Start Up
More Information on Start Ups
A useful starting point is your local Business Link which has access to a wide range of business information from a variety of sources.
For someone who is starting in business for the first time, there are many sources of information to choose from. If you want to shop around yourself, the information comes in many formats - books, magazines, CD-ROMs, audio cassettes, videos, websites, training courses - and from many sources - banks, solicitors, accountants, business support organisations, government departments. The information available from all of these sources can be general in nature or quite specific in terms of types of start-up business or people (e.g. women, young people) who want to start.
Among the many websites offering information on starting a business, are:
- The banks: Bank of Ireland, Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Clydesdale Bank, Co-operative Bank, HSBC; Lloyds TSB, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank.
- Prince's Trust (18-30 yr olds), Shell Livewire (16-30 yr olds)
- Business Hotline Publications (whose material is used by many Business Link service providers)
- National Federation of Enterprise Agencies (partners in the Business Link network)
- WeWomen.com and scottishbusinesswomen.com (aimed specifically at women)
- Learn Direct
- Channel 4 - The Real Deal (TV programme aimed at would be entrepreneurs who are looking for investment in their businesses. Business Link Herts. has helped with the programme).
- Libraries are useful reference sources as well. Telephone your local library and ask if they have a commercial/business section or can point you in the direction of the nearest library which does. UK Libraries on the Web lists libraries in alphabetical order.