Tourism Business Support Pack Destination Worcestershire in conjunction with Worcestershire.Business.Central is pleased to be able to offer a wide range of services and business advice for all sizes of tourism businesses, whether you are a sole proprietor or a large tourism employer.
regulatory guidance and fire regulations. The Pack will also inform you about quality assurance schemes, planning regulations, fire regulations, Brown and White Tourist signposting, as well as providing marketing advice.
This Tourism Business Support Pack will If we cannot help you, then we will signpost provide information on government legislation you in the right direction towards the correct including; employment law, planning regulations, government organisation.
Legislation & Regulation
There are numerous legal obligations and regulatory requirements attached to running a business, and these are accompanied by a vast array of ‘best practice’ issues to address. If you are encountering difficulties keeping up-to-date with legislation, use the links and tools below to ensure you consistently have access to the most current information.
Business Advice
For information about starting up and running a business in the UK, including help if you are a sole trader or self-employed, please visit www.gov.uk/browse/business or www. business-central.co.uk/info/22/starting_up
Business Support
Worcestershire.Business.Central (WBC) is a single point of access for all business information and support, making it clear and simple for businesses to access and find the help they need. WBC has a dedicated phone line and website with account managers to help guide businesses to the services that meet their needs whether it is funding, help to start a business, business premises, support for a growing business or training. Visit the website www.business-central.co.uk or contact at info@business-central.co.uk tel: 0300 123 1440
Funding Networking
Business Support Skills
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Brought to you by over 20 organisations www.business-central.co.uk 0300 123 14 40
Food Standards Agency
Whether you are a restaurant or cafe owner, butcher or farmer, this section has all the guidance you need to produce food safely. The Food Standards Agency is concerned with the whole food industry, from farming, food production and distribution, to catering and retail. It addresses food safety issues at each phase of the chain, providing information on legislation and best practice requirements. Please visit www.food.gov.uk/business-industry/guidancenotes
Safer Food Better Business
Safer food, better business (SFBB) is a practical and innovative approach to food safety management, designed to help small businesses implement food safety management procedures and comply with food hygiene regulations. Please visit www.food.gov.uk/ business-industry
New Food Legislation
According to the New Allergen Regulations introduced by the EU commencing 13th December 2014, all UK food service providers will be required to accurately record, track and communicate to the public fourteen of the most common foods which cause allergic reactions. Food service providers will be most affected by the Regulations, including festival caterers, hotels and restaurants and motorway service stations. View guidance for businesses on The Food Standards Agency website: www.food.gov.uk/ business-industry/allergy-guide
Equality Act
Download The Food Standards Agency’s Technical Guide detailing food allergen labelling requirements: www.food.gov.uk/sites/ default/files/food-allergen-labelling-technical-guidance.pdf
On 1st October 2010 the Government introduced the Equality Act. This Act replaced the Disability Discrimination Acts of 1995 and 2005 and aims to strengthen the legislation around discrimination while simultaneously making it easier for businesses to comply with the law. Please visit www.gov.uk/government/ policies/creating-a-fairer-and-more-equal-society
Health & Safety
Good practice in health and safety Health and Safety Executive is good for your business – and it’s the law. The HSE provides online advice and guidance, and their website provides tools to help businesses understand what they need to do to evaluate and control risks in the workplace and comply with health and safety legislation. Although written with small businesses in mind, the site is relevant to all businesses of all sizes. Please visit www.hse.gov.uk
Help and Advice from HM Revenue & Customs
HMRC provide support and information on National Insurance and tax issues for small and medium businesses. To this end they have created free e-learning sessions that cover: • Starting in business • What can I claim against my income?
• Registering your self employment • VAT registration
• What records should I keep? • Becoming an employer
Topic areas are devised in a way that makes them easily accessible and possible to undertake in bite size pieces. Incorporated are videos and learning checks, as well as links to further advice on YouTube and the GOV.UK website. Please visit www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-webinars-email-alerts-and-videos
Accommodation Know How
Written especially for accommodation providers, by VisitEngland, this book makes complying with legislation and keeping up to date with changes easy. The book is available to purchase from VisitEngland, please contact feedback@visitengland.org.
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Fire Risk Assessments
Fire safety matters. Knowing the risks and how to minimise or remove them ensures that you are protecting your guests, family, property and staff. All accommodation providers have to comply with the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005. In order to do this, all businesses must carry out a fire risk assessment. VisitEngland provides guidance on Fire Regulations, as well as a Fire Risk Assessment Template. Please visit www.visitengland.org/busdev/bussupport/legislation/fire.asp
Accommodation Quality Schemes
It makes good business sense to have a quality grading system with evidence demonstrating that quality graded accommodation performs far better in relation to profitability and occupancy as opposed to non-graded facilities. There are two quality schemes available to accommodation providers in Worcestershire: Quality in Tourism www.qualityintourism.com
The AA www.theaa.com/ hotel/hotel-servicesaccommodationschemes.html
Accessibility
Under the 2010 Equality Act businesses are required to make their company as accessible as possible to customers by making reasonable training and adjustments to staff. Please visit www.visitengland.org/busdev/accreditation/nas
Worcestershire Regulatory Services
Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) provide a County wide service for issues relating to Trading Standards, Environmental Health and Licensing. WRS is a shared service acting on behalf Worcestershire County Council, Redditch Borough Council, Bromsgrove District Council, Wyre Forest District Council, Worcester City Council, Malvern Hills District Council and Wychavon District Council. WRS aims to provide an unique and accessible services to both Consumers and Businesses in Worcestershire. Worcestershire Regulatory Services vision is to make Worcestershire a healthy, safe and fair place to live, where businesses can thrive. Please visit www.worcsregservices.gov.uk
Visitor Attraction Quality Schemes There are two opportunities for visitor attractions to demonstrate their commitment to quality and providing an excellent visitor experience. • National Code of Practice for Visitor Attractions • Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS) Please visit www.visitengland.org/busdev/ accreditation/attractions
Destination Worcestershire offers a Green Tourism Tool Kit for the Worcestershire tourism industry. It enables businesses to benchmark their green tourism practices. Please visit www.visitworcestershire.org/greentoolkit Once a business has followed certain steps in green tourism practices, they will be eligible to obtain accreditation in the Green Tourism Business Scheme. Please visit www.green-tourism.com
Go Green!
The impact of going green can be far-reaching for even the smallest of businesses. An increasing number of consumers are making ‘green friendly’ decisions about how to spend their money. Green Tourism is recognised by UK national and regional government as a crucial part of its drive towards sustainability. The aim is to build on this strong position and ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of sustainable tourism in the future whilst extending our work around the world.
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0300 123 14 40
Planning Permission
Planning permission falls under the remit of the borough or county council, district or city council. Which council is responsible is determined by what the planning permission is for. The Worcestershire County Council is responsible for planning applications and lawful development certificates for: • The County Council’s own developments • Waste Developments • Minerals Developments The local borough, city or district council is responsible for most other types of applications including all householder planning applications You can apply online for this type of planning permission using the Planning Portal, which is provided by central government. Please visit www.planningportal.gov.uk
Employment Liability
Businesses must have Employers’ Liability (EL) insurance as soon as you become an employer. The policy must cover you for at least £5 million and come from an authorised insurer. https://www.gov.uk/employers-liability-insurance
Brown and White Signposting
Tourist attractions and facilities are entitled to apply for brown and white tourism signage on the highway. Directional signage is typically available from the nearest main road. Successful applicants will need to be a member of Destination Worcestershire and will need to pay for signage to be erected on the highway through Worcestershire County Council and its contractors. For further information on this process please view the ‘Apply’ section of www.worcestershire.gov.uk If you have any queries about the application process, please speak to Ed Dursley, Project Manager, Worcestershire County Council on 01905 72 8527 or www.worcsregservices.gov.uk
Training
If your business requires any type of training, coaching or consultancy, then the Chamber Training Centre will be able to help. Whether you need a one off course to solve an immediate skills gap or a longer term training provider to deliver a series of training courses, the Chamber Training Centre can meet your needs. All Chamber off the shelf and bespoke training courses are delivered to the highest standards by expert trainers and consultants, and the Chamber Training team are renowned for going the extra mile to ensure all clients and delegates receive a first class service. • HR
• Legislation & Regulation
• IT & Microsoft • Sales & Customer Care www.hwchamber.co.uk/training
Funding Networking
• PR & Marketing.
Business Support Skills
All your business needs. All in one place. Part of the national growth hub network
Brought to you by over 20 organisations www.business-central.co.uk 0300 123 14 40