Funding Questions

[Chris G]

Thanks in advance for providing such a great service!!! I am presently planning to set up a trust adminsitration business in the New Year in the Merseyside Area and have a few questions regarding finance.

1) firstly I have very little savings and therefore I was wondering what grant based assistance would be available in the Merseyside area and whom would I need to sepeak to, to obtain these grants.

2) When I start training I may need additional finance in the early months. I do not hawever whish to cede control of the business to, say, a bank for instace via equity finacne. Are there any other forms of finance other than grants which would enable me to maintain total control of the business.

3) What (reputable) business incubation services are available in Liverpool. I have enquired and have so far only been able to find dubious offices offerin no mentoring of finaacial start up pacakages.

4) Is "the hothouse" still in operation, it was a intinative offered by John Moores University to incubate businesses and provided mentoring and start up funding. I have enquired and no one is aware if it is still trading (even the University). If not are there any similar projects in Merseyside and do they offer finance and mentoring.

Thanks for your help

[Statler]

Hi Chris,

I think you'll find the Business Link for Greater Merseyside website of great use, especially the useful links in every section (for example, in Premises, there are links to the likes of the Liverpool Business Centre: http://www.gme.org.uk/index.asp?site=newBusiness&section=2,8).

You may also find it helpful to contact your local council - the Economic Development department may have information on finance and premises (many councils offer subsidised workspace):

http://www.oultwood.com/localgov/uk/merseyside.php

Your local enterprise agency may have info too:

http://www.nfea.com/index.htm?page=find_lea/north_west.htm

Have you registered with Shell LiveWIRE at http://www.shell-livewire.org/cgi-bin/register.pl (this is different from registering for the Mentor system) to receive your free Essential Business Kit. When you register you will receive details of your local Shell LiveWIRE Co-ordinator, with whom you can arrange a meeting to discuss your business ideas.

Lee