PRIME business club

The Open Day programme is the biggest government business support road show, designed to provide free information and support to businesses, through a series of exhibitions across the country.

It is organised by HM Revenue and Customs, who invite local organisations and representatives of national bodies such as PRIME that can provide support and advice to local businesses. The organisations chosen all operate on an “other than for profit” i.e. non-commercial basis.

At this free event you will have access to a full team of experts who provide advice and technical support on a range of subjects, covering every stage of your business from start-up, through growth and expansion to pension arrangements when you retire. Free seminars cover topics such as meeting government regulations, funding, marketing and enhancing your business through new technology.

Click on the link below to find out more and to book your place.

Website Link: www.businessadviceday.gov.uk

There is a small prize draw on the PRIME stand for people attending this event. Here are the rules:

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Date: Thursday 19th June 2008, 11:00am to 4:00pm

Venue: The Blakenall Community Centre, Blakenall, Walsall, WS3 1LW

Status: PRIME Event 

Free workshop for people over 50 running their own business or thinking about starting up. Help on working for yourself including, marketing, computing, planning and pensions.

Lunch provided.

To book your place on this workshop Free phone: 0800 783 1904
Email: martin.sarling@ace.org.uk

Date: Tuesday 17th June 2008

Time: FREE Exhibition with workshops 1.00pm to 5.30pm, Public presentation 5.30pm to 8.00pm

Venue: Grosvenor House, Glengall St, Belfast BT12 5AD

Status: PRIME event

Essential Enterprise Day is a free PRIME event for anyone over 50 who is thinking of starting a business or planning to be self-employed. There is an exhibition in the afternoon, with a programme of free workshops, followed by a free seminar in the evening.

You will need to book in advance for both the afternoon workshops and the evening presentation to be sure of a place. The booking form is here. But you can drop-in to the exhibition.

At the exhibition starting at 1.00pm you will be able to get advice, support and information from local experts in self-employment and business start-up. The programme of free afternoon workshops covers the basics of self-employment, making your business profitable and the ins-and-outs of tax.

In the evening from 6:30pm to 8:00pm there will be a presentation by Tom Edge, a world-class inspirational speaker, on his tips for conquering ageism and setting up a successful business when you are over 50.

This again is free, but please book in advance for the workshops and evening presentation. Book your place with this form or
email prime@ace.org.uk to book

What’s more, every afternoon workshop attendee* will receive a FREE copy of the award winning Essential Business Guide , worth £24.95. The guide has assembled the combined knowledge of 32 highly-experienced business experts, and is the perfect reference guide for you if you’re just starting out, or if you’ve been in business for many years. *max one per delegate.

PLUS: If you attend the evening presentation you will receive a free 28 page Starting in Business Guide worth £5.95 - the ideal starting point for anyone thinking of becoming self-employed.

More details of the Essential Enterprise Day programme below.

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Date: Thursday 26 June 2008

Time: 9.30am to 2.30pm

Venue: Shirecliffe Community Centre, 349 Shirecliffe Road, Shirecliffe, Sheffield S5 8XJ

Status: PRIME event

This free event explores the issues surrounding starting up in business, and is especially aimed at those over 50.

Topics covered include:

Is self-employment right for you?
Finding the right business idea
What sources of help are available.

Refreshments provided.

To book your free place please call PRIME on 0800 783 1904, or email prime@ace.org.uk

Date: Tuesday 20 May 2008

Time: 9.30am to 2.30pm

Venue: Forum House, 35 Spital Hill, Burngreave, Sheffield S4 7LD

Status: PRIME event

This free event explores the issues surrounding starting up in business, and is especially aimed at those over 50.

Topics covered include:

Is self-employment right for you?
Finding the right business idea
What sources of help are available.

Refreshments provided.

To book your free place please call PRIME on 0800 783 1904, or email prime@ace.org.uk

Date: Thursday 12 June 2008

Time: 5.30pm to 7.30pm

Venue: Forum House, 35 Spital Hill, Burngreave, Sheffield S4 7LD

Status: PRIME event

This free evening event has the theme of money - both raising finance for your business and keeping track of money. As well as an opportunity to network with others who are starting or who have recently started in business, there will be speakers from HMRC and a local micro lending scheme.

The event is free and refreshments will be provided.

To book your place please call PRIME on 0800 783 1904, or email prime@ace.org.uk

Date: Thursday 8 May 2008

Time: 5.30pm to 7.30pm

Venue: Alison Business Centre, 39 Alison Crescent, Sheffield S2 1AS

Status: PRIME event

This free evening event has the theme of money - both raising finance for your business and keeping track of money. As well as an opportunity to network with others who are starting or who have recently started in business, there will be speakers from HMRC and a local micro lending scheme.

The event is free and refreshments will be provided.

