Starting a Business
...finding your feet...
The tourism industry can not only be lucrative and successful but also one of the most rewarding and satisfying sectors to work in. Whether it be running an idyllic countryside B&B or creating a sophisticated urban hotel, you can create an unequalled life for yourself, wherever you want to be.
If you are planning on starting up a new accommodation business, whether it is a B&B, Guest House, Hotel, Self Catering let, Camping/Caravan Site, or one of many other types of accommodation business there are a number of considerations that you will need to aware of.
Complying with Regulations and Legislation
The following list comprises the main regulatory requirements that you should be aware of. This is not an exhaustive list but it is a useful starting point.
- Planning consent
Whenever you are starting any new business it is sensible to contact the town planning and building control departments at your local council to ensure that what you intend to do is permissible under planning regulations. You may or may not need to apply for planning permission. Many small B&Bs and temporary caravan/camping sites do not need to apply for permission. However, you should never take this for granted. Even if you are buying a going concern it is worth a short phone call to double check that the existing operators have the correct permissions.
- Environmental Health
If you intend to prepare food for your customers, even if it is just toast and fruit, you will need to contact and register with the Environmental Health department at your local authority for the correct permissions to do so.
- Business Rates
In most instances tourism businesses will be liable for Business Rates. You should contact your local council for information on registering. There is one exception to this and that is B&B’s where there are less than six bed spaces. These small B&Bs that are run in people’s homes are not liable for Business Rates – owners and operators only need to pay Council Tax. All other forms of tourist accommodation business, including self-catering, are required to pay Business Rates.
- Health and Safety
All business operators/managers are required to conduct a Health and Safety Risk Assessment of their properties. Advice and templates can be downloaded from the HSE website. This risk assessment will be a requirement for your insurance company and if there is an accident on your premises the lack of a risk assessment would be a sign of negligence on your part. Some of the actions that should be completed regularly are Portable Appliance Testing and gas boiler testing. Another element of Health and Safety is the sensible requirement to have a fully stocked first aid kit on the premises.
- Fire Safety
In the past, most businesses were required to have a Fire Certificate that was issued by the local Fire and Rescue Service. Small B&Bs were exempt from these regulations. The regulations were amended in 2006 and now all businesses, including small B&Bs, are required to complete a Fire Risk Assessment and ensure that they are compliant with national fire regulations. Contact your local Fire and Rescue Service for more information. As with the requirement for planning permission, if you are buying an existing business, it is sensible to ensure that the building is compliant with present regulations before you buy. It can be very expensive to bring a non-compliant business up to scratch. For more information see the Fire Risk Assessment pages at: http://www.tourismsoutheast.com/development/fire-regulations
- Employment Regulations
Many tourism businesses get by without directly employing any staff members. However the majority will employ some people in service positions. You should be aware of all necessary legislation, including National Minimum Wage, Annual Holiday Leave Entitlement, the required break periods, acceptable working conditions, discrimination regulations, etc.
More information can be found on the Direct Gov website at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/index.htm
- Licensing
If you intend to sell alcohol for consumption either on or off the premises you will need a licence from your local council to do so. There are fees for the licence and you will need to apply even if it is only for a ‘one-off’ event.
- Consumer Protection Regulations
Regulations to protect consumers are enshrined in the Consumer Protection Regulations 2008. You must not make any misleading comments or include any untrue suggestions in your advertising collateral that would lead a customer to make a purchase that they would not make otherwise. One example would be a suggestion that you have a four star establishment if this was not true.
- Performing Right Society/TV Licensing
If you are providing TVs for guests or playing music via any outlet including radios, you will need an extra TV licence and a licence from the Performing Right Society.
http://www.prsformusic.com/Pages/default.aspx
- Equality Act 2010
Tourism business operators are required to treat everyone accessing their goods, facilities or services fairly, regardless of their age, gender, race, sexual orientation, disability, gender reassignment, religion or belief, and guard against making assumptions about the characteristics of individuals.
More information can be found at http://www.tourismsoutheast.com/development/equality-act
Member benefits
One of the many benefits available to members of Tourism South East is access to legal advice if you encounter any difficulties, preferential rates on insurance, and assistance with generating business through our advertising campaigns and a listing on The Beautiful South website.
For more information on membership and the vast array of membership benefits that you could be enjoying go to http://www.tourismsoutheast.com/membership or call Daniel Holmes on 023 8062 5449.
Business Advice Handbook
...Practical Advice for New and Existing Businesses...
Whether you're thinking about setting up a Bed & Breakfast Business Advice Handbookin your home or need some help to grow your Self-Catering operation, our Advice Handbook will guide you and your business through the whole process.
Our Business Advice Handbook will guide you through the process of setting up and running tourist accommodation. From understanding the legal concerns to promoting to the right audience, it's important to know what you are doing, or at least know where to find the right information. The Business Advice Handbook provides this and much more besides, all in an easy to read format.
Order a copy of the Business Advice Handbook using the
From understanding the legal concerns of your venture to promoting it to the right audience, it is important to know what you are doing, or at least know where to find the right information. The Business Advice Handbook provides this and much more besides, all in an easy to read format. The handbook is categorised so it can be used as a reference tool in the future and a regular update service will be provided to purchasers whenever there are changes in legislation or contact details.
The Handbook covers topics including;
- Finance
- Planning
- Legislation & Regulations (recently updated and expanded)
- Quality Assurance
- Marketing & Promotion
- Tourism industry structure
- Support services from TSE
- Case Studies
The Business Advice Handbook is available for only £20 including postage & packing (£10 for TSE members) and can be ordered using the form below.
How To Order
To order the Business Advice Handbook, please complete the Publications Order Form 
and post, fax or email (with payment details) to;
- Development Publication Orders, Tourism South East, 40 Chamberlayne Rd, Eastleigh, Hants, SO50 5JH,
- Fax: (023) 8061 2678, or;
- Email the Development Team
Accommodation Know How
Accommodation KnowHow is the online legislation guidance from VisitBritain. 'Legislation for Tourist Accommodation' the print version of this resource and this is available from VisitBritain as an added extra to the on-line service.
- One year's online access is available for £26 (inc. VAT)
- One year's online access + Legislation for Tourist Accommodation is available for £30.99 (inc. VAT).
For further information visit www.accommodationknowhow.co.uk
