Donegal or NI

mistermouse

Currently self employed in Donegal and starting a new business, one where I currently have a van but expect to have a lorry soon that I am spending a lot of money on. My own money or borrowed but certainly not grant aided

Going by whats being said locally and what I expect to do I am seriously thinking of continuing to work towards what is essentially a new startup business but setting it up now in Northern Ireland.

I'm currently penalised seriously as self employed but am in what is never referred to as the self employed trap. I will get nothing from the state if all goes wrong and its on egg shells at the best of times.

So, if the new venture goes well and I have put alot of money into it and loans, do I create a business in Donegal or move the whole lot to NI which I can do. It's looking increasingly likely that I should take the whole venture to the North.

I hope to continue to keep myself in employment, which I get [EMAIL="f@@k"]f@@k[/EMAIL] all thanks for to date and take between one and two long term unemployed off the dole at least part time to start off with.

If I have to move North just to make this viable due to taxes, I will do my utmost to make sure that I pay as little as possible to the Irish state and move all my affairs to Northern Ireland

Its some way to run an economy.

If it seems that this is only viable to move northwards then I will seriously spend a hell of a lot of time making sure I spend as little as I can on this side, both personally and from a business point of view, though I will try to employ Donegal people where I can, god knows we need to look after each other, the state has been screwing all of us

cosanostra

Your a brave man setting up a business i think you should weigh up the pros and cons of each area don't let loyalty cloud a business decision good luck with your business sounds like you have the drive and ambition for it anyway

mamakevf

Business is all about keeping running costs to a minimum,and therefore profits up.
Irish Govt. have no loyalty to you or your family.
They certainly will take all your hard earned money and gladly give you nothing in return.
So the choices are;
Stay here and work you balls off for nothing, or
Move a few miles down the road where you will greeted with open arms.
There are no boundaries/borders now you know.
So I say go for it, NOW,and don't be wasting any more of your precious time.

RachaelVO

Couldn't agree more with the fist two posters.

If moving a short distance away, where you will be treated brilliantly for starting up a new business, bringing trade and money into the area as opposed to, we are now going to take all your money via stupid nonsensical fees and taxes. You'd be DAFT not to go to NI, keep your hard earned cash in your own pocket.

It's these fees and taxes that will continue to hinder Irelands growth, and no one can blame you for going to NI, especially as you are starting your own business to improve your own life and that of your family. You owe nobody anything, including an explanation!

.17hmr

i am in agreement with the top three posts .go north and dont look back the way things are here you would be mad to stay .the best of luck to you and hope you do well.:)

muffler

Fair play mistermouse for a bit of "get up and go" so to speak.

Im not sure if this is the right forum for this though. If its just a bit of general debate on the problems with operating a business in Donegal in relation to the cross border issues then its okay. However if its more detailed advice in relation to the business itself then its better off in the Entrepreneurial & Business Management forum

I'll leave it for you to decide but if you want it moved just let me know

mistermouse

I'm really suprised at the responses and thank you all for them.

I have little choice but to forge ahead with setting up as I didn't know that when I went it alone just over a year ago I would be left literally on my own, despite paying prsi etc and not being allowed any tax credits whatsoever I am entitled to nothing from the state, no healthcare or dole of any sort at all, except for trhe state pension in 30 odd years.

While I feel a little hard done by I would like to run my new business from Donegal and feel a little unloyal even contemplating moving it.

Its a fairly niche plan one I have some experience in and specialised, but theres only three or four like it nationwide. It seems such a pity that looking at everything I might have to go north.

Funding is not the issue, I know there is none, and am doing quite alot of the work myself and paying for everything else. The issue is red tape and taxes.

If I do set up North, I think Donegal really will be proven to be in bother as if we all cannot make things happen for ourselves here, Dublin certainly wont, just as they never have

North_West_Art

how do business rates in the North compare with the South? the county council rates here have been subject to much controversy, considering how little businesses have been given in return for having to pay high annual fees. On this issue alone, I would move to the North.

creaghadoos

if you set up in ni as a sole trader with an address in the south you are still liable to pay all of the taxes relating to your income. my accountant told me to set up a limited company in the north as sole shareholder and director. this costs a few extra quid in accountants fees but will save you in the long term.

Firblog

Have you talked to Donegal Enterprise? or the DLDC? I believe that both these groups can provide both grant and logistical & training aids. I know you say that your business is fairly specialised, but they can give help and advice on such matters as advertising/branding & good book keeping/cashflow monitoring.. both very important areas of any business.

On the moving to the north, I don't know the answer, from your posts I know you don't want to, and that given any encouragement you'd stay in Donegal; talk to the two organisations I've mentioned and they may clarify the situation re the resources/services that can be provided to your startup.

Bazdonegal

I started my business in Donegal around the same time as the original thread poster. I considered opening in Derry City but foolishly decided to start operating in Donegal. It was the wrong decision. Donegal's Local economy has been decimated with the recession, taxes, unemployment, emigration and government neglect.

I plan to close my business here and move to Derry as soon as I can possibly afford to do so hopefully before I go bust, Donegal is finished. I keep hearing about this mythical "recovery" you would have better chance of seeing a leprechaun with a pot of gold on the back of a flying pig. The bottom-line is consumers in Donegal keep getting poorer and poor, the state employment support company's mentioned are a complete joke, I called into them myself. What a joke, a really bad one! Useless shower of wasters there about as useful as a c%ck flavoