Business Start-up Guide - Argyll and Bute

[Pages:8]Business Start-up Guide

Products and Services for Business Start-ups

in Argyll and Bute

0845 609 6611



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The Start-Up Process

Think about your idea Research your idea

Start writing your business plan Develop your business plan

Start up

What we can do for you

Business Gateway Website

Business Start-Up Organiser Start-Up Workshops

Business Information Service

Local Advisory Support

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What is Business Gateway?

Business Gateway offers assistance and advice to people starting up or growing their businesses in Scotland, providing access to publicly funded services.

Business Gateway is helping new start and existing businesses to grow and prosper through a combination of online support, a programme of local workshops and events and advice to suit your specific business needs from a network of experienced business advisers.

What can Business Gateway do for you?

If you're thinking of starting up your own business in Scotland you can ask for Business Gateway's help. We can support you through the crucial stages of setting up your business and during the first couple of years of development and trading. What's more, most of our services are free.

First things first

Becoming your own boss is one of the most exciting ? and challenging ? things you can ever do.

If you want to put your business dream into action, but don't quite know how to make it happen, we can help!

Business Gateway Website:

Find out more about all aspects of starting up and running your business on our comprehensive website. It includes important information about choosing your legal status, legislation about your business sector and laws about tax, insurance and employing staff. Just go to

Are you ready to run your own business?

Our online business start up organiser is the perfect way to kick start your business dream. This easy to use tool will help you identify your strengths and spot any areas you need to work on.

It'll give you a set of action points based on your own development plans each with links to the relevant section of our website and recommendations for free workshops that'll help you build the skills you need.

start-up

Workshops and Events

Business Gateway can help you achieve your goals with a programme of free Start Up Workshops. They're the perfect opportunity to learn the essential facts of starting up on your own and how to complete your business plan.

To find out about events planned in your area and to book online visit events or call 0845 609 6611.

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Getting your Business Plan right

A business plan is a written document that describes a business, its objectives, its strategies, the market it `s in and its financial forecasts. It has many functions, from securing external funding to measuring success within your business.

But you shouldn't be daunted. The great thing about writing a business plan is you don't need to know everything before you start. It can grow and evolve, stimulating you to explore areas you may not previously have considered.

To help you get started, we've put together a guide to help ? businessplan

Business Information

Business Gateway can search for a wide range of business information resources on your behalf. We subscribe to an extensive list of commercial databases and are expert at sourcing free information from local and national government sources, industry bodies and commercial providers. We can also help you identify where to find important information to support your business plan.

The majority of our services are free and are available to you at any stage of development.

Market Research reports:

These provide information on market size, segmentation and trends in your sector. They let you understand current issues affecting your market as well as profiling the key players in your field and highlighting product developments.

Credit Checks:

Check the credit rating of potential suppliers and customers.

Premises Search:

Find your perfect commercial property at the right price and in the best location.

For the full range of the services we offer contact the Business Enquiry Service on 0845 609 6611 or email info@

Planning your Finance

Every new business needs money when starting up. Business Gateway can help you work out how to finance your business. Visit the Grants & Support directory on our website to find out about your options. This includes where to go for a loan and how to tap into other potential sources of finance, such as grants or external investment. Visit grants

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Your local Business Gateway

About the local office The local Business Gateway office provides support whatever stage you are at with starting your business. Even if you don't have a plan yet and just want to explore some ideas you can speak to us to discuss what support is right for you.

The office is based at The Enterprise Centre, Kilmory, Lochgilphead, PA31 8SH, telephone 01546 605 459 or email business.gateway@argyll-.uk. The office is open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm and provides advice and support to businesses and individuals who are resident within the council wards of Oban, Lorn and the Islands; Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay; Bute and Cowal. Businesses or individuals based within the Helensburgh and Lomond ward should contact the Helensburgh Business Gateway office on 01436 653 001.

Local business advisors Our team of experienced, professional business advisors are on hand to support you either by phone or face to face. Advisors are regularly available to meet in Oban, Dunoon, Lochgilphead, Campbeltown and on the Isles of Bute, Mull and Islay. Your advisor may also be able to meet you at your business premises. To speak to an advisor or arrange an appointment please call 01546 605 459.

Local business skills workshops We also run free local workshops specifically to help new businesses. Our 2 day business start-up workshop covers the key issues you need to consider when planning to start your business. We also provide workshops to help you build the skills to run your business successfully, including practical book-keeping, Self Assessment, online trading, and building a business website. To find out more about the content, dates and venues for these courses visit , or call the local office on 01546 605 459.

