Advice for business start-ups
Starting your own business is exciting and rewarding. It can also be a frightening prospect and will be a lot of hard work! Thankfully, Marlborough Chamber of Commerce is here to help.
Our members offer a wealth of expertise – and often offer discounts to fellow Chamber members. Joining the Chamber also allows you to access a host of networking and training opportunities.
If you are thinking of starting out in business, or have recently begun trading, you might find the following local directory useful.
First stop...
Before you do anything else, check out the Business Link website. Business Link offers free and impartial advice and many of the questions you will have are answered on their website, at www.businesslink.gov.uk
You can also contact Wiltshire Business Link for face-to-face help.
The next bit...
You'll need some cash behind you, so speak to a business banking manager like Debbie Cooper at Lloyds TSB in HIgh Street, Marlborough. You should also engage an accountant. Nigel Gamage at David Owen Chartered Accountants in High Street is a good bet.
Seeking legal advice is a good idea, especially if you intend to enter into a partnership or corporate arrangement or you are thinking of buying or renting a property. Speak to Rob Collins at Withy King solicitors, Ailesbury Court, High Street.
If you want to buy or rent an office, many of the town's estate agents will be happy to help and advise you. An impartial one-stop-shop can be found at Property Pilot, a joint initiative between Wiltshire County Council, the district councils and the Wiltshire Economic Partnership.
Need staff? Trish Edwards at Chequers Personnel in High Street, Marlborough can help.
And finally...
It's time to let people know about your business. Peter Davison at Secret Agent Marketing can manage launch promotions and press coverage.
Peter Berridge at Wessex Print Centre in Marlborough and Pewsey will handle your stationery needs – everything from business cards and headed note paper to flyers, posters and promotional items.
Need a website? We recommend Chantal Bourgonge at C for Design in Burbage, Tim and Nicola Ashton at Mole Productions in Hughenden Yard, Marlborough and Martin Houlden at South in High Street, Marlborough.
Must we recommend that you join Marlborough & District Chamber of Commerce? We are the voice of business in Marlborough, campaigning on your behalf either individually or, when we need to roll in the big guns, as part of the Kennet Economic Partnership and Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce. We also organise a host of networking events, including our ever-popular monthly business breakfast.
By joining the Chamber you automatically become part of the Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce. However, you can buy associate membership, which automatically makes you a member of each of the 16 Chambers and business groups – adding you to their mailing lists, entitling you to attend their events and more.
This is particularly useful if the boundary of your business expands out of Marlborough and district. Membership of the Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce gives you a voice at county, regional and national level, access to discounted training opportunities, an excellent benefits and discounts package and numerous networking events.