We know that starting your own business is an exciting time, and that you’re likely to have lots of questions relating to funding, customers, suppliers, legal matters, premises and much more.
We’re here to help businesses in and around York with signposting to initial start up advice. You’ll find useful links and suggestions below for setting up a business, and we can introduce you to local experts when you need specialist guidance.
- Useful links and support
- Momentic
- Writing a business plan
- Market research
- Start up funding
- Legal checklist
- Location, premises and property
Useful links and support
Here are some useful links and support for setting up a business.
Business Support Service
You can contact the government’s Business Support Service for free help and advice for small businesses of all stages to find the right support and impartial advice, whether you're just starting out or growing your venture.
They can provide tailored guidance and information on schemes and publicly funded business support programmes available in your area and across England. Delivered on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.
- Email: enquiries@businesssupportservice.co.uk
- Telephone: 0800 998 1098, Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 6.00pm
Momentic
Momentic Limited is delivering the Start and Grow York programme, funding by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Momentic is an enterprise development organisation that has been dedicated to delivering self-employment support, business advice, coaching and growth solutions for the last 25 years.
The Start and Grow York programme offers mentoring and support for your business, whether it’s the seed of an idea, a young company, or a fully fledged business. From self-employment readiness assessments and initial diagnostics, to support with marketing, business planning, tax and finance matters, social media and web design, masterclasses, tailored 1-2-1 support, engagement sessions and ongoing support once trading, they're ready to help you.
For more information email: york@momentic.co.uk.
Writing a business plan
Your first step is to research and write a business plan. A good business plan keeps it simple. You can find templates and further guidance on GOV.UK.
You need a business plan if you are looking to secure any funding to support your start up. Even if you don’t require funding, a business plan is an essential working document to go back to and reflect upon once you have started trading.
Use your plan to:
- set objectives, and show how and when you will measure your performance against those objectives
- consider the steps you need to take to develop your business and what barriers might get in the way
- think about the potential risks and how you will manage those; do you have a Plan B?
Market research
This is the first step to focus on when developing your business plan. Think about the information that you need and the best way to collect it.
Market research helps you identify your target customers. Does your product or service fulfil their needs in a volume that enables you to operate a business? Compare your proposition to what already exists in the marketplace.
See further information about market analysis and research on the Yorkshire Power House website.
Start up funding
There are different funding options to consider for your business, depending on your circumstances. Here are some suggestions to help you find out more about what support you can access and what might be right for you:
Start up loans
Government-backed start up Loans of £500-£25,000 are available to start or grow your business. Unlike a business loan, this is an unsecured personal loan. Free support and guidance is available to help write your business plan, and successful applicants can get up to 12 months of free mentoring.
Find out more about eligibility, fees and repayment and how to apply.
Prince's Trust
The Prince’s Trust works with 18 to 30-year-olds living in the UK, including support for start ups.
Find out more about starting a business as a young person on the Princes Trust website.
Legal checklist
It’s important to know your legal requirements from the beginning of your business journey. Seeking guidance from relevant professional services organisations will help you establish your business in the right way from the start. There may be legal requirements that are necessary to start your business. You can find more information about some of these areas below.
Business structure
One of the first questions you need to answer is the legal ownership structure of your business. Will you set the business up as a self-employed individual, limited company or partnership with others? Whatever structure you decide upon, be sure to obtain confirmation this is the right structure for you and any others connected with the business.
Discuss your plans with an accountant on so you are aware of your legal responsibilities to HMRC in terms of tax and VAT.
Leases and contracts
It is advisable to seek legal support when entering into any lease to ensure that the terms and conditions you are signing up to are appropriate for your needs.
Most leases will generally require a minimum three months’ rent up front along with a bond. Many leases will provide you with an option to exit the lease part way through the term, known as a break clause. Consider asking your landlord to agree to one if it isn’t in your lease already.
Public protection
City of York Council Public Protection team works in partnership with local businesses, offering a wide range of advisory and regulatory based services to enable them to reach their full potential. Find out more in the Better Business for All brochure or contact the Public Protection Team on email: public.protection@york.gov.uk.
Food safety standards
City of York Council provides guidance on food safety standards when starting a food business, from food hygiene and handling to suitable premises and registering your business. See further information about starting a new food business.
Property classifications
Depending on the property that you are interested in, you may have to apply to City of York Council for change of use to enable you to trade. See further planning application forms and guidance.
You can use the Planning Portal to check that the existing classification of the property matches what you intend to do.
We recommend that you always seek legal advice prior to entering into any agreement on a property that requires you to seek change of use permission.
Commercial planning permission
See information on all aspects of the planning process, including when to apply, pre-application advice and guidance for completing a commercial planning application form.
Location, premises and property
Depending on the nature of your business, you may need premises. It’s worth thinking through at this stage why you might need them and how will you use them to help you find the best solution for your needs.
Office or shared space: do you need your own office or can you take a desk in a shared space? If you only require space for a few hours per week then you could look at co-working or hot-desk spaces.
Working from home: if you could work from home but would like a professional address then you could take on a virtual office space (remember to amend your home insurance to take into account the fact you are also using it as a place of work).
Commercial premises: if you are looking for retail or commercial premises there are a number of factors to consider, such as footfall if you rely on passing trade, transport links for deliveries and what your budget is. You will also need to take into account the rateable value of the premises: if it is above £12,000 then you will be liable for business rates. Find out more about business rates on GOV.UK.