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

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.