byron started this topic @ 10:19 on 19/08/2007
Hi,
I am considering starting a video production company in my spare time - as a suck it and see venture - and Sole Trader would seem the way to go. However I would prefer not to use my home address on my stationery as:
1. I am worried about security. I don't want to broadcast where all my video equipment is stored.
2. I am currently living in a rented apartment and may move.
Is it legal to use a PO Box on all your stationery?
Thanks, Byron.
RE: Sole Trader and Business Address Query
Nick Dyer | 20/08/2007 01:33 PM
I'm not quite sure who James is referring to regarding the "must disclose" but as far as I was aware a sole trader is at liberty to use a PO box, virtual office or any designated address.
I may be wrong but I thought that Ltd Companies were required to include company registration details but ST's and Partnerships had much greater flexibility.
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Low Cost Debt Collection, Credit Control and Litigation
RE: RE: Sole Trader and Business Address Query
katcam | 20/08/2007 05:01 PM
You are free to use a PO Box address whether you are a sole trader or Ltd co. for your mail.
If you are a Ltd co., you MUST disclose your registered address on all stationary and on your website (which does NOT have to be your home address it can be your accountant's or lawyer's address for example). As a Ltd. co. it is illegal to use a PO Box address as your registered address. If you are a sole trader you have no regsitered address (you are not registered at Companies House and therefore not legally obliged the way a Ltd. co. is), so use whatever suits you.
If you are a Ltd. co. though there is absolautely no obligation on you to disclose your home address (of course your home address ends up with Companies House and will be available to the public if you are also your company's director or secretary). You are free to use a PO Box address for your mail although many people advise against this as PO Boxes can look a bit unprofessional. But it most certainly is not illegal to use a PO Box address for your correspondence.
One word of caution though, a PO Box number is not to be used as a cover. Any one dealing with your business can call up Royal Mail and obtain your name and home address. Royal Mail has to give out the details to any one that wants it.
Hope this is useful, if in doubt talk to a lawyer, accountant or your local Business Link/Enterprise Agency.
RE: Sole Trader and Business Address Query
TFGTV | 22/08/2007 06:26 PM
Having run professional video production Companies for over 20 years the first piece of advice I'll give you is not to get involved unless you are properly trained and qualified. And by that I mean you hold a LEGITIMATE qualification from a proper college. Not some half-assed one-week course some cowboy sold to you or worse still the sham 'qualfications' that a 'certain organisation offer' more or less for a cash fee...
You'll most likely loose your shirt otherwise. A great deal of my gear has come from people who have gambled and lost their redundancy money labouring under the illusion that video production is something any donkey can pick up!
There's a reason why it takes 4 1/2 years to qualify as a cameraman!
My first company, Clydeside TV, was started from the spare room of a Flat in Glasgow's Red Road. One of the roughest housing schemes in Britain! Security was an issue and STILL is.
It's just as bad, if not worse, if you have premises. At least if your kit's in the house you're close by it 75% of the time!
ven though I now live in a nice house in a twee rural village... The place is secured like Fort Knox! It HAS to be! CCTV, alarms steel door frames the lot.
The bottom line here is that you need to deal with the securitiy issue no matter where you are.
As for your flat being rented. Well, you may be in breech of your lease; you need to check this. Be careful too if you're buying equipment insurance and public liability insurance (which of course you'll need). Same with household cover.
However, what I CAN tell you is that there is little issue (other than with credibility) in using a PO box. You must also (if you assume a name for the company) show something to the effect that this is "Joe Bloggs" T/A XYZ company.... that can go in SMALLISH letters on the bottom of a page. There is also no reason why you can't show a UK address as simply the postcode and the house name/number.
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Matt Quinn.
www.tfgtv.com
Corporate Communication for SMALL Businesses!
RE: RE: Sole Trader and Business Address Query
alan_business | 23/08/2007 06:09 PM
Hello. With the same considerations in mind, I recently enquired about the possibility of getting a mail-box at my nearest MBE (Mail Boxes Etc). If you check, there might be one in your high street. Boxes are available for either personal or business use.
I was told that, to avoid using a Box Number in your business address, you can put something like "Office", "Studio", "Suite", etc in front of the box-number, and MBE's staff will know to place any mail with a particular number in the appropriate box. Apparently, you may access the box at any point, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can pick up a price-list and terms-and-conditions in any MBE.
You might like to consider this as an option.
A
RE: Sole Trader and Business Address Query
byron | 17/09/2007 06:57 PM
Thank you to everyone that replied to my question. I am going to go with a PO Box. Thanks again, Byron.
