Starting a business? Some expert advice could be just what you’re looking for. A basic guide to seeking business startup advice and support

Your new business might just depend on it

Every new business owner wants the best for their business


If you’re starting your own business, you want it to thrive. You want it to grow. You want more customers. And you want to make sure your bottom line stays healthy.

It’s only natural. That’s why, sometimes, it pays to seek expert business start up advice, support and guidance on a range of business issues that might affect you – especially if they are complex, or you’ve never experienced them before.


It will give your business the very best chance of succeeding.


We can’t all understand every aspect of sales, software, business finance, premises, people management and employment.


But there are lots of business advice and support services that can give you help starting a business and make it much easier for you. And that’s why we’ve developed this guide – to help you decide whether you or your new business could benefit from some expert help in starting a business.


After all, it could mean the difference between starting a successful business, or being one of the hundreds of thousands of companies that cease to trade each year.


Small businesses in the UK – the facts

There were an estimated 4.3 million business enterprises in the UK at the start of 2004, compared with around 4.0 million at the start of 2003.

Small to medium-sized enterprises were responsible for over half of the UK’s workforce (58.5%) in 2004.

Over half of the UK’s turnover (51.3%) also came from small to medium-sized enterprises.

Small enterprises alone (0 to 49 employees) accounted for 46.8% of employment and 37% of turnover.

Last year, only one in 5 business owners sought business startup advice from their customers, trade associations, or suppliers.

In 2004, just a third of business owners sought advice from other professional services such as banks and solicitors.

Government-funded business support such as Business Links in England were used by only 16% of businesses in 2004.

Fewer than 5% of businesses used local, regional and national government agencies for business start up advice in 1994.

During 2004, an estimated 181,400 companies registered for VAT and an estimated 179,400 companies de-registered – this is the best official guide to the pattern of business start-ups and closures for the year.