There are lots of ways that you can get help with setting up or developing your own business. We've grouped together some of the most useful sites on the internet to make it easier for you to find the right information.

If you know of any other useful websites that you think we should be listing please email us with the details.

Business Support, Information & Finance Organisations   - Back to top

Where can I find out more information about Wigan as a business location?

Please visit www.move2wigan.com which has been designed to give you as much information as possible on Wigan as a business location and place to live.

Will you be able to help me find suitable premises?

Property Finder Service

The Property Finder Service aims to make the identification of suitable premises in the borough as simple as possible. If your business is considering relocation into or expansion within the borough, the Property Finder Service can help you to find the most suitable premises using the property database. The database is regularly updated by our dedicated Inward Investment Officer and holds details of available industrial and commercial units and land within the borough.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I search for a property?

You can carry out your own on-line search at www.move2wigan.com or we can do it for you by contacting the Economic Development Team on 01942 828991 or e-mail w.coyle@wigan.gov.uk

Wigan Council
www.wiganmbc.gov.uk

Wigan Council's website provides details of the services and activities provided by Wigan Council and key partners.

Wigan Council's Worklessness Micro site - www.wigan.gov.uk/r/worklessness - These web pages provide information on the Worklessness Strategy for Wigan and the work that has been commissioned by the Council to date to try and reduce the levels of worklessness in the borough.

www.wlct.org/yourchoice -

A range of sport, dance and fitness sessions on offer across Wigan borough. Ideal for unwinding after a hard day in work.

Local Business Enterprise

'Local businesses are still at the heart of the community. People like the convenience of buying goods and services close to where they live, and it's good for the environment too! Our experts created the LocalBusinessEnterprise website to bring together the resources you need to maintain and grow your business in its local community'

www.localbusinessenterprise.co.uk/home.htm

Miss Victoria Ball

Legal Education Coordinator

Manchester Law Society, 64 Bridge Street, Manchester, M3 3BN, DX 14387 Manchester 1
Main office tel: 0161 831 7337

Direct Dial - 0161 241 7478

www.manchesterlawsociety.org.uk

Insurance for Business

http://www.insurance4business.org.uk

Advantage Business Angels
www.advantagebusinessangels.com
Operating throughout W Midlands and all areas of the UK, Advantage Business Angels offers help to small to medium enterprises to find funding through business angels.

Bank of Scotland-Women in Business
www.bankofscotlandbusiness.co.uk/womeninbusiness
Knowing where to look and what to look for when starting a business needn't be a chore. Bank of Scotland's Women in Business web pages provide top tips, guides to starting a business, research extracts, useful links and free downloads of the "Big Fish" magazine for women in business.

Barclays
http://www.barclays.co.uk/business/
Online business tools and support for new businesses.

British Business Angels Association
http://www.bbaa.org.uk/
NBAN brings together investors with commercial experience and companies looking for development capital.

British Venture Capital Association
www.bvca.co.uk
The BVCA represents most major sources of venture capital in the UK.

Business Link
www.businesslink.org
Business Link is the national business advice service. Use this site to get straightforward information for your business.

Community Development Finance Association
www.cdfa.org.uk
the CDFA can put you in touch with local providers of loans for a small business and social enterprises.

HSBC Bank plc
www.hsbc.com
HSBC is the world's second largest bank and offers the complete banking package for both individuals and businesses alike. We recognise the desire of business owners to have relationship managers with business expertise and the authority to take decisions based in their local branches. With this, HSBC works with a number of women's organisations to provide support and advice to female business owners.

j4b
www.j4b.co.uk
The site allows quick and simple searches of a regularly updated database of business grants and loans.

NatWest
www.natwest.co.uk/businessedge
The site offers a range of guides and software including Marketing, Finance and Basic Management.

Regional Development Agencies
www.dti.gov.uk/regions/rdapage.htm
RDAs aim to co-ordinate regional economic development and regeneration. They mediate associated Government and EU funds and grants. Links to local RDAs are given on the DTI site.

Royal Bank of Scotland
www.rbs-small-business.co.uk
Business plan software on cdrom as well as online advice on types of businesses, people and premises and necessary basics.

Shell Livewire
www.shell-livewire.org
Shell Livewire is a UK wide competition for owner-managers aged between 16 and 30. If you've been in business between 3 and 18 months its worth having a look at the website to find out about heats in your region and at national level.

Startups.co.uk
www.startups.co.uk
Provides independent news, advice and guidance free of charge for anyone starting or running a small business. It also includes a host of startup and buyer guides, full directory listings and an interactive forum.

The Real Deal
http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/R/realdeal/
A lively, fun site providing information, help and advice to anyone wanting to start a business or with a great business idea.

