WildStar HR

I've used them for a few years - everything from boiler servicing to emergency leaking pipes! They're corgi registered, reasonably priced and I've always had good service from them.

The guys who run Abbot's Cookshop on Abbeydale Road really know their stuff. I'd always bought cheap knives from ikea that never stayed sharp or the handles fell off. I bought two from Abbot's a few months back, which did cost more than I’d spent previously but they're made to last. I was given a lesson in keeping them sharp and maintained plus a cup of tea - now that's service!

Eak - your credit card is likely to be an expensive way to borrow money! Have you thought of maybe asking your bank if you can have a temporary overdraft or overdraft extension to cover it instead? Might work out cheaper for you...

...and what happened to the mother's choice may I ask? If two people decide to have children then it's a joint responsibility, both financially and in terms of spending time with them as they grow up. Anyway, back to the point in question... I think that 6 years is a long time for the maintenance payments to just stay the same. There's inflation to account for, plus as the kids get older, their needs change and they inevitably become more expensive to clothe, feed and look after. Perhaps it's worth suggesting to your ex that now is a good time for you both to sit down and have a chat about their ongoing maintenance payments and childcare? He might increase the payments slightly or agree to pay half for large one-off costs like passports etc. I think it's a bit rude of him to just cut down on the time he spends with them without even discussing it with you and just assuming that you'll be okay with it! Perhaps while you're at it you should revise that agreement as well. He probably has less free time if he's got a new family but he must be able to work out a compromise surely? Remember that you're entitled to have time for a new life as well!

asmellyfishtankfull of terrapins

Grrr, I’m sick to death with the ISP that’s currently hosting my website. I regularly loose email, including orders from customers that go astray and they never inform me beforehand about maintenance that they do which affects the availability of my site. On top of that, in the last few days they’ve changed the permissions on some of my files and I’ve just about had enough! Can anybody recommend a good, reliable ISP for website/email hosting that they’ve had good experiences with? Cheap would be good too but it’s service and reliability that’s most important.

Sheffield Enterprise Agency helped me out a lot when I was starting out: http://www.senta.co.uk/ As for business insurance, most companies will quote for everything that you need in one policy i.e. buildings insurance, public liability, cover for employees. They'll take you through a check list when you call up for a quote and you can just pick which bits that you need and estimate the value of cover that you require. The business and economy part of the council website is quite useful if you're unsure about licensing etc: http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/business-economy You'll also find links on there regarding health and safety/fire officer checks etc. Good luck with your new venture!

I use a bamboo one that I got in the Chinese grocers on London Road a few years back. Cost less than a fiver and I've never boiled another vegetable since!

I've used Challenger on Rutland Road and they were very cheap and seemed pretty efficient. I couldn't tell you what types of tyres they supply though (erm…black ones...?)

I've used 'Very PC' in Hillsborough, who provide a similar service. They were absolutely brilliant, so if you can start a support business as good as that, you won't go far wrong!

He he, I didn't personally but here were plenty that did! I was on I floor in '94/'95 and met my best friends during that time. The building is as ugly as sin but living like that forged friendships in the face of adversity!

I'll be really sad to see it go. I was a student there too and it might be grim to look at but I had amazing views out over the Peak District from my room on the 8th floor. Having all the accomodation in one block meant you could wander down to the bar in your slippers as well

Your mum would be perfect! All they really have to do is sign your annual return once a year. You're supposed to have minuted meetings and stuff but it doesn't really apply when you're the only shareholder of the company - what you say goes!

Yup, it's legal. You set up a company in which you're company director and also the only employee. You'll also have to appoint a company secretary. The aim is to pay tax as a company, rather than as an individual. It's 'tax avoidance' rather than 'tax evasion' - which would be illegal! Also, if you're invoicing for more than the VAT threshold per year, then you'll also have to register for VAT and pay that once a quarter (you'll charge VAT on top of your rate). I think the current threshold is about £61,000, so you'd be over that if you're raking in £350 per day. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ will give you all you need to know about VAT.

