Setting Up Limited Company With Multiple Trading Names

[V8RX7]

A friend who's previously ran a drainage franchise wants to go into business with me - him doing emergency plumbing and drainage, me running the office.

As I've only ever been self employed and want to limit my liability if he screws up, it seems to make sense to start a Limited Co. which seems straightforward.

Is there an issue with setting up multiple trading names as it seems the best way get emergency plumbing work in say Slough is to call yourself "Slough Emergency Plumbers" and in Banbury "Banbury Emergency Plumbers" etc

Can I then do one set of books as they are all the same company or does this cause issues ?

Any other suggestions for starting up an emergency plumbing / drainage business are welcome, I have an IT mate who can build us websites.

[LDN]

No problem doing as you've described: Such And Such Limited T/A Slough Emergency Plumbers. TA being trading as; it's the same as if you're running as a sole trader but the limited company is in this case taking on other names. Check names for other usage though - that they are clear to use.

[V8RX7]

Thanks that's what I thought.

I was just using those names as an example we have a few in mind which surprisingly haven't been taken - I've just googled for names say "Banbury Emergency Drainage" and if nothing comes up I presume that means no one is using it which thinking about it may not be the case, is there an accessible list ?

[Eric Mc]

Business names are not "registered" in any way - so there is no central registry as such.

[V8RX7]

Eric Mc said:

Business names are not "registered" in any way - so there is no central registry as such.

Thanks - I'll stick with Plan A - google.

[LDN]

No list as such - but check the companies house list of limited company names and also the list of registered TMs.

http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk//wcframe?name=ac...
https://www.ipo.gov.uk/tmtext.htm

As well, you'd be surprised how many one man bands have no web presence and so may be worth digging deeper like in local yellow pages (or similar).

[Eric Mc]

LDN said:

No list as such - but check the companies house list of limited company names and also the list of registered TMs.

http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk//wcframe?name=ac...
https://www.ipo.gov.uk/tmtext.htm

As well, you'd be surprised how many one man bands have no web presence and so may be worth digging deeper like in local yellow pages (or similar).

That's a different check. The OP is setting up a limited company first. Part of the process of setting up a limited company is ensuring that a company with an identical name does not already exist. Companies House won't allow two companies to have identical names.

Once the company is set up, then the OP wants to be able to use a variety of "trading as" type business names. On that score, there is no legal restriction on using names that already exist - although any other business already using a similar name can raise a complaint if they feel that some other individual or business is trying to "pass themselves off" as another business or capitalise on someone else's trading title.

[V8RX7]

Thanks gents that's cleared it up.

[marshalla]

Eric Mc said:

Once the company is set up, then the OP wants to be able to use a variety of "trading as" type business names. On that score, there is no legal restriction on using names that already exist - although any other business already using a similar name can raise a complaint if they feel that some other individual or business is trying to "pass themselves off" as another business or capitalise on someone else's trading title.

However, it does make sense to try to avoid using anything identical, or too similar to, an existing name in order to avoid the hassle of dealing with passing off complaints and the cost of having to establish a new brand if the complaint is upheld.

Fortunately, most small businesses without web presences do seem to have listings in the online directories which set up to try to sell them websites and other services.

[Eric Mc]

As I said.

[LDN]

Eric Mc said:

LDN said:

No list as such - but check the companies house list of limited company names and also the list of registered TMs.

http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk//wcframe?name=ac...
https://www.ipo.gov.uk/tmtext.htm

As well, you'd be surprised how many one man bands have no web presence and so may be worth digging deeper like in local yellow pages (or similar).

That's a different check. The OP is setting up a limited company first. Part of the process of setting up a limited company is ensuring that a company with an identical name does not already exist. Companies House won't allow two companies to have identical names.

Once the company is set up, then the OP wants to be able to use a variety of "trading as" type business names. On that score, there is no legal restriction on using names that already exist - although any other business already using a similar name can raise a complaint if they feel that some other individual or business is trying to "pass themselves off" as another business or capitalise on someone else's trading title.

Yes, my point stands: I'm aware that you can't even register a LTD co if the same name already exists - so I meant for the TA names... why not do a check and avoid any bother? Makes sense to me. And I know someone who came a cropper down to this very issue. They felt that it was 'only' a TA name so there'll be no worries... but they ended up in a saga not worth the time and effort to resolve.

OP: Even your TA name is worth running passed the usual checks - to see if you'll be stepping on any toes IMO.