in England
There are two overlapping systems for information and advice on setting up your own business. One is the Small Business Gateway provided by independent Enterprise Agencies; this concentrates on the needs of firms that employ (or are likely to employ) less than 10 people. So it should probably be your first port of call if you just want to be self employed. The other is Business Link, provided by the Small Business Service, a government supported agency that provides a wide-ranging service for small firms, including support for well-established firms with many more than 10 employees.
Small Business Gateway
www.smallbusinessadvice.org.uk
Provides a direct link through its website to 140 Enterprise Agencies in England that provide advice for people starting up in business or running businesses with less than 10 employees. The Agencies support 200 Accredited Business Advisers. If you register on the website, giving your postcode and email address, your request for help will be routed to a suitable local Accredited Business Adviser who will reply by email within two working days. If your enquiry is complex you can ask for a meeting with the Adviser for detailed discussion.
Business Link
Tel:0845 600 9006 (Voice) 0845 606 2660(Text)
A government supported organisation linked to a network of 46 local advice centres for small businesses throughout England. Each local advice centre can put you in touch with experienced business consultants to help you work out whether to set up a business and, if you do, support you through each stage of the start up process. In addition the website contains information on a range of issues relevant to small firms and about other useful organisations.
To get the contact details for your local advice centre telephone Business Link or look at the website.
in Wales
Business Connect Wales plays a similar role in Wales to that of Business Link in England.
To locate your nearest advice centre:
Tel: 08457 96 97 98 (Voice)
Email:executive@businessconnect.org.uk
in Scotland
12 Scottish Enterprise Companies provide advice and support for small business including self-employment through a network of local advice centres in the Lowlands and central Scotland, and another 10 Enterprise Companies provide similar advice and support in the Highlands and Islands.
To find your nearest advice centre in central/south Scotland
Tel:0845 609 6611(Voice)
or go to www.sbgateway.com
To find your nearest centre in the Highlands and Islands
Tel: 01463 234171 (Voice) 01463 244469 (Fax)
or go to www.hie.co.uk
in Northern Ireland
LEDU is the Small Business Agency for Northern Ireland. It maintains contact with many local enterprise agencies in the 5 Regions of the province. There is a special Business Start Programme partly funded by the EU to encourage self-employment in Northern Ireland.
To find your nearest advice centre:
Tel: 0800 092 5529 (Voice)
Email: ledu@ledu-ni.gov.uk
in all countries in the UK
If you have been unemployed for at least 6 months and are aged between 18-24 or over 50, you may be able to get special help available for self-employment through the New Deal.
For help available through the New Deal contact your DEA or
Tel:0845 606 2626 (Voice) 0845 606 0600 (Text)
or go to www.newdeal.gov.uk
or click on www.businessconnect.org.uk and press "regional centres".
or go to www.ledu-ni.gov.uk and choose your region
in Northern Ireland
Tel:0800 35 35 30 (Voice) 02890 252363 (Text)