New Business Grants

KJP1980

Hiya
I live in pembrokeshire and my partner is trying to set up a shop selling games consoles/games and offering repairs and disk cleaning service. Does anyone know of any grants available in this area - the jobcentre mentioned one but the date it is coming out keeps getting put back and if he waits much longer he is going to loose the premises (which are few and far between round here at a cheap price.
Also does anyone know if, as he is claiming JSA if he does take on the premises and is setting them up ie painting, building shelves etc (but not selling anything) is he allowed to do this or will it be seen as working

Thanks

Kate

bengalknights

I think it was business link that offered start up grants or if not then they definitly know how to obtain them.

paulwf

As well as Business Link try asking the council, local enterprise agencies, regional development agencies and check the business section of the local paper if it has one (ours is a monthly supplement I think). Attend business fairs as they are usually free and generally put some feelers out to see what is about.

Nearly all grants have dried up so I wouldn't be very hopeful but there certainly isn't any harm in trying. Most remaining grants are small i.e. a couple of thousand and my main concern is that you'd probably want an absolute minimum of £20K to set the shop up and build business levels during through the first few months.

Have you done a pilot scheme such as selling on Ebay or setting up a market stall? It would be really good to do a low risk trial before getting a shop. As you know the games industry is very competitive.

motorguy

KJP1980 wrote: »

Hiya
I live in pembrokeshire and my partner is trying to set up a shop selling games consoles/games and offering repairs and disk cleaning service. Does anyone know of any grants available in this area - the jobcentre mentioned one but the date it is coming out keeps getting put back and if he waits much longer he is going to loose the premises (which are few and far between round here at a cheap price.
Also does anyone know if, as he is claiming JSA if he does take on the premises and is setting them up ie painting, building shelves etc (but not selling anything) is he allowed to do this or will it be seen as working

Thanks

Kate

Please please please make sure he has done his homework properly on this first.

Its very easy to get swept away with the notion of a new business, but you really are going into a market that is dominated on the high street by GAME, Gamestation etc, and a customer base that is moving more and more towards internet suppliers (of even direct game downloads)

There is very little margins on consoles - a few pounds at best - and games have a very short shelf life, meaning stock will go 'off'. Plus when something goes wrong with a console under warranty it will become the problem of you as the seller to resolve - and all to be handled out of a waifer thin margin.

Plus there will also be someone advertising repairing consoles in your local paper who will be able to undercut you as they wont be paying taxes, rent, rates, electric, etc, etc.

There is no loyalty in the general public. They will buy from the cheapest supplier each and every time, whether that be Tescos, GAME or online.

The reason that there are incredibly few independent game / console shops is not because its an untapped market, its because its an unviable market.

motorguy

paulwf wrote: »

Have you done a pilot scheme such as selling on Ebay or setting up a market stall? It would be really good to do a low risk trial before getting a shop. As you know the games industry is very competitive.

I would agree strongly with this. I would have a simple ad in the local advertising console repairs with free pickup / return. See what sort of interest that generates - i would predict very little.

welsh_andy_2

Has he spoken to Business Connect? http:// www. bcnpt .co .uk/

I live in Swansea and in the process of starting an IT support company, business connect are part funded by the welsh assembly and offer a 1 day taster course/seminar, free advice with a business advisor and a free 3 day start course which includes sessions with hmrc.

All business advisors are all company owners so will give advise from experiense as well.

xxdaisyxx

Do you have a Chamber Of Commerce in your area? They are very good at helping startups.

paulwf

pgilc1 wrote: »

Its very easy to get swept away with the notion of a new business, but you really are going into a market that is dominated on the high street by GAME, Gamestation etc, and a customer base that is moving more and more towards internet suppliers (of even direct game downloads)

I see even Game are doing itunes and farmville gift cards which must be hard for them to swallow.

I know next to nothing about games retailing but my key line of investigation before going any further would be the supply chain. I wouldn't be surprised if the supply of consoles and premium games are restricted to the big boys...at least if you want them on the day of release and at a sensible price. I could be wrong, but it wouldn't surprise me if you struggle to open key accounts.

JonnyY_2

I would definitely recommend Business Link (where you can search grant schemes by sector or location). You could also try sites like Startups.co.uk which have some more general advice/suggestions about potential sources of grants/funding!