To book your place please call PRIME on 0800 783 1904, or email prime@ace.org.uk
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Date: Wednesday 30 April 2008

Time: 9.30am to 2.30pm

Venue: St Barts Church Centre, Primrose Hill, Sheffield S6 2UW

Status: PRIME event

This free event explores the issues surrounding starting up in business, and is especially aimed at those over 50.

Topics covered include:

Is self-employment right for you?
Finding the right business idea
What sources of help are available.

Refreshments provided.

To book your free place please call PRIME on 0800 783 1904, or email prime@ace.org.uk
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Libraries can be of great use when researching your business. They can help you form an overview of your market, find likely competitors or even research prospective clients, or do more specialised things like check company names and trademarks or find journalists who might be interested in your venture.

Some of the bigger libraries have extensive collections of directories and hold market research reports that would cost a fortune to buy or access online, but which you can view for free if you actually go along to the library.

The City Business Library, located in the City of London near Moorgate, is the largest specialised public reference library in the country dedicated to practical business information. You can use it for free and there are no membership requirements.

More on the collections

More on services for startups

The library runs regular 40-minute tours and longer two-hour workshops on how to find stuff, which are free.

Here are some dates for upcoming workshops on using the market research collection, all starting at 9.30 in the morning.

Thursday 17 April 2008
Thursday 8 May
Wednesday 21 May
Tuesday 10 June
Wednesday 9 July
Thursday 31 July
Tuesday 12 August

To book a place on any of these courses,  telephone the City Business Library on 020 7332 1812 or email cbl@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Date: Monday 31st March 2008, 10:00am to 4:00pm

Venue: Age Concern Training Centre, Suite 10 Bridge House, Bridge Street, Walsall, WS1 1JQ.

Status: PRIME Event 

Free workshop for people over 50 running their own business or thinking about starting up. Help on business computing and finding the right direction for you.

To book your place on this workshop please contact Martin Sarling on: 07717 151 168 or Free phone: 0800 783 1904
Email: martin.sarling@ace.org.uk

Printable flyer 31.03.08

Date: Friday 28th March 2008, 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Venue: Oceana, Bilston Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 3AW

Status: PRIME Event 

Free workshop for people over 50 running their own business or thinking about starting up. Help on planning your future and finding the right direction for you.

To book your place on this workshop please contact Martin Sarling on: 07717 151 168 or Free phone: 0800 783 1904
Email: martin.sarling@ace.org.uk

Printable flyer 28.03.08

Date: Wednesday 19th March 2008, 9:30am to 2:00pm

Venue: Alison Business Centre, 39-40 Alison Crescent, Sheffield, S2 1AS

Status: PRIME event

This beginner’s workshop will help you come up with and develop your ideas and use your skills.
You will then begin to make a decision on whether you would like to work for yourself. 

The workshop will focus on:

~ using your skills and talents

~ developing your business idea

~ the basics of being self-employed

To book your place on this workshop please contact Faye Banerjee on:0800 783 1904
Email: faye.banerjee@ace.org.uk

Sheffield 19th March Printable flyer

Date: Tuesday 18th March 2008, 10:00am to 2:30pm

Venue: Pudsey Civic Hall, Dawson Corner, Cote Lane, Pudsey, LS28 5TA

Status: PRIME event

This beginner’s workshop will help you come up with and develop your ideas and use your skills.
You will then begin to make a decision on whether you would like to work for yourself. 

The workshop will focus on:

~ using your skills and talents

~ developing your business idea

~ the basics of being self-employed

To book your place on this workshop please contact Faye Banerjee on:0800 783 1904
Email: faye.banerjee@ace.org.uk

Pudsey 18th March 08 printable flyer

Date: Monday 10th March 2008, 9:30am to 2:00pm

Venue: Cantley Community Centre, Goodison Boulevard, Cantley, Doncaster, DN4 6DF

Status: PRIME event

This beginner’s workshop will help you come up with and develop your ideas and use your skills.
You will then begin to make a decision on whether you would like to work for yourself. 

The workshop will focus on:

~ using your skills and talents

~ developing your business idea

~ the basics of being self-employed

To book your place on this workshop please contact Faye Banerjee on:0800 783 1904
Email: faye.banerjee@ace.org.uk

Doncaster 10th March 08 printable flyer

The British Library, located between Euston and Kings Cross stations in London, runs a regular programme of workshops on business and intellectual property topics.

The workshops are generally aimed at a small business audience, last a few hours, and are either free or cost a few pounds. But they are often crowded - advance booking is essential.

Here’s a list of selected topics in the next month - click for more on how to book.

Many past talks by inspirational entrepreneurs are available in the podcast area of the site.

The library itself holds a large collection of market research reports, fact sheets on starting different sorts of business, and a searchable database of patents. To use these you will need to get a reader pass, but this again is free.

These services are partly funded by the London Development Agency, but are available to people from across the UK.