Starting your own Business

National Advice and Help Agencies

Local Advice and Help Agencies

Business Link in the East of England - Web site containing over 5000 pages on a huge range of business topics including starting a business, finance and grants, employing people, IT, e-commerce and international trade.
Bedfordshire Rural Business Support. Free sign posting and referral service for all rural businesses and for people interested in setting up a rural business. The web site includes a directory of resources for local businesses plus a range of information sheets covering topics such as 'Premises', 'Grants and Funding', Energy' etc.
The Chamber. Provides a directory of members, information on business start ups, business training, export information and help with IT.
Princes Trust. Help for young people between the ages of 18 and 30 to set up their own business.
shuttleworthbusiness.A new enterprise centre to encourage small and fledgling businesses in the North and Mid Bedfordshire area.

Advice and Help Guides in Bedford Central Library

Business Opportunity Profiles. Practical information to help you research setting up your own business. The profiles cover about 450 types of business and each profile includes details of the market, start-up costs and legal requirements as well as useful addresses and further reading.
Business Information Factsheets. 400 factsheets, guides and checklists to help answer the most common business questions.

For information about the local availability of British Standards and other information see A-Z How to Find Information: British Standards.

Gateway - useful list of business websites covering many aspects of business including exporting and importing

General:

Gateway (Law and Your Rights) - useful list of general law web sites covering all aspects of UK legislation
Gateway (Business) - useful list of business websites covering many aspects of business legislation such as copyright and health and safety
Business information at Bedford Central Library - guide to the resources in Bedford Central Library including business law

Employment Law:

European Union:

Gateway (European Union) - useful list of websites covering all aspects of European Union law

Food Safety and Standards:

Online magazines and journals and online newspapers for up to date business information. These services is provided by Bedfordshire Libraries, all you need is your library card number and PIN.
Gateway (Business) - useful links to market research web sites and more

Page last updated: 8th April 2008