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Premises

Q: Under what circumstances will I need planning permission for business premises?

If you are running a business from home or operating from commercial premises you should contact your Local Authority Planning Department to advise them of your existence. They will be able to advise you in more depth on planning permission, especially if you are changing the use of the premises, changing the structure of the building or installing plant or machinery as planning permission must be obtained beforehand. You will also have to consider all current building control regulations. Consult your Local Authority Planning and/or Building Regulations Department. In some cases you will need to contact the water and sewerage authorities.

Q: What should I consider when choosing property?

There are a number of issues to consider when choosing premises suitable for your new business. The type of business you run will obviously have a bearing on your choice:

• Location
  Which location is best suited to your business type? What can you afford? Is it accessible to your customers, staff and suppliers? How far are your customers willing to travel?
• Image
  The property must give the right impression to your visitors. Often when starting out, new businesses can't afford expensive offices. However it is vital that your customers can find you with ease and are comfortable in your surroundings. Take into consideration parking spaces and how many you will need.
• Competition
  Where are your competitors located? Are there any similar businesses in that location? If not, why not? Has someone else tried and failed? With some businesses you may want to be close to your competition to give your customers a choice, for example Estate Agents tend to operate in close proximity to each other.
• Security
  What security measures are already in place? What will you have to improve? Is it a burglary black spot? This can have an impact on insurance and image of your business. In some cases you can get security grants from your local authority.