Setting up own business. Any pointers please?

[Northerner]

Dh and I have a wonderful opportunity to start our own business in Aug/Sep this year. We have been given the use of a shop unit owned by dh's Father which he currently rents out. The lease is running out soon and we can have it rent free.

Dh's expertise is in catering and we did have plans for a cafe/deli place but one has just opened next door

We are currently toying with ideas, so any suggesstions appreciated. We also have no clue of the next steps re: naming a business, accounts etc so any relevant website/book reccommendations are also welcomed.

TIA

Hi Northerner - good on you for having the iniative.

In your area contact your local business link organisation as a starting point. They have a website and are part of the DTI. They run courses in starting your own business and will deal with most things you need to consider such as accounts, company formation, whether you should trade as a company, partnership or sole trader. I think the courses are around 3 days, and they are either free or you pay a nominal fee.

Also there is an excellent book produced by Lloyds Bank called "Lloyds TSB Small Business Guide" by Sara Williams which I found to be helpful

Also you can contact your local council who might have some information, your Local Enterprise Agency and the Chamber of Commence. All are good sources of info. Good luck

just bumping this up again.