Local funding information Business Gateway is an advice service and does not directly provide funding but we do have a wide knowledge of the grant and loan funding available. We can signpost any relevant available sources of funding for your business, including Council grant schemes. To help you find funding for your business Argyll and Bute Council has a Grants and Funding section on their website, argyll-.uk, that you may find useful.

Local feedback "Business Gateway has been on hand right from the start, even when the business was no more than a pile of shells and ideas. As a business novice, it's reassuring to know that there is always someone at the end of the phone to offer advice," Lynne Girdwood Jewellery, Ardrishaig.

"Our Business Gateway advisor was very helpful to us. She helped us access funding and also recommended various courses and contacts which we found very useful," Argyll Smokery, Sandbank.

"Business Gateway helped me to focus my ideas for the marketing and overall vision for my new glass business and get me thinking more widely about how my business would operate. Business Gateway advisors provide a friendly and efficient service for people starting out in business," Frances Woodhead, Tiree Glass, Isle of Tiree.

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Business support from Argyll and Bute Council As well as providing Business Gateway support, Argyll and Bute Council can assist you in a variety of other ways when setting up your business. Listed below are services that may be of use. The local Business Gateway team can give you contact details for each department, relevant to your area.

Licensing and Regulations Find out if you need a licence for your business and how to apply. A list of the type of activities requiring a license and details of how to apply are available at argyll-.uk/all_licenses

Planning and Building Standards Advice and guidance on planning issues is available. Find out online if you need planning permission or a building warrant, make an application, find out about an application that has been made, or find out more about long term policies such as the Local Plan, all at argyll-.uk/ planning-and-environment/planning-and-building-standards

Non-Domestic Rates Your business may be eligible for a rates discount via the Small Business Bonus Scheme. You can find out online how much your business may have to pay at argyll-.uk/ business-and-trade/business-rates

Environmental Health The work undertaken by Environmental Health includes food safety, environmental protection, public health and housing, environmental health licensing animal health and welfare and occupational health and safety. Find out more at argyll-.uk/planning-and-environment/ environmental-health

Trading Standards Trading Standards help to maintain a fair and safe trading environment where local businesses and consumers can thrive. Trading standards is a regulatory service dealing with a wide range of Scottish, U.K and European legislation relating to the quality, quantity, price, description and safety of goods and services. Advice and information is available to help businesses within Argyll and Bute ensure compliance with this legislation.

Social Enterprise Specialist support is available through Argyll and Bute Council's Social Enterprise Team to help build the capacity of communities to support economic regeneration and deliver Council services.

Further information on any of the above can be found at argyll-.uk or by ringing 01546 602 127.

Other useful contacts

Business Gateway can refer you to a wide range of partner organisations to suit your needs, including the following:

HM Revenue and Customs Helpline for the newly self-employed. 0845 915 4515

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Innovators Counselling and Advisory Service for Scotland (iCASS) Free impartial and confidential advice on the protection, development and commercial exploitation of innovative ideas and inventions, originating in Scotland. icass.co.uk

HI-Arts HI-Arts is the arts and cultural development agency for the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Hi-Arts.co.uk

Healthy Working Lives Free occupational health and safety advice for businesses in Scotland, covering a range of health and safety issues. Free National Advice line 0800 019 2211

Skills Development Scotland Scotland's leading skills body, providing skills, training and funding advice. skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk

Argyll College Higher and further education service, with learning centres throughout Argyll and Bute. argyllcollege.ac.uk

Highlands and Islands Enterprise HIE work closely with ambitious businesses and social enterprises which have the potential to grow. .uk

Argyll and Bute Social Enterprise Network (ABSEN) An affiliation of a wide variety of social enterprises across Argyll and Bute. ABSEN members meet regularly to share good practice, offer peer support, develop trading links and explore new ways of strengthening the social economy in the region. .uk

Argyll Voluntary Action Offers advice and information to voluntary organisations in Argyll, including how to set up a voluntary group. 01631 564 839

Firstport Business advice, support and start-up awards to new and emerging social entrepreneurs across Scotland. 0131 220 0511 .uk

Co-operative Development Scotland Promote and facilitate the development of co-operative enterprises. cdscotland.co.uk

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What's the next step?

Start turning your plans into reality. Go to to complete your Start-Up Organiser and book a place at one

of our Business Start-Up Workshops.

We look forward to hearing from you.

0845 609 6611



Business Gateway services are delivered by Local Authorities, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Government, with the support of associated partner organisations. Maximum call charge from BT landline is 3p per minute. Call costs from other networks may vary. Text costs vary depending on your mobile operator.

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