding and development schemes.

020 7215 5000

Trade Partners UK (www.tradepartners.gov.uk)

Guidance for companies that are or intend to supply goods for export.

0207 215 5444/5

Inland Revenue: Employers Helpline (www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/employers)

Register as an employer and receive an employers starter pack

VAT (HM Customs and Excise). (www.hmce.gov.uk)

Registering for VAT, advice and forms.

0845 010 9000

Health and Safety Executive. (www.hse.gov.uk)

Advice and information on health and safety issues.

0870 154 5500

Patent Office. (www.patent.gov.uk)

Advice on registering Patents, Trademarks, Copyright and design rights. On-line search facility.

0845 950 0505

Trading Standards Institute. (www.tradingstandards.gov.uk)

0870 872 9008

Office of Fair Trading. (www.oft.gov.uk)

Advice and registration for a consumer credit licence.

0845 722 4499

Finance & Accounting Services

National Business Angels Network. (www.bestmatch.co.uk)

The biggest portal to the UK informal investment market.

0207 329 2929

The Prince's Trust. (www.princestrust.org.uk)

Advice and financial support for disadvantaged young people seeking to start their own business.

0800 842 842

Shell LiveWIRE. (www.shell-livewire.org)

Information, advice and support for entrepreneurs aged under 30.

0845 757 3252

British Venture Capital Association. (www.bvca.co.uk)

Provides services to Investors and Entrepreneurs .

0207 025 2950

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. (www.accaglobal.com)

Largest international accountancy body, with over 300,000 students and members in 160 countries.

0207 396 7000

IT & Design

UK Online for Business. (www.dti.gov.uk)

Advice and information on using technology in your business.

0845 715 2000

Information Commissioner. (www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk)

Guidance on the Data Protection Act.

01625 545 7450

ATT ( www.allthingstechnical.co.uk)

Be-spoke software, Internet solutions, Multimedia, Networks and Telecommunications. Getting more from your business.

0870 4423218

Judderdo ( www.judderdo.com)

Complete marketing, design & communications solutions for business

0800 093 5088

Other Organisation

Trade Associations. (www.taforum.org)

Search for trade associations by industry sector.

Federation of Small Businesses. (www.fsb.org.uk)

Organisation representing the interests of smaller UK companies.

01253 336000

British Chambers of Commerce. (www.chamberonline.co.uk)

Online directory

020 7654 5800

Institute of Directors. (www.iod.com)

Professional network that reaches into every corner of the business community.

0207 839 1233

National Federation of Enterprise Agencies (www.nfea.com)

Network of independent local agencies providing a comprehensive range of quality services.

01234 354055

Investors in People (www.yourpeoplemanager.com)

Aimed at helping the managers of small businesses deal with the everyday questions, issues and problems of managing staff

020 7961 0300

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