Business Support and Advice
Whether you are an existing business or seeking to start one in Barnet, you will find much of the information and help you need from the organisations listed below:
- General advice and support
- Starting up
- Premises
- Support for young people
- Support for disabled business owners
- Other business support sources and coping with recession.
General advice and support
- Business Link provides a national web based first point for free access to business information and support.
- North London Business is the local inward investment agency and provides support to companies wishing to relocate in north London. A free service offering business start up advice for export is also available at the Enterprise hub based at Barnet College in Chipping Barnet
- Greater London Enterprise (GLE).provides a range of support from masterclass training events to trade missons abroad.
- The Prince's Trust provides useful guides on starting a business
Starting up
- In London, the British Library near Kings Cross provides pre-start up businesses support specialising in patenting and intellectual property.
- The Small Business Centre provides information on getting into business and also loan funds under its 'Gateway to Finance' programme.
- Franchises provide a way for individuals to start their own businesses with the backing of an established brand and business process. The UK franchise directory holds a wide range of franchise opportunities in many categories of business.
- For practical hands-on support, ABI offers a range of low cost services including “hot desking” to entrepreneurs, home workers, new businesses and trades people. ABI also provides commercial kitchen facilities for small and first time food operators wishing to enter the catering sector.
- Flying Start is geared up to support graduates, up to five years after graduation, realise their ambitions and support new businesses.
Premises
Whether you’re looking for a shop, office, industrial unit or even a site to run your business, North London Business provides a free online service to find you commercial/industrial properties in north London. There are normally around 800 properties available at any time.
If you looking for to rent or buy Barnet Council owned commercial properties visit the Barnet Commercial property page.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are work-based training schemes designed around the needs of employers, which lead to national recognised qualifications. You can use apprenticeships to train both new and existing employees.
There are nearly 200 different types of ; the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) provides further information, and can help with funding apprenticies and help you make your business more effective and competitive
Support for young people
If you are a Young Person (between 16 – 30 years), the Prince’s Trust could to help you get a job or set up in business with a low interest loan and mentor support. Similarly, Shell Livewire gives free help and provides an online community for young entrepreneurs who are starting or running their own business. There is a Grand Ideas Awards offer up to £1,000 prizes each month and an annual £10,000 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The site also has a discussion forum to exchange ideas and trade with other members.
Support for disabled business owners
Enabled4Growth, helps businesses led by disabled people in London, survive difficult trading conditions, improve their financial health, prepare for and achieve business expansion. Enabled4Growth is funded by Leonard Cheshire Disability & the European Regional Development Fund, and offers free business support and advice to disabled business owners, and can match businesses with an experienced Business Advisor, as well as providing several hours of free advice and support. Enabled4growth also run a number of special workshops
aimed at disabled business owners.
Other business support sources and coping with recession
Many trade bodies also provide help and support to their members. Organisations such as the Federation of Small Businesses seek to protect and promote interests of the self–employed and small businesses.
The Centre for Fashion Enterprise is London's pioneering business incubator that supports and nurtures emerging fashion design talent.
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the Government department which encourages foreign direct investment and helps UK-based companies to export elsewhere.
If you have worries of keeping or losing your job or business, then the Citizen’s Advice Bureau can help you understand your rights and responsibilities.
Email this pageLast modified by: Ellie Wright on 09/01/2012