Returning ExPat looking for some advice.

[BhoyInExile]

Hi there folks,

I'm making the bold move back to the UK from the Antipodes next year with the intention of opening 4 businesses over a 5 year time scale - this may seem ambitious, however, they are all in the hospitality sector (one bar, one restaurant, one pub and one food truck) and with 20 years experience in the trade, it should be smooth sailing! *GULP*

I'm slowly trying to get my head round the formation of a business in the UK, it seems quite different to Aussie and NZ, so thought this would be the perfect place to ask for help, advice and tips.

First and foremost, does it make sense in this situation to open up a holding company with each entity added over time...say for example I register a holding/parent company as "Umbrella Co." and the first step of the 5 year plan is to open the bar, let's say it's called "Brolly Bar" do I register that as a separate company or just keep everything under one Ltd company name? If that's the case do I/can I copyright the names of each venue as they open - they will all have separate names, themes etc. Is it even possible to copyright a bars name as a business, or do you name it as you see fit with the company name being entirely different?

Sorry, this is all very basic stuff - it's just quite difficult to get a black and white answer to the process that would make life easiest!

Cheers

 

[Scalloway]

You can start off with a holding company and have each individual business as a separate limited company owned by the holding company. This has the advantage if one business fails it does not bring down the others. The disadvantage is that your running costs can be higher.

You can also have just one company with each business being a trading name. You need to disclose the name of the compnay in all business documentation.

Registering a trademark

https://www.gov.uk/how-to-register-a-trade-mark/apply

I know an NZ accountant who now practices in the UK. The disadvantage is that he lives in the Shetland Islands. If you wish I can PM you his contact details.

 

[BhoyInExile]

Cheers for the info Scalloway, and what a fine part of the world you hail from. As a returning Scot your accountant might be a great shout - so fire the info through.

I have a feeling the holding company probably is the right way to go in this situation, because each business although similar is also completely different - I'm sure if it was a chain of something there would be no need.

Will continue reading away and preparing for the big move back.

Cheers again.

 

[Mark T Jones]

This is the sort of advice you really need to be getting directly from an accountant who is experienced in the leisure sector.

 

[BhoyInExile]

Cheers Mark,

Absolutely agree, but always good to have a gist of what's going on before and during chat's with said accountants. Hunting down a specialist will be the next step.

Cheers

 

[Scalloway]

PM sent.