The growth hub for small and independent businesses
Comparing your energy standing charge to other suppliers should be part of your continual energy cost audit. If you know all the charging elements that make up your bill, you’re empowered to make informed decisions. In this article, we’ll cover all aspects of your standing charge, including what it stands for, how to interpret it and how to judge if it’s a fair rate levied on your monthly or quarterly bill.
25 Jan 2022
For many, the beginning of a new year is a time for setting goals and getting organised. To help, we’ve put together a list of important tax-related dates to keep in mind throughout the year. Be sure to prepare for them in advance to avoid any unnecessary penalties.
24 Jan 2022
Reducing energy consumption and costs in the workplace are hot topics amongst business owners and colleagues. Not just because of our green credentials, bills are also set to rise this year due to energy prices rising on international finance markets. Energy use has come into sharp focus lately as we’ve realised even minor adjustments can have a massive impact on lowering energy waste. Turning down the heating by one degree, turning off lights, using low energy bulbs, using dimmer switches, opening windows rather than relying on air conditioning are just some of the minor adjustments we can make that cause significant reductions. Today would be the ideal time to begin an energy audit for your business or in your place of work to see what cash and energy savings are possible.
19 Jan 2022
Starting a restaurant business isn’t for the faint-hearted or uncommitted. On paper, it looks easy - find the premises, give the place a fresh lick of paint (you can roll your sleeves up too) and get new flooring. Then buy a new cooking range, plates, pots, pans, utensils, cutlery and uniforms. Hire a mix of permanent and part-time staff, place a few local ads, create a buzz on social media, and voila! You’re good to go. If only it were that easy.
18 Jan 2022
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) tracks inflation – i.e. how much prices rise over time – on everyday products. In December 2021, the headline rate of inflation in the UK rose to 5.1%: the highest rate in a decade. What does this mean for businesses?
12 Jan 2022
Small Businesses are the lifeblood of many high streets. Our towns and cities would be ghost towns without our much-loved newsagents, salons and barbers, grocers, cafes, restaurants, bars and pubs. And on industrial estates dotted around the country, many services and small manufacturing firms provide the backbone for the country’s business community to thrive. Raising capital if you’re such a business owner can represent a challenge, but there are a few different ways you can access the funding you need.
5 Jan 2022
Gone are the days of having to go to your business bank for small business loans. As well as the usual high street institutions, there are many newer, more flexible lenders out there today who may be able to better facilitate your business finance needs.
4 Jan 2022
As we approach 2022, it's worth reflecting on the highs and lows of 2021 so we can begin making plans to start the New Year with our best foot forward. It’s been a long year, so to make the planning process a little easier we've put together a list of financial resolutions to consider for 2022.
16 Dec 2021
Before you begin your search for an SME loan for a specific project and commit to an application, you need to create a detailed project plan covering every crucial aspect of your business.
9 Dec 2021
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