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Contact Us

Address:
The Guildhall
Frankwell Quay
Shrewsbury
SY3 8HQ
 
Telephone:
01743 281000
 
email:

Starting a Business

Starting up your own business can be a daunting proposition.  However there are many sources of advice and guidance available.
 
Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council's Destination Shrewsbury unit can provide help and guidance with some issues related to setting up a business in Shrewsbury.  Contact information for this unit can be found on the home page of the business section. 
 
The Business Link website contains a wealth of advice for businesses, from starting up, through to finance, taxes, payroll, IT and sales and marketing.
 
Shell LiveWIRE aims to help 16-30 year olds start and develop their own business.  They run a national 'Young Entrepreneur Of The Year' competition, and their website contains relevant information for starting a business, whatever your age.
 

Help with Funding

When looking for funding to start a business, people may use their own savings, or may approach family and friends for a loan.  If these sources of finance are not available, of if you need to raise more money in addition to money raised through these sources, then there are additional options available to you.
Your bank should have a business advisor who will be able to advise you on methods of raising finance including overdrafts and loans.  The advisor should also be able to offer help and advice with writing a business plan and forecasting your cashflow.
The Business Link has a network of advisors throughout the UK.  Advisors can help you with all aspects of starting and running a business, including raising finance.
 Two men shaking hands

Employment and Tax

Woman completing a form 
One of the first things that you should do when starting a business is register with the HM Revenue and Customs (Inland Revenue) or phone the helpline 08459 154515 from 8am to 8pm seven days a week.
It is essential that you keep up-to-date records of all your business earnings and expenditure.  The HM Revenue and Customs site can advise you on what records you need.

Employing Staff

Taking on staff involves a range of responsibilities, and again, the Business Link website contains information regarding this.  Another useful source of information is startups.co.uk, who have a section dedicated to taking on new employees.
The Inland Revenue operate a helpline to provide advice on new employees.  The number for the New Employers' Helpline is 0845 607 0143.
 
When looking to recruit, you may wish to consider taking on an apprentice.  Apprentices can help your business in a number of ways - take a look at the apprenticeships website for more details.

Value Added Tax

If your turnover exceeds £54,000 a year, you should register for Value Added Tax.  You don't usually need to register for VAT until it reaches that limit in any 12 months, or you expect it to do so.

Your annual turnover is the total amount of money coming into your business from the goods or services you sell.

You will also have to pay business rates to your local authority.  If you are based in Shrewsbury, please see our business rates section for more information and contact details.

Training Assistance

Your local learning and skills council will be able to help you find suitable local training for yourself or your staff.
In addition, there are websites to point you in the right direction for learning, or to provide the learning online.
 
Way to learn has been developed by the Department of Education and Skills to bring together information that will help potential and adult learners make informed decisions about taking up learning.
 
Learndirect has details of hundreds of online courses on a variety of subjects that you can work through from anywhere, in your own time.  They also provide information and advice on over 700,000 courses from providers throughout the UK.
 Man working on a computer 

Employers Organisations

There are various national and local organisations which represent the interests of business people.
 
The British Chambers of Commerce is a national network of quality-accredited Chambers of Commerce.  They are a voice for business in your local community and provide a range of services to business.  The Shropshire Chamber can also be found at http://www.shropshirebusinesssolutions.co.uk/.
 
The Confederation of British Industry represents companies from every sector of UK business and is a voice for British business.

The Federation of Small Businesses is a lobby group for UK small businesses with a large national membership.

The Institute of Directors represents directors of British companies and promotes professionalism in the boardroom.