Newsletter #126 - Most expensive business locations, Protecting your cashflow, Top SEO tips, Business vehicle insurance, staff interviews

In this week's Business121 Newsletter:

1. The most expensive places to run a business in the UK

2. Essential Tips for protecting your business cashflow

3. Top 10 SEO tips for small businesses

4. Staff Interviews - top tips for employers

5. Guide van and business vehicle insurance

Small Business News

6. New start-up packs for small businesses released

7. 10% tax band abolition - the Government's concession

8. Small companies lead the way with flexible working

9. Buying overseas property via a company - new legislation

Most expensive places to run a business in the UK

We recently came across some research into the cost of running a business in the major towns and cities across the UK. The results themselves were interesting - Milton Keynes came out on top, for example, with average retail space costs of £2,500 per square metre. Cost of living and property prices are high. Wage costs are also high - with employees earning around £517 per week (the eighth highest in the UK).

Less surprisingly, Cambridge and Oxford are next on the list. Both towns score highly for both office and industrial rental space but are hard hit by the cost of living and housing in the area. In fact, Oxford has the second most expensive house prices in the UK after the South East and London.

However, what will be even more interesting will be the results of a similar survey in a year's time. With the "credit crunch" in full force - home sales virtually stalled and genuine inflation in double digits, it can only be a matter of time before businesses start to question whether or not the flash office space they're been using during the "good times" is either affordable or sensible in the leaner times. Additionally, with more and more small businesses opting for homeworking, there may well be a vast number of "to let" signs popping up in office locations all over the country!

You can read more on the Top 10 most expensive places to run a business here - http://www.bytestart.co.uk/content/news/statistics/business-expensive-locations.shtml

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Essential tips for protecting your business cashflow

What does the economic downturn mean for small businesses, looking first and foremost at cashflow and cashflow blockages. Includes exclusive top cashflow tips from market leaders, Sage.

Top 10 SEO tips for small businesses

With online presence becoming increasingly competitive it is vitally important to get your website highly ranked. Top 10 factors to examine to ensure an effective online presence for your small business website.

Staff Interviews - Top Tips for Employers

This week, the final Apprentice contestants went through the gruelling, but entertaining "interview stage". Here are some essential interview tips to ensure you keep on the right side of employment law.

Guide to Van and Business Vehicle Insurance

If your business needs its own vehicle, whether that’s a leased company car for you or a sales person, or perhaps a van for deliveries, the business will need to get commercial motor insurance. Our guide to van insurance and business vehicle cover.

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New start-up packs for small businesses released

The British Chambers of Commerce has just released its custom-built new business startup pack as part of a long term commitment to encourage small companies to grow successfully.

10% Tax Band Abolition - the Government's concession

Following the 10% tax band "fiasco", here are the details of the revised tax rates and allowances for the 2008-9 tax year.

Small companies lead the way with flexible working

According to the recently published Walsh Review, small companies have a better record of accepting requests for flexible working than larger ones.

Buying overseas property via a company - new legislation

Many UK taxpayers have purchased overseas property using a company. The Finance Bill 2008 includes measures that exempt most of these owners from a potential benefit in kind charge for their private use of such properties.

** For the latest Small Business News, visit http://www.Bytestart.co.uk **

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