Setting up a business UK

[melvbot]

Ive got an idea that if it takes off will require setting up a company/business in the UK.

Does anyone know if you can do all the required things online?

Also whats the first step to do?

What costs are involved in setting up the company itself?

Ive been to the gov website and its a lot of "register with this to do this" and im a wee bit confused to say the least.

[William]

everything should be on this website:

http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/

[melvbot]

Thanks William, Im texting my dad and getting info from him is always useful but its a bit slow. That link doesnt work for some reason.

Companies House

Its also closed due to extreme weather. Wonder whats going off? Must be snow.

Just in case anyone else is interested.

[SandMike]

You can also buy ready made companies 'off the shelf', all set up and ready to go. The names can be a bit off the wall, 'cos they have to be unique, but (from memory) you can use your own company title to trade, as long as you mention somewhere that the proprietor is your ready made company. typing 'ready made uk company' into your favourite search engine should get you started.

Good luck with your venture

[daveboy]

What costs are involved in setting up the company itself?

£1.00 will get you one off the shelf.

[melvbot]

Thanks fella's, I'll check them out but Im always a bit wary of these sort of things to start with. I'll see what the old boy says, hes set plenty up in his time plus he'll love helping his layabout prodigy in waiting to get his act together.

[melvbot]

My reasoning for setting up a company is so I can process credit cards for a website, to open the merchant account I need a company number or registration.

Now not exactly being on the radar in the UK, i.e electoral roll etc Im a bit concerned about the checks they do. Im not doing anything dodgy and all being well this will be registered at my dads address who runs a decent business from there.

When you register a company what do they actually check? Electoral roll, council tax etc?

[dirtydog]

Don't think they check anything, our accountants always registered our companies and were always listed as the directors etc for the first year or so.

[melvbot]

Don't think they check anything, our accountants always registered our companies and were always listed as the directors etc for the first year or so.

Cheers DD, its going to be registered in my name, just hope it doesnt make any difference.

[melvbot]

Just got off the phone with my dads accountant and he said its £200 to set up.
Does this sound like a fair price for this?
Theses "shelf" companies seem cheaper but why? Are there more chrges down the line?

[Marmite the Dog]

If you set up as a sole trader, it's free isn't it? Or is it 200 quid to register the name?

[melvbot]

To register at Companies House its something like £30 but with me not exactly being in the UK and paying anything like council tax or being on the electoral roll I'd prefer someone in the UK to offer out their IP rather than my nasty Thai IP if I were to do it myself online.
Bottom line is it needs to be done.

[Happyman]

I have a registered - dormant - but paid up company in UK .
Maybe for a consideration I can sell it to you
Registered in Wolverhampton and member of W'ton Chamber of commerce.

PM if interested and I will contact my ex - who is the other partner !

[melvbot]

The crux of this is credit card processing, thats all I need. If anyone has experience with this I'd love to hear from them.

[Rural Surin]

The question should be: Why?

[melvbot]

The question should be: Why?

I knew you wouldnt have anything to add as per usual. Toddle off to somewhere youre wanted, might be a long trip.

[daveboy]

If you set up as a sole trader, it's free isn't it?

Thats correct you just use your name eg John Smith

[melvbot]

Well Ive just done the questions at the business link site and it says sole trader, hopefully thats not a suggestion I should move to Grimsby and look for a job instead.

Choose a name for your business

You can trade under your own name, eg M.Y.Self, or use another business name, eg Peerless Promotions.
If you decide to use a business name, you must make sure that your business stationery displays your name as well as the trading name of the business for example, M.Y.Self, trading as Peerless Promotions.
Your trading name should not be the same as, or too similar to, that of a business which already exists. Be careful that it does not contain words that people might find offensive or misleading. See our guide on how to choose the right name for your business.


Sounds like you can use a trading name as well, more reading to do.

[Loy Toy]

Its always a pain to set a company and have nothing really else to add except good luck with it and I respect a bloke with get up and go!

[melvbot]

Its always a pain to set a company and have nothing really else to add except good luck with it and I respect a bloke with get up and go!

Setting up a company in the UK is pretty straight forward, its because Im based out here and need a merchant account thats the problem. Paypal offer a service called Website Payments Pro which seems to be the simplest to apply for as I have accounts with them already (this is why I need a company registration number) whereas someone like HSBC its a signup charge of possibly £250 and a trip to the local branch.
I just love spending my days reading bank and government websites, thrilling.

[Marmite the Dog]

Paypal is the simplest way to get payments, but unlike your friendly High Street bank, Paypal will fuck you around if they wish.

If you can get a proper merchant's account with a bank, then do so.

[melvbot]

Paypal is the simplest way to get payments, but unlike your friendly High Street bank, Paypal will fuck you around if they wish.

If you can get a proper merchant's account with a bank, then do so.

Thats the main problem, not in the UK and they usually want to see you face to face or at least call you to set up a merchant account. The banks charge ridiculous amounts for setup, anywhere up to £250.

[Gerbil]

Paypal is the simplest way to get payments, but unlike your friendly High Street bank, Paypal will fuck you around if they wish.

If you can get a proper merchant's account with a bank, then do so.

Thats the main problem, not in the UK and they usually want to see you face to face or at least call you to set up a merchant account. The banks charge ridiculous amounts for setup, anywhere up to £250.

You will probably not be able to get a proper business account in the UK without a face-to-face meeting with them. This is due to the 'Know Your Customer' regulations setup to combat money laundering and terrorism.

[Marmite the Dog]

You will probably not be able to get a proper business account in the UK without a face-to-face meeting with them. This is due to the 'Know Your Customer' regulations setup to combat money laundering and terrorism.

Also, UK banks love to charge you for everything in a business account, even paying cash in! Fuckers!

[melvbot]

So its looking like Paypals merchant service being the simplest option, I just need to provide a company registration to sign up. Im going round in circles on this one.