If you are taking over an existing business or are planning to start a new one, there are a few things you need to know.

It is important to get things right from the start. On this page you will find information, links (underlined) to other web pages on this site and also links to other useful websites.

Pre-employment screening: It is estimated that almost one in seven CVs contain some form of discrepancy – most commonly dates of employment, academic and professional qualifications and undisclosed directorships. Pre-employment screening can help your organisation to identify undesirable individuals, who may be dishonest or susceptible to committing fraud, before they join.

An introduction to fraud detection: Fraud detection should form part of an organisation’s overall anti-fraud strategy to identify and stop new or historical fraud at the earliest opportunity. Effective fraud detection saves money and protects businesses and their employees, shareholders and customers.

How your business can combat e-crime: Protecting your business against fraud

How your business can combat insider fraud: Protecting your business against fraud

How your business can combat card not present fraud: Protecting your business against fraud

Planning consent: If you open a business that does not have the right planning consent you may face legal action. To check if your premises has planning consent contact the Council’s Planning Services. For further information on classes of premises under the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 follow the link 'Planning portal'.

Business laws, finance and support

Before you start trading you must decide what type of business you are setting up, a sole trader, partnership or limited company. For more information about business types follow the link ‘Business Link’.

Whatever your type of business you must be registered with HM Revenue and Customs. If you employ other people you are responsible for employees tax and national insurance contributions and these must also be registered. For more information follow the link ‘HM Revenue and Customs’.

The Council provides help and support to businesses in Middlesbrough. For information on business support go to Business support.

Licensing laws: If you want to trade after 11pm or if you want to sell alcohol at any time you must have a license. If you are mobile trader and would like to trade in the centre of Middlesbrough you may need a street consent for this. For information on licensing laws contact the Council's Licensing Team on (01642) 728011.

Registration of food premises: Registration is a legal requirement. It is free and simple and must be made at least 28 days before the date you intend to start trading.

Food safety management and training: Good premises need good management and many use 'Safer Food Better Business' as their written food safety management system. It is a practical approach to food safety management developed by the Food Standards Agency.

Food Hygiene Award This scheme provides a source of public information, helping consumers to consider hygiene standards before they eat or buy food. The scheme also acts as an incentive for food businesses to improve and maintain good hygiene standards.

Food safety advice We provide a variety of advice and guidance on our web pages including videos, useful links and documents to download.

Managing waste: Handling, storing and disposing of waste from your business needs careful management. Not looking after your waste properly can cause nuisance, eye-sores and public health risks. There are legal requirements which you must follow. Here you will find information about managing your waste, including recycling.

Managing workplace health and safety: All workplaces must be safe for employees and visitors. Follow the link for information and advice on assessing risks, developing safe working practices and making your workplace a safe environment. Information can also be obtained by following the 'Health & Safety Executive' link. Here you will find a useful 10-point start up plan.

Workplace fire safety: Commercial fires claim around 20 lives, injure 1400 people and cost businesses over £3 billion every year. By ensuring you comply with legislation and following some common-sense guidelines you can help to reduce the risk of fire and protect your business. Follow the Fire Safety or Cleveland Fire Brigade links for more information.

Smoke-free laws: All enclosed and substantially enclosed (more than 50%) workplaces and public spaces must be smoke-free by law. Approved no-smoking signage must be displayed at entrances and you must ensure that people do not smoke in your premises. For further information follow the 'Smoke-free England' link.

Trading Standards laws: If you are selling goods or services, you must comply with trading standards laws. These include protecting consumers from unsafe goods, misleading or false descriptions, counterfeit products, pricing, under-age sales and weights and measures.

Town Centre Evacuation Plan: Cleveland Emergency Planning Unit in association with Middlesbrough Council and Cleveland Police have produced a Town Centre Evacuation Plan to assist businesses and residents of Middlesbrough should they be evacuated

Business Continuity Management: All businesses in Middlesbrough, large or small, are vulnerable to accidents and emergencies. It is recognised that smaller businesses have fewer resources to devote to planning, and to deploy in a response and recovery effort after an incident. However, it is nevertheless important that they spend some time and effort to develop basic steps for business continuity.

While acts of terrorism can disrupt all businesses and should be planned for, they are still relatively rare. However, incidents such as power failure or flooding due to a broken water main, can deprive a business of electrical or water supplies and damage or destroy stock or documents.

For further information on Business Continuity Management please visit the Cleveland Emergency Planning Unit website www.clevelandemergencyplanning.info