Nurseries can tap into a variety of free business advice sources.
When it comes to tax matters, free information and support is available from HM Revenue and Customs at its Business Advice Open Days, which are tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized businesses. Last year over 10,000 people attended these national roadshows, featuring exhibitors such as Age Positive, Business Link, the Environment Agency, Health and Safety Executive, JobCentre Plus and HM Government. Another 14 events are planned between now and next March.
A trained advice team is on hand to provide information on a range of issues, including:
- Starting a business - meeting the challenges; managing the money;
- Forming and naming your business;
- Your workplace - choosing and setting up premises;
- Taxes, payrolls and returns; PAYE and National Insurance;
- Employing people;
- Managing your business.
Register for forthcoming events at www.businesslink.gov.uk/advicedays.
Advice on business rates
On the subject of valuations, members of the Forum of Private Businesses (FPB) are being given access to a free business rates appraisal service, amid fears that many will be forced to pay inflated rates bills for the next five years, according to a recent FPB survey.
Business properties are revalued every five years to ensure that rateable values reflect the changes in the property market. However, because the current revaluation is based on rent prices from April 2008 - before the recession and when property prices were high - small businesses are worried that they will end up with unfairly high rates bills.
'The 2010 revaluation, while not a revenue generating exercise, will affect most small businessses' rates bills,' says Matt Goodman, the FPB's policy representative. 'Our survey shows that business rates are ranked as more of a concern than utilities and staff costs, and most of the businesses surveyed feared the worst - that their rates will go up next April.'
The FPB wants to see the Government providing a fair system of transitional rate relief for small businesses, which will see an increase in their rateable value from 2010.
For information about its appraisal service call 0845 1301722. Free video advice on a range of topics for business owners and managers is available at www.smallbusinesschannel.co.uk
Meanwhile the NDNA is offering its members access to a free legal helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Solicitors and human resources specialists are on hand to provide advice on law applicable to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on a range of employment issues. Visit www.ndna.org.uk.
