Many people dream about setting up a business or launching an invention, but go no further because they do not know where to start.

Free help is at hand, five days a week, from a business adviser in Borehamwood, who has given advice on the setting up of various businesses, from martial arts and websites to mobile hairdressers, IT and personnel consultants and maintenance workers.

Wenta adviser Mick Dobson who is based at Worknet in Shenley Road and has five years' experience of giving business advice can also help businesses sort out problems or expand. His assistance is mainly for small to medium-sized companies, with up to around 100 employees.

He said of new ventures: "About two-thirds fail, but if people come in for free advice, the fact they have talked it through with someone else shows they are thinking and, if they do set up, they have a significantly better chance of succeeding."

"The most common request is: 'Help me with a business plan', and 'I need a loan'," he added.

There are free courses on aspects of business like: bookkeeping, marketing, communication, customer service, selling, tax, VAT, working from home, employing people and how to do a business plan.

A free tax surgery, with advice from an accountant, is held every Tuesday, and a free legal surgery is held once a month.

For budding inventors there is advice on various aspects of launching a product, including patents and copyrights.

Mr Dobson, who at the start of April replaced a one-day-a-week service, stressed advice was impartial, confidential and free.

Wenta also has units for businesses to rent in Potters Bar and Watford, for which people pay a month's rent and refundable deposit, of a month's rent, when they move in, but there is no lease.

There is also advice for sixth-formers, and to people under 31 on how to access the Prince's Trust for funding for new businesses.

For more information call Mr Dobson during office hours on 0870 8700891. Wenta is partly funded by rents from its units and the Government.

May 7, 2003 16:00