London and the south-east are undeniably the beating business heart of the UK, but that does not mean that cities elsewhere in the country are not a valuable part of that same economic circulatory system.

If London is the heart, then the major economic centres of the north-west – including Liverpool and Manchester – are arguably the lungs of the system, providing a breath of fresh air, and a different way of doing business compared with the stress and claustrophobia of the capital.

With a lower cost of living – and a lower cost of employing staff – there are plenty of positive reasons to base your business or new branch office in the north-west, and here are a few thoughts on how to do so, without any unforeseen hiccups.

Choosing your location

Your ideal location may depend in part on the type of business you are setting up; Liverpool’s coastal position is ideal for companies that need to import or export large quantities of goods by sea, while Manchester is well connected by road to the north, south and east across the Pennines.

If you are setting up a small business, or planning to work as a sole trader, it may be less significant where you are in business terms, but could have a big impact on your future happiness, so make sure you choose an area where you will be happy to live for some considerable period of time.

Local lawyers can advise you on all aspects of establishing your business, from acquiring premises to work from, to conveyancing on your new home, if you are just moving to the region on an individual basis as well.

Getting help

Take a look at QualitySolicitors north-west England page to see a selection of local lawyers who are likely to have specialist knowledge of the region’s business landscape, and how to successfully position a new firm within it.

A good solicitor should be able to tell you whether any specific licences are needed – for instance, if you want to host any kind of public entertainment on your premises – and how to go about applying for these.

Your solicitor may be able to go into even greater detail, helping you to identify applications that have succeeded or failed in the past, so that you have the best chance of being approved for whatever business activities you wish to carry out.

Dissolving a business

If you decide to dissolve your business, a local solicitor can again advise you on the best way to proceed, so that all of the loose ends are tied up and you do not face any unexpected shocks further down the line.

Remember, ending an existing business in the correct legal manner can influence whether or not you are allowed to run another company later on in your career, as well as treating your suppliers, customers and creditors fairly if you are declaring insolvency, so it is an important aspect to get right first time.