 |
OBJECT ID=13040393, method=default | Q: In order to sell a commercial lease quickly I agreed to my landlords
demands of a rent increase backdated for the previous three years, is it
possible to for me to get my 6k back from them? They are a leading letting
agency in Liverpool city.David Tabinor of Weightman Vizards replies: Assuming the sale or assignment has been completed, your right to recover the £6,000 paid to the landlord depends upon the legal basis upon which it was made. This could hinge on the terms of the lease or any document formalising the payment. If the lease allows for rent increases to be
backdated or if payment was made as a lawfully imposed condition of the landlord's consent to the assignment, you may have no right to be repaid the £6,000. If the rent increase was unlawful, your chances of repayment are improved, although the right to sue may have passed to the new tenant on assignment" We could of course be happy to advise further with sight of the relevant documentation and specific details of the transaction.
Q: What is the success rate for businesses starting up in the Merseyside area, and how do start ups here generally compare to other parts of the country? What tend to be the main indusrties for new new business development in the area? Paul Rittenberg of Business Link for Greater Merseyside replies: A useful reference in relation to this question is the following extract from The Mersey Partnership's Economic Review, which can be found on the following website www.merseyside.org.uk.
"A useful means of defining entrepreneurship is by the number of new business starts per 10,000 residents. By this definition, Merseyside has fewer business start-ups (30 per 10,000 residents) than the North West (32.1) and the UK (36.8) and therefore seems to indicate entrepreneurship is at a lower level. However, scrutinising this further and comparing the 2001 rate of business start-up as a proportion of the size of Merseyside's existing business stock, at 13.3%, it out-performs the North West (10.9%) and the UK (10.5%) along with all other "city regions." So although Merseyside has a smaller business base than similar regions, the local economy is just as effective. The level of start-ups in Merseyside has actually grown more than most other areas over the last 5 years (exceeding the NW and UK average) with particular growth in the Financial and Business Services, Hotels and Restaurants, indicating a growth in consumer led demand and business to business. Finally, businesses on Merseyside now have a greater likelihood of survival in the early years compared to the North West and UK. Indeed, although the Merseyside business survival rates were below the NW and UK in the mid nineties, Merseyside businesses have actually superceded the NW and UK averages for one and three year survival rates." Another useful website to obtain further information about this subject area is www.statistics.gov.uk. Q: I have filed for patent on a new type of spirit level which will make it easier for D.I.Y.-ers or training bricklayers. Where do I go for help in developing my invention? Mike Collins of J.M. Collins Associates replies: This is not a subject for a simple answer. Firstly, have letters patent been granted?
Has the inventor checked to see that the idea is novel enough to be granted a patent.
Does the inventor have a life size model or prototype. Has the inventor identified how the first 50 or so units will be made, what each will cost?
Has the inventor identified how they will sell large quantities?
What approaches has the inventor made to Inventors Clubs? BE CAREFUL, DO NOT
PART WITH MONEY TO ANYONE AND BE SUSPICIOUS OF ANYONE OFFERING TO HELP DEVELOP THE PRODUCT.
It is possible that the inventor could get a grant from the DTI to develop the idea further?
What resources does the inventor have for development work?
If the inventor would like a confidential no cost discussion for 2 hours, I would be prepared to see them.
Q: I am into my second year of business and am desparately wishing to open a second salon. The first one has gone better than expected and I feel the business has a huge potential to work in almost every city in England. (www.scissor-kicks.co.uk) I have already had a company on wishing to set the business up to be franchised but they were asking for £20,000 to do so. I have also looked around for premises in other locations which are perfect for a barbershop but I am finding the rents too high (£10-25,000 per annum) What would you suggest would be the best way for me to expand?
| 
