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Starting Out and Tips for those in business 1

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There are many agencies and organisations which can help your business. This list is not exhaustive, but may help you to expand your network or develop new contacts. If you need help finding an organisation that may be able to help, contact paul.beattie@limavady.gov.uk for more information. Limavady Borough Council is not responsible for the content of external links; please contact us should you find any dead links on this page.

 

General list of schemes can be found here, under the Assistance to Business section of the DETI website.

Enterprise Northern Ireland Loan Fund

A leaflet on this fund is included on the right hand side of this page. For more information you can also click here.

 

Invest Northern Ireland's Short Term Aid Scheme

Businesses in Northern Ireland face significant challenges in the current economic climate. Many are experiencing difficulties in securing the viability of their businesses. To help alleviate these pressures, Invest NI launched a £15 million Short Term Aid Scheme to provide eligible businesses with financial assistance to enable the retention of key staff while businesses plan, and where necessary, restructure for the future so they are ready to take advantage of the upturn. The Short Term Aid Scheme is available to eligible businesses from 1 June 2009 until 31 December 2010. For more on eligibility, click through to here

 

Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs

New Employer Helpline

Expert advice for new employers on:
- PAYE and National Insurance contributions
- Statutory Sick Pay, Maternity and Paternity Pay
- stakeholder pensions, student loan repayments and the Construction Industry Scheme

Please have your employer reference number with you when you phone

Opening hours

8.00 am to 8.00 pm, Monday to Friday
8.00 am to 4.00 pm Saturday
Closed Sundays, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day

0845 60 70 143

For customers who are deaf or hearing or speech impaired:

0845 602 1380 (Textphone)

Employer Helpline

Expert advice for employers on:
- PAYE and National Insurance contributions
- Statutory Sick Pay, Adoption, Maternity, Paternity and Additional Paternity Pay
- stakeholder pensions, student loan repayments and the Construction Industry Scheme
Please have your employer reference number with you when you phone

Opening hours

8.00 am to 8.00 pm, Monday to Friday
8.00 am to 4.00 pm Saturday
Closed Sundays, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day

08457 143 143

For customers who are deaf or hearing or speech impaired:

0845 602 1380 (Textphone)

Income tax enquiries for individuals, pensioners and employees

Check our website

Tax refunds and reclaiming overpaid tax

Find out how to claim a refund if you think you've paid too much tax on your employment or pension income

Tax codes

Understanding tax codes and your PAYE Coding Notice, emergency tax, underpayments, what to do if your tax code is wrong

Telephone

Taxes Helpline

Please have your National Insurance number with you when you phone

Opening hours

8.00 am to 8.00 pm, Monday to Friday
8.00 am to 4.00 pm Saturday

0845 300 0627

For customers who are deaf or hearing or speech impaired:

0845 302 1408 (Textphone)

A textphone allows you to type what you want to say rather than speaking into a mouthpiece. You can use a textphone instead of a voice telephone if you are deaf or have problems with your speech. It is not possible to speak to an adviser by phoning a textphone number.

If you're calling from abroad please telephone:

+44 135 535 9022

Self Assessment

Help and advice for customers completing their tax return and supplementary pages, or who need general advice about Self Assessment
Please have your Unique Taxpayer Reference number with you when you phone

Opening hours

8.00 am to 8.00 pm, Monday to Friday
8.00 am to 4.00 pm Saturday
Closed Sundays, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day

0845 900 0444

If you're calling from abroad please telephone:

+44 161 931 9070

 

Workspace and Business Accommodation

Details of value-for-money workspace, from both private sector and community based providers is available here. This link includes contact numbers for two enterprise centres in the Limavady area. If you are thinking of starting your own business, these are good places to start!

 

Start up and Growth Programmes through your Local Enterprise Agency

Two enterprise development programmes have been launched to help business startups and those which are aiming to grow. The programmes include the Go For It Programme, targeting individuals who are considering starting a business; and the Growth Programme, for small local companies with the ability to grow and develop eventually as exporters. Both programmes have their own websites which can found by following the links within this paragraph.

Programmes from the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL)

As an employer in the area, one of your first ports of call should be with the Employer Contract Managers. They provide a comprehensive no cost, quality employment service. They also have a knowledge of the Department's programmes and services. To contact the ECMs for the Limavady area - Bridgeen and Karen - call 02871276949.

There is a list of current programmes available from the Department here

These include programmes related to apprenticeships, Bridge to Employment, Business Improvement, disability advisory service, essential skills, graduates, Investors In People, Management Analysis, Leadership, Redundancy and others.

DEL provides a huge range of assistance - it is always worthwhile checking their website for new initiatives.

Health & Safety Works NI - a free and confidential government service

HWSNI is a free and confidential government service set up specifically to help small businesses manage workplace health and safety, understand their legal duties and improve overall business performance. You can contact them by calling 028 9040 8007, email to hswni@detini.gov.uk or by visiting their website at www.healthandsafetyworksni.gov.uk

The Prince's Trust - business start assistance for young people

Around one in five young people in Northern Ireland are not in work, education or training. This year Prince's Trust Northern Ireland will support 3,000 young people to get their lives working. If you are aged 18-30, unemployed or working part-time, and want to start a business, then the Prince's Trust may be for you. Locally, you can reach the Prince's Trust on 028 71276486, visit their website here, or email them directly at webinfoni@princes-trust.org.uk

The Trust has a new Enterprise Programme, aimed at supporting young people by more than just finance, and will look at a four stage development plan for participants, delivering information, planning, and mentoring. Contact above for more information, and the documents section of this page has a handout on the four stages of the Enterprise Programme.

Advantage NI - business help for young people

Advantage specialises in economic development and entrepreneurship for young people. They work with clients in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors and apply our expertise to promote starting a business as a realistic and viable career option to young people aged 16-30.

They have designed and delivered a variety of enterprise awareness and training programmes for public, private and voluntary sector organisations both nationally and internationally and pride themselves on a creative, innovative and cost-effective approach. You can find out more about Advantage here. You may also be interested in the 2009 Business Boot Camp!

Microtrade - Building All-Island Connections for Small Businesses

MicroTrade is a programme that helps small businesses build contacts, markets and partnerships across the island of Ireland. The programme is an initiative of the County & City Enterprise Boards of the Republic of Ireland, Enterprise Northern Ireland and InterTradeIreland. It offers a range of supports including networking events, funding and training. The main Microtrade website can be found here, or telephone 028 3083 4100

B4B - Business for Business

B4B provides unrivalled opportunities for networking whether you are a start-up or established business. Networking events are held monthly at different locations across the province with key speakers presenting the latest business issues that affect SMEs. B4B events offer a structured networking environment for individuals, organisations and companies wishing to seek out and create business opportunities in an open and relaxed environment. With membership constantly increasing, B4B welcomes those in business or thinking of starting. You can find a schedule of events and more about the B4B network here.

Labour Relations Agency

The Labour Relations Agency has responsibility for promoting the improvement of employment relations in Northern Ireland. The Agency provides an impartial and confidential employment relations service to those engaged in industry, commerce and the public services. Services include the provision of advice on good employment practices and assistance with employment policies and procedures. It is also active in resolving disputes through its conciliation, mediation and arbitration services. More information on the Labour Relations Agency can be found here.

Women in Enterprise

WIE provides networking opportunities in the North West area and collaborates with other business women’s networks across Northern Ireland to provide joint networking events. WIE also maintains a line of communication with members providing regular updates on networking events, training opportunities and other relevant business news. The coordinator for the North West is Toni Forrestor and she can be contacted by calling 028 7136 6967