Regulations

Fair Trading Security

Licences  

A licence is required for many businesses, not just the obvious ones like casinos or public houses. For example, you need a licence to run a hotel, a guesthouse, a mobile shop or to be a hairdresser. You should always check whether your business requires a licence to trade.

Insurance

It is good practice to have insurance to cover the loss or theft of your business property, as well as other types of possible losses. It is also compulsory to have public liability insurance, which will often come as part of your contents insurance policy.

Keeping information about people

If your business involves keeping information about people, you will have to be careful about the sort of information you keep and how it is used in relation to the Data Protection Act. You may have to register if you keep such information on computer.

Intellectual property

‘Intellectual property’ describes things such as business names, patents and inventions. You should protect your own company name and logo, along with any inventions, product designs or copyrights. You should also respect other people’s intellectual property rights. For example, you can not use the same name for your business as someone else doing similar work in your town.

Fair trading  

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is responsible for protecting consumers by promoting effective competition, removing trading malpractice and publishing appropriate guidance. The OFT also issues consumer credit licences.

Providing services to disabled people

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, you must do everything you can to make sure that disabled people can benefit from the services you provide.