Does business name have to be the same as limited name ?

[Davers2k]

HI,

Im looking into moving from being a sole trader to a limited company.

Does my Limited company name have to be EXACTLY the same as my actual business name ?

ie - ( purely hypothetical) if my current trading as name was "Rose Seller" but when forming my limited company i thought in the future i may want to sell other flowers so ill call my company "Rose Seller & Wedding Flowers ltd" could my website etc still show my old trading as name ?

thanks in advance for any answers

 

[Ian J]

It doesn't have to be anything like your trading name and your example will work just fine

 

[Rehan Durrani]

As above, 'Limited Company' name does not necessarily have to be the same as the 'trading name'.

Just make sure the trading name doesn't go against 'The Business Names Act 1985'. In short avoid using a trading name which has already been taken by another company and possibly has a trademark registration.

 

[Davers2k]

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated

 

[Alan]

Absolutely as above.

 

[TODonnell]

The format is 'SomeName Ltd t/a SomeThingElse'
SomeThingElse can't have Ltd after it, when you advertise it.

SomeName and SomethingElse can be completely different names.

Personally, I've come 'round to the idea that names "Rose Seller & Wedding Flowers Ltd" shouldn't ever be used to actually advertise a business. Descriptive names are not memorable. They tell what you're offering immediately (good), but people can't pass on the name of your company, because they can't remember it.

'Petals From Mary' might work better. Or 'FloraFantastic'. Just my 2p.