With National Work from Home Day, on May 18 2007, set to highlight the *2.3 million people currently working or based from home, City Business Support (CBS) has seen a shift in its client base. Industries normally perceived as “office-based” but now increasingly conducted from home need the reception support and administrative and accounting services that a virtual office can provide.

New legislation, effective from January 1, 2007, requires businesses to publicise full contact details on their websites and email footers, leading to a new demand for business addresses and accompanying back office support. Tim Hasney, director at City Business Support, says: “The days of virtual companies with websites that offered no physical address or just a PO box number have gone. The law and good business practice have both led to a sharp rise in businesses needing to have a properly constituted professional base.

“Our clients were traditionally in the professions – one man band surveyors, solicitors, accountants etc. Nowadays we’re working with recruitment consultants, architects, web designers and others – entrepreneurs and home workers who require a professional image and the back-up of a physical office without the expense and administrative headaches.”

CBS acts as a receptionist, PA, credit control and accounts team together with payroll and HR or back office for businesses. Hasney adds: “Recent statistics from the Department of Trade and Industry show that in the last ten years 600,000 small businesses have been created in the UK. It’s these types of companies that need the support and professionalism that City Business Support can provide, so that they can concentrate on their core activity of making the new business a success.”

For further information visit www.citybs.co.uk or call 0808 118 1513.

*Figures from TUC Labour Force Survey (spring 2005).

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