How to Research -  Starting a Business

General Guides

• The Business section can be found on Level 3 of Croydon Central Library.
• Information on: Starting up your business is shelved at 658.022
• Preparing a business plan is shelved at 658.4012
• Business letter writing is shelved at 651.75 and 651.7

There are a number of useful leaflets about starting up and most of these are available on the IBC shelves and leaflet spinners near the lift. These include information about local and national bodies that provide help and advice for potential or new businesses.

Please ask at the desk if you cannot find the information you require.

For concise, regularly updated information on all aspects of running a business, try Business Information Factsheets which are held in a folder at the desk. There are a number of factsheets dedicated to pre-start - refer to category list filed at the beginning of the folder. Each sheet summarises the major points of the topic, gives useful tips, sources of further information and useful addresses.

Raising Finance, Grants and Loans

• Financing a new business 658.1 (Business)
• Business finance 658.15 (Business)
• Debt collecting 658.1526 (Self Help)

We also hold details of Shell LiveWire, Prince's Trust and Croydon Loan Scheme.

Researching the Market

• Marketing and conducting market research 658.8 (Business)

Statistics for Assessing Potential Markets

National Statistics:

• Government Statistics eg Annual Abstract of Statistics AR STA
• Social Trends AR SOC
• Regional Trends AR REG
• See also: National Statistics website www.statistics.gov.uk

Local Statistics:

For local population statistics there is a yellow Local Statistics folder and 2001 Census Statistics. Various publications by London Research Centre contain demographic and economic information. The Local Studies Library holds material on current Local Authority Development plans and planning issues. The Yellow Pages and Thomson directories can give a guide to the number of businesses in your sector.

Competitor Information

General directories can be found in Business Directories section under UK companies and include Key British Enterprises, Kompass and Kellys.

Industry-specific directories can be found in Current Directories section.

Directories for the Croydon area include Croydon Chamber of Commerce & Industry Directory, Dun & Bradstreet Business Register-Surrey, and Regional Leads Reports-North and South Surrey.

Companies House Directory on the internet at: www.companieshouse.co.uk gives details of all registered companies in England, Scotland and Wales. If starting up a limited company it is useful for checking whether a name is already registered. A free search of the site lists names and trading addresses of all Limited companies. Staff can carry out searches for Directors/Secretaries and financial data. There is a charge for this service.

Useful websites for those looking to set up their own business.

Would you like your business included on the our business register - it's free! Click here and fill in our online form.

Back to Business Home Page

Thursday, 15 May, 2008

Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Submit a Comment / Question to the Webmaster