Help for new businesses

But there's much more to it than that. If you don't have lots of experience in running your accounts, arranging business loans, business insurance or marketing your services, for example, there are plenty of places where you can get help.

Your first start should be your local Business Link. This is a Government agency, organised regionally, that provides information and support for all small businesses - whether they are start-ups, established companies or firms looking to expand. It's particularly strong on the administrative side of running a SME, with guidance on taxation, employment, finance and regulations. But it also has plenty of useful tips on marketing, international trade and grants, and runs local events that provide advice and networking opportunities.

The Federation of Small Businesses is a member organisation that campaigns on behalf of SMEs. It promotes the interests of small businesses in Parliament and in the media, but it also gives its members a range of benefits. Members are entitled to legal information, and can download templates of legal documents.

Members also get tax advice and there are a number of special deals you can access when it comes to banking, loans and credit cards.

It's also worth visiting the websites of the major banks; they all offer accounts and services to small businesses, and many of them have plenty of advice to companies, which is available whether you are a customer or not. Once you have a business bank account, some banks will provide you with access to a relationship manager, who has experience of many different types of business. If your bank provides this resource, they are there to help you, so make use of them!

As part of the Government's long-term strategy to get more of its services online, there is now a wealth of useful sources of information for small businesses, many of them available through Direct.gov. The site is generally set up for individuals, so if you're a sole trader then you can receive guidance on your rights and responsibilities, as well as information on tax and benefits. For larger companies, the taxman will be able to explain all about VAT, corporation tax, employers' tax and the like. It's particularly useful for companies undertaking new ventures, such as employing someone for the first time or selling products and services overseas - each of these come with potential liabilities so it's a good place to start if you're considering such a move.

Depending on where your business is based, there may also be local support available. Local agencies in Wales and Scotland, as well as parts of England, are there to help your business get off the ground successfully, and may have valuable local knowledge to help you build your customer base or get great deals from suppliers. If you want to find out more, visit your local library to see what's available.

Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail banking (current accounts and instant access savings accounts), credit cards, corporate banking, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services, with an extensive international presence in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs over 140,000 people. Barclays moves, invests and protects money and provides business bank accounts, loans, home insurance, life insurance, a mortgage calculator and other services for over 49 million customers and clients worldwide. For further information about Barclays, please visit our website www.barclays.co.uk.