Trade Partners UK
www.tradeuk.com
Comprehensive online directory of UK products and services which is very useful when sourcing suppliers.

UK Business Incubation
www.ukbi.co.uk
Information on all aspects of business incubation.

Government Agencies & Statutory Information   - Back to top

ACAS (Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service)
www.acas.org.uk
ACAS offers advice on almost all employment matters and operates a nationwide network of enquiry points. The service is available free of charge to any individual or organisation.

Companies House
www.companies-house.gov.uk
This is where to go to get official advice on Company formation. The 'Free Business Information' section of the site gives a full listing of company names so you can make sure yours is original and it also has a list of disqualified directors.

Customs & Excise
www.hmce.gov.uk
The "Information for Business" section contains useful contact addresses, publications and advice on VAT and the euro.

Data Protection Registrar
www.dataprotection.gov.uk
This is where to find out what your responsibilities are under the 1998 Data Protection Act which is essential reading for small business owners.

Electronic Yellow Pages
www.yellowpages.com
Details of more than 1.6 million UK companies.

Health and Safety Executive
www.hse.gov.uk
Factsheets can be downloaded free on all aspects of health and safety. You may find 'Health and Safety in Small Firms' particularly useful.

Inland Revenue
www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk
Everything you need to know about tax and national insurance.

Office of Fair Trading
www.oft.gov.uk
The OFT enforces UK competition policy and protects the economic welfare of consumers. Essential reading to make sure your business stays within the rules.

Patent Office
www.patent.gov.uk
Information about patents and design law.

Small Business Service
www.sbs.gov.uk
The SBS is an agency of the Department of Trade and Industry. Useful information on all aspects of small business and links to relevant organisations including Regional Development Agencies.

Internet & IT   - Back to top

Netnames
www.netnames.co.uk
You can search this site to find out if the domain name you want is still available. If your perfect name has already been taken you can find out who got there first.

Women in Business   - Back to top

Everywoman Ltd
www.everywoman.co.uk
Information, resources and advice available for women in business; includes bulletin boards for sharing experiences and articles to help you with your business.

Mumpreneurs
www.mumpreneurs.com
Mumpreneurs.com provides support and ideas and inspiration for women who combine running their own business with motherhood.

WiRE
www.wireuk.org
One stop shop for rural women business owners with up to date information, advice and research.

Women at Work UK Directory of Women in Business
www.womenatwork.co.uk
Women at Work is an online directory of services offered by women in business. The women listed in our directory are all self-employed freelancers, consultants, home workers, tradeswomen or running small businesses.

Wigan Children’s Information Service - Surestart
www.wlct.org/cis

For all childcare facilities throughout the Wigan Borough

Bolton Business Ventures
www.bbvonline.net

PROWESS – (Supporting Women’s Enterprise Support)
www.prowess.org.uk

Wigan & Leigh College – Adult Education
www.wigan-leigh.ac.uk

Surestart -

www.surestart.gov.uk

www.wiganmbc.gov.uk/pub/educ/earlyyears

Sure Start is the government programme to deliver the best start in life for every child. We bring together, early education, childcare, health and family support.

Childcare Options Limited -

www.vouchers4kids.com

North West Company providing childcare vouchers to employers.

Salford University Manchester

Salford University offers a wide range of opportunities for women start ups or existing women owned businesses. Use the links below to access information.

Acoustics laboratory project – Manager Geoff Kerry 

http://www.acoustics.salford.ac.uk/enterprise/calibration_laboratory/index.htm

Ember (passport to trade) – Manager Dr. Jane Silver 

http://www.ae.salford.ac.uk/aei/pages/portfolio_detail.php?recordID=28

Freeflow project – Manager Dr Sheila Whiteley 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2006/06/02/020606_freeflow_feature.shtml

http://www.freeflowuk.com/

E-procurement project – Manager Will Foster

http://www.gmp.ac.uk/projects/GMP215

Details of our business creation unit and the Masters of Enterprise – Nigel Mellors

http://www.salford.ac.uk/news/details/246

Wise project – Manager Claire Maclean

 http://www.wise4women.co.uk/benefits.php

CSE Project – Manager Dr Haifa Takruri-Rizk 

http://www.cse.salford.ac.uk/wewin/links.php

MARKETING MINEFIELD

Marketing Minefield is a free resource offering tips, ideas, strategies and advice on almost all types of marketing and advertising.

http://www.marketingminefield.co.uk

Disclaimer 

The links provided on this website are for information only and Wigan Metropolitan Company Ltd accept no responsibility for the the links advertised on this page. Please ensure all sites you access are secured sites only.