Grant/Car/New Business?

lollipop111

Hi

This is a long shot, but hey they sometimes work
Im in the process of setting up my own business as a childminder. Currently undergoing checks and have completed all the training.

The only think I am missing is a car which will come in very handy for doing school runs etc. Obviously it will be used for domestic purposes too but mainly for business.

Does anybody know of any organisations that give grants to new businesses? eg. for a car. I really feel that my earning potential is going to be decreased as I do not have transport.

Many thanks
Lorraine x

PolishBigSpender

You've already admitted that the car will be used for personal purposes, so why do you expect them to give you a grant for one?

Take a part time job in the evennigs and save up for a car

peterbaker

Take little notice of PBS, he/she seems to enjoy the low paid struggle - not sure if it is a recommended life's learning programme (the struggle) or just entertainment for a particular brand of people manager who would worry about his/her own company's profitability if he/she didn't see them struggling:p

Anyway, if you do manage to get a car I am pretty certain that, if it is used as you described, HMRC will allow you to offset some of the costs against tax liability as a self-employed person.

Those costs might extend beyond fuel and maintenance to include depreciation and possibly interest on a car loan.

I don't know of any particular grants (your local authority contacts may do), but you may be able to tempt your bank to help you with a business loan application under the recent EU fiscal stimulus initiatives for small businesses.

inmypocketnottheirs

My wife is a childminder and finds a car has been invaluable in getting her work. We actually went for a 7 seater, and it has more than earned it's keep. In fact one family with 2 kids that my wife minded for paid for the car over a two year period. It is an E Class Mercedes Diesel Estate, so great for the job

lollipop111

Hi guys,
Many thanks for your help, apart from BPS's whose comments really arent worth replying to :-)
Ill definitely look into the business loan and offsetting the costs. Im new to all this so was not aware I could do that. Im sure a vehicle will prove invaluable as inyourpocket said.
Cheers :-)

HopeAndDriftWood

If you do find any grants etc, could you let me know?
I've been looking for a friend, but haven't found anything yet.

Thank you!!

chalkie99

This is not supposed to come across as a "dig" so don't be offended but........

in a post on another section of the forum just 3 days ago you said:

lollipop111 wrote: »

Hi, I am at the stage where I am now robbing peter to pay paul.
I can only afford to pay tiny amounts off of each of my utilities.

....... so taking out a loan for a car, however tempting that might be, looks like just digging yourself a bigger hole .

Horace

Contact businesslink for some free advice - they can also point you in the direction of grants.

I have looked for grants for myself and have found that currently there is nothing out there.

PolishBigSpender

Okay, so my comment was slightly rude.

But in all reality, I cannot see anyone giving you a grant to buy a car for business purposes. Even in Poland, where EU money is plentiful, cars simply aren't provided for business purposes - you're expected to finance such things yourself.

Given your comments that 'chalkie99' has posted, are you really doing the right thing by starting a business? Many businesses will fail because of a lack of capitalisation - if you are 'robbing Piotr to pay Paweł' already, then do you really have the money to pay for ongoing maintainence/other costs of a car?

There's also the fact that the conditions of the grant will probably require you to use the car wholly for business purposes - if such grants even exist.

lollipop111

I would like to make it clear to "some" members on here who seem to just want to judge me and my circumstances.
I am merely LOOKING to see if there are any grants for FUTURE reference. I have a financial situation which I need to clear for the time being. However I have just completed training, will be working soon and in the near future will be looking for a vehicle!

It seems some members on here just come on here to try and trip people up when all they are doing is trying to gain advice from other people and possibly help others too.
I find it a shame that it gets to the stage where you think "shall I post this thread or will I just get negative comments back as usual" before you go ahead.

I am well aware of my present situation. However, there is nothing wrong with planning and finding out information for the future!!! The kind of business I am going into does not require a huge amount of capital. I am not going into detail about that as there will just be "more" negative comments.

Thank you to all those who replied with constructive and helpful ideas. x

Savvy_Sue

Just a thought, but some parents will actually not want you to take their minded children in a car. Those who do may well want evidence that it is insured, taxed and well maintained.