It's absolutely worth it. I contracted for 4 1/2 years and saved enough money to enable me to start up my own business. There are a few points you have to be aware of though: 1. Get a good accountant who specialises in managing IT contractors. If you end up getting stung for too much tax then it's not worth the hassle and you might as well be permie. Email me if you want me to provide a name. Read up about IR35 and make sure that you can fulfil the criteria to fall outside of the ruling. 2. Make sure that you put money aside for those times when you're looking for work - don't always assume you'll get renewed. I used to save 60% of what I invoiced for to account for tax/holidays/time spent looking for work. 3. Be prepared to travel. I had to get up at 6am every morning and drive over to Manchester when I had contracts for IBM/AstraZeneca. 4. Be aware that you can't take the p*ss as much at work as if you were a permanent employee – you have to be very disciplined. You're getting paid a lot of money, so if you want to get renewed show the company that they're getting their monies worth and don't waste their time. 5. I know you might think you're too young to think about it but it's worth setting up a stakeholder pension as well when you're contracting but your accountant can advise on that. 6. Don't let accountants/agencies try to charge you hundreds of pounds for setting up a limited company on your behalf. Companies House: http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk will have all the information you need to do it yourself - cost you about £50. Good luck!

Genius! Although they might try and fine you for littering... If you can get away with it, then it might be worth sticking some to the pavement outside of a gig where you think a similar crowd will be. That way, you can get them to see the posters when they come out of the venue. You could even be onhand with some flyers, just to make your point a bit more!

I think it's about 6 hours. Nope not been before but it's near the top of my places to visit next! Have got friends that have been and resally enjoyed it.

How about Dubai? Not as far to travel but guaranteed sunshine!

I'd contact the planning office at the council to find out where you're allowed to put posters - they might be able to give you some suggestions on where it's legal to place them. Are the posters to advertise your own band? Let us know what kind of music it is, therefore what kind of market you're chasing and we can some up with some more 'tailored' suggestions on where might be good to advertise.

I've got two mobiles on Orange, one personal one business and I can ring one from the other one, so all okay on Orange in S7 . Could just be a problem with certain transmitters?

I swam with dolphins in New Zealand last year. There's a small town called Kaikoura on the Eastern coast of the South Island where they do regular expeditions. It's great because the dolphins are completely wild and the company that run the tours don't use bait or anything to tempt them into shore or towards the boat. The dolphins were curious first of all but they soon got bored of us all because we couldn't keep up with their swimming!

I work on Neepsend Lane (but not that kind of work)

Or make the olives come to you: http://www.olivesetal.co.uk/products/stuffed-olives/ It's a bit outside of Sheffiled but they sell the same brand on the deli counter at Chatsworth Fram Shop as well.

I used it on a small area of my old kitchen tiles and it looked absolutely pants. It does scratch easily and doesn't give a nice shiny gloss finish like you get with tiles. Save your money and just re-tile with some cheap white tiles!

Great idea. I have a few friends who live in Riverside Exchange and they often complain that they have to drive even to get a pint of milk. There are lots of new student flats going up over the road as well, so the market in that area is definitely on the increase. You'd also get a lot of lunchtime trade from the Irwin Mitchell offices and the Law Courts if you did nice lunches. I'd do some foot fall calculations to see exactly how many people are walking past that vacant retail unit at the base of Coode. It's dull sitting there counting people but it's the best way to work out if a location is actually lively enough to be viable. You could also do with doing an assessment of the competition – there are a couple of sandwich shops on Mowbray St – one of which has only just opened plus the Riverside Pub does lunches. Go in and see how busy they all are and what they’re offering. You should also contact Sheffield Enterprise Agency http://www.senta.co.uk/ to help you with a business plan. They offer free advice and help when you're just beginning with a new venture. Good luck to you!