Sources of support

Council

• Business support from Trading Standards
• COBRA (the Complete Business Reference Adviser – free to Richmond Library members).
• Conference facilities
• Go Green business: Advises on good environmental practices.
• New food businesses
• Under-age sales
• Richmond Retail and Business Alliance

Funding sources

• Could your business use some extra funds?
• Search for funding for social enterprise, voluntary and community organisations
• Civic Pride Fund

Local support and advice

• A list of town centre management boards and associations
• Greater London Enterprise (GLE) Owned by the 33 London boroughs and provides a wide range of business services.
• Richmond Chamber of Commerce: A membership organisation providing business support, training and networking opportunities to local businesses.
• South London Biz: Provide support for those starting up in business or have been trading for a year or so.
• South London Business: Promotes investment and business development throughout South London.
• West London Business: Promotes investment and business development throughout West London.
• The Best of Richmond: A local business network and directory for the Richmond area.
• Start Up Britain - essential advice and resources for those thinking of starting or growing a business
• Richmond Social Enterprise Partnership promotes the emergence and growth of social enterprise. Business support partners include ROCBaSE, Social Enterprise Richmond and Richmond Council for Voluntary Service, all of whom provide support and advice.

GOV.UK

GOV.UK is a new government portal that offers free, impartial information, advice and step-by-steps guides to help businesses to start up, improve or grow. It covers all you need to know about regulations, finance and support available.

• Starting up – a step-by-step guide on starting a business.
• Licence finder - find our what kind of licence you need.
• Networking events and training directory - you can search for an event or training session near you.
• Employing people – this also covers payroll information.
• Taxes and returns - includes VAT and debt information.
• More information about setting up a business

Other national organisations

• Companies House: Incorporates and dissolves limited companies; examines and stores company information delivered under the Companies Act and related legislation, and makes this information available to the public.
• Envirowise - Practical environmental advice for business.
• Department of Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR): Invests over £400m annually through grants, loans and subsidised consultancy.
• Skills Funding Agency: Provides training and workforce development.