Ok to have a normal bank account for business?

[Dozeyland]

I just have an additional bank account?

I've just got a normal one, couldn't be faffed with the monthly charges.

If it's good enough for you, it's good enough for me.

BUT
check what the rules are on your account - if they click that you are using it for business they might backdate charges
I only got a separate bank account when I went Ltd

I've got a normal one with First Direct for my Phoenix Trading (albeit quite small!) business. I explained what it was for when I opened it and there was no problem.

If you can stand Santander it does have free business banking.

As someone who has a business account and a non business account, which we also use for business, definitely stick to a non business account. Get people to write cheques to you in your own name. The pain in the bum of the business bank account cannot be understated. There are no benefits unless you are going to want a loan or an overdraft. I don't so I don't use it. But if you are working with a Council or other Govt Dept, you may have to jump through additional hoops to be paid, if they have to pay to a bank account in your name rather than a business name.

Hope this is useful :)

It depends what your turnover and level of transactions will be. The T & C of the personal account will state that it's not to be used for business. If it's a small business with only a handful of transactions per month, no-one will notice, but if you pay in large amounts of cash or cheques they will and you'll be asked to use an "appropriate" account.

All payments you receive will have to be in your name, not the business though, so if you are Dozeyland t/a Dozeyland & Associates, you will only be able to bank cheques/payments payable to Dozeyland, not the full name or Dozeyland & Associates

If you're a Ltd Co, you will have to have a business account

Are you trading as a Ltd co? If so you must have a bank account in the name of the company. If you are a sole trader, using a personal account for your business is ok legally but the bank may ask some questions if there are a lot of transactions. It can also look less professional asking clients to write cheques to you personally rather than your business.

Emma