Information for new Southampton businesses

What you need to do depends on your type of business, where you work and whether you take people on to help. Most businesses register as a sole trader, limited company or partnership.

• Setting up a new business
• Find and check your business rates valuation

Business rates is a way that those who occupy a non-domestic property contribute towards the cost of local services. All occupiers of commercial properties pay business rates. The rate each business pays is based on the rateable value of the property and is worked out by the Valuation Office Agency, part of HM Revenue and Customs.

• Ways to pay your business rates
• How business rates are calculated
• Manage your account online
• Discounts and exemptions
• Small business rates relief

Our commercial services are available to all businesses in Southampton. We have extensive experience of delivering high-quality, reliable services to residents of the city, and can draw on that experience to deliver first-class services to your organisation at competitive rates. In particular, we specialise in providing affordable, local, reliable commercial waste collections.

• Commercial properties to rent or buy
• Commercial waste collection service
• Digital and outdoor advertising opportunities
• Specialised street cleansing
• Pest control for commercial premises
• Tree works and woodland management
• MOTs for businesses

This section will help ensure your business has the necessary licensing if applicable, is fully compliant and offers advice regarding employees.

• Licensing
• Trading standards for businesses
• Register a food business
• Commercial deliveries
• Staff wellbeing at work
• Employers looking for apprenticeships

The following links provide useful information in making Southampton a better place for local businesses. It also provides information for businesses considering relocating and expanding or investors seeking commercial development opportunities.

• Invest in Southampton
• Go! Southampton Business Improvement District (BID)
• Business South
• Hampshire Chamber of Commerce

Stay up to date with all the latest council news and information. If you have any questions, enquiries or problems that can’t be answered by the pages above, there are plenty of ways to have your say and get in touch with us online.

• Invest in Southampton LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Invest in Southampton Twitter
• Sign up for e-alerts