Business Premises? Office? Shop? Industrial Unit? Serviced Offices? Warehouse Unit? Factory? Restaurant? Workshop? Or Start from Home?
Whether you choose to work from home or are looking to rent or buy a business premises, you may like to read our commercial property articles which cover the various options for small business or new business start ups. (We also have a section dedicated to working from home.)
A list of useful contacts in Harpenden who are keen to help you can be found below.
If so, your logo, company details and link to your site could be here!
If you are based in in Harpenden or offer a product or service which could help existing local businesses and start-ups, we would love you to help you reach them. Our aim is to increase the chances of every new business's success by highlighting the help that is available in the area.
You are able to add a free listing or act as our recommended local partner for only £10 per year!
We are happy to promote anyone who is prepared to offer friendly support to local start-ups.
Our local partners have been kind enough to help us and are keen to help you too.
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An interactive step-by-step guide which also includes all of the most important subjects covered with links to useful articles and relevant contacts.
The idea of starting your own business can be incredibly exciting and who can blame you for being tempted?
However, the sad truth is that far too many new enterprises fail in the early stages. Our aim is to make sure that you don't become one of them.
This guide explains the key start-up subjects in simple English and points to where you can find help and support.
More Information and instant download
Deciding where to run your business could be determined by the nature of your work, running a restaurant from home is probably not a good idea and a window cleaning business is unlikely to need swanky offices!
Working from home is definitely the cheapest option, but not always the best. You will need to ensure that you can separate home and work life. Will you be able to motivate yourself and concentrate, or possibly even moretempting—avoid the temptation to work all the time Advantages: Cost, convenience, easy to set up, the kettle is close by! Disadvantages: Domestic distractions, possibly lone working, holiday cover, the kettle is close by!
Top tip! Check to make sure that your lease/house deeds do not prevent you from operating from home. If required, obtain permission from your landlord or building society.
Starting in an office or workshop will involve higher set up costs than working from home but may be more appropriate particularly if you are planning to employ staff or if your customers come to you. There are important health &safety issues that you will need to be aware of if you are planning to work from any premises. The HSE (Health & Safety Executive) offer free explanatory leaflets at http://www.hse.gov.uk
A lease is a contractual agreement to rent a property. But do you rent or buy Your financial situation could decide this for you, but if you chose to lease/rent, think extremely carefully about the implications. Lord Forte is famously quoted as saying three most important considerations are LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! However, the better the location the higher the rent!
Take legal advice. You want security, but do you want the legal obligation and for how long Business success or failure may mean that you need smaller/larger premises in the future. Ask about a ‘break clause’ which could present an ‘escape route’ at a defined point.
Purchasing your property could prove to be an attractive long-term proposition. You will be giving yourself security of tenure, possibly an asset that will rise in value, and any repayments will be reducing your loan rather than simply paying rent to somebody else. You will need to use a solicitor to conduct the purchase, and definitely pay for a full structural survey.
With a license, the property owner is effectively saying “OK, you can occupy my property for a while, but I can interrupt at any time and ask you to leave.” The advantage to the owner is obvious, but it can also be a flexible and inexpensive way for a new start to move into premises. Licences are usually relatively short term.
Working from your garage or garden shed can appear amateur to prospective clients and lack the kudos of an official business address. But there is an alternative that will keep you sane without bankrupting your business before it’s even off the ground. Renting a desk in a shared office offers the best of both worlds. You’re still your own boss, but you’ll have the business support services, such as internet connection, a receptionist, meeting rooms and technical support, all available on site. You’ll have total autonomy, but feel like you are part of a community.
We are delighted to promote suitable businesses and organisations completely FREE of charge. Your coverage can contain: logo, company name, brief description, special offers, telephone number and link to your website.
There is plenty of help for startups in Harpenden but where can it be found?
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