Do you own a shop or are considering opening one? Walking through my local town centre a few days ago I noticed another two shops had closed down, including a very well known name. For me this is sad for several reasons. Not only is it a reflection of the tough times retail outlets are facing, but it also represents the shift in spending patterns and types of shops we're increasingly seeing on our high streets.
More and more we're finding either short-term shops, which come along sell low value goods and disappear as quickly as they came, or more permanent shops selling all manner of products at very cheap prices. While those living on a tight budget find these shops invaluable we have to ask ourselves whether they are actually doing more to damage the image of the high street than helping to save it. Are consumers increasingly seeing the high street as as predominantly full of 'cheap' shops which can be found in any town. Are we losing our identities and what makes each town special and unique and therefore our attachment?
Of course the shift started decades ago with the advent of out of town shopping centres. Every shop you could possibly need all under one roof! Planners thought they'd come up with a great idea, but the affect these centres had on towns was huge. However, these large centre have no personality or individuality - much like many town centres ended up.
We recently 
We already knew it, but a recent report by the Made Simple Group has shown that the oldest person to become a limited company director in the last three years was 94 and the youngest was 16. This is a fantastic reflection of business in the UK today, and just goes to show that the UK is full of new business ideas from all quarters. The fact that so many young are setting up companies bodes very well for the future of private enterprise, and we can only hope that they are getting the help and support they require to help them succeed in this difficult arena. Sadly, having a good idea simply isn't enough in this day and age. It's about how you get your message out to the masses. Similarly, with older entrepreneurs, if they are setting up their first company then they will probably still require support of some sort even if they have the benefit of business experience. It would be interesting to see the types of businesses these two groups have been setting up and whether there are any clear differences - and also the success rates.
Work Christmas Party - It might sound quite a light-hearted topic, but the reality for small businesses can be very different. Not only is there the cost of the evening to think about, but, assuming a good night was had by all, there's the potential lost work hours the following day (unless you can afford a Friday night party of course). For small businesses already struggling the party can be a real burden, although bosses are only too aware that not having a party can equally create problems through negativity in the office and employees not feeling valued.
How many of us have said that we would like to work and live abroad? The thought probably crosses are minds quite a lot on the cold, dark days of winter, but is it actually a viable possibility? The dream is well and truly alive for many expat entrepreneurs with research from NatWest International's Personal Banking Quality of Life Index showing that seven out of ten of overseas business people believing they have done better in business by starting up abroad.
As if times aren't hard enough for start up businesses, we now hear that the UK's small businesses are paying up to three times as much for goods and services than big businesses who enjoy large savings from their favoured suppliers. Research by 
With the increase in university tuition fees due to kick in next year there was the inevitable rush to get a space at university this year, but did all those students consider the alternatives? With more and more young people starting their own businesses perhaps a (costly) degree is no longer as important as it once was.
It has apparently proved successful during the trial run in Merseyside this year, but will the Government’s New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) prove itself as effective nationwide? The scheme works with the long-term unemployed (receiving Jobseekers Allowance for at least 26 weeks) to provide them with the opportunity to start their own small business by offering access to a business mentor who will work with entrereneurs to put together business plans. They will also receive a £65 per week stipend for the first thirteen weeks (reducing to £33 per week for the subsequent thirteen weeks) and in addition the entrepreneurs will have access to a £1,000 business loan.