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A regular column providing answers to your legal questions
Q I’m starting a new business and I’m not sure whether to open a bricks-and- mortar shop or exclusively sell online – which is best?
As ecommerce goes from strength to strength, it would be easy for entrepreneurs to think that opening an online business is the only sensible choice. However, it has been proven time and time again that people engage with people. Face-to-face business still works, and opening a physical base is still a valid option, with some hugely-successful online businesses opening brick-and- mortar stores to meet consumers’ needs.
Both options are viable choices and it is important to consider the perks and pitfalls of each to pick the best for your business.
Perks of creating an online business include: low ‘rent’, ie your domain and website creation; low expenses, given the frequent lack of physical office space;
and, quite possibly, a lack of any of your own goods or services (think AirBnB, Uber or eBay, which provide a platform for others to sell goods and services). On the other hand, high-street stores can offer a more personal shopping experience to customers, allowing them to try products on, or out, before buying.
Entrepreneurs must be wary of the pitfalls of both models. With ecommerce, you must fulfil your GDPR obligations, and online shoppers are becoming increasingly unsure of providing personal information, with growing numbers limiting the amount of data they share with the companies they buy from. On the other hand, opening a physical shop may incur SDLT, council tax, business rates and/or rent and the cost of stock. Both, however, will likely require the employment of staff, requiring the payment of wages and implementation of policies and handbooks.
Blandy & Blandy LLP named as top-ranked firm
Award-winning firm Blandy & Blandy LLP has again been named as a top Tier firm in the 2020 edition of Chambers UK Guide
The firm is top ranked for ‘planning’ and ‘environment’ and highly recommended for ‘real estate’. Partners Karen Jones, Jane Gunell, Katja Wiigham and John Dingle are all individually recommended, as is consultant Simon Dimmick.
Blandy & Blandy is described as a “strong regional practice”, with an “impressive” team that is “always available” and “never fails to deliver”. The firm is further credited for being a “longstanding, highly-regarded, professional firm that offers excellent advice at competitive fee rates.”
Mock Employment Tribunal focuses on whistleblowing
Blandy & Blandy’s leading employment law team welcomed over 100 HR and business professionals to its Mock Employment Tribunal, held at Reading’s Green Park Conference Centre, on October 15.
‘Performed’ by the firm’s employment law team, with partner Sue Dowling acting as the ‘judge’, the mock tribunal portrayed a whistleblowing case.
Before delivering her verdict, guests were invited to vote using the mobile devices
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businessmag.co.uk
on the predicted outcomes and final decision.
Also involved in proceedings were partners Tim Clark and Claire Dyer, associate solicitor Laura Binnie and solicitor Andrea Corr.
Attendees described the event as “excellent”, “interesting and informative”, “engaging and illuminating”, “fantastic” and “very well presented with questions answered thoroughly”.
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019
Charlotte Newlyn, solicitor 01895 207916
charlotte.newlyn@
ibblaw.co.uk ibblaw.co.uk
No matter how you choose to run your business, it is key that all retailers adapt as times and trends change. Whether you plan to trade online or on the high street, setting up your own business is exciting, but it can be daunting. It is imperative that you obtain good legal advice every step of the way, so that you can be sure that you are running your business properly.
Submit your questions for the next edition to:
askibb@ibblaw.co.uk
Firm’s development land seminar proves popular
Blandy & Blandy welcomed guests to its popular development land seminar featuring guest speakers from Haslams Chartered Surveyors and planning consultants, Pegasus Group on October 17.
Partners Katja Wigham, Jane Gunnell (commercial property) and Karen Jones (planning and environmental) were joined by Steven Smith, senior partner at Haslams Chartered Surveyors, and Nick Kirby, a director based at Pegasus Group’s Bracknell office.
Topics included judicial review, amendments to planning permission, viability and the extensive deal documentation involved.
The event welcomed guests representing landowners, property developers, local authorities, educational institutions and professional services firms.
blandy.co.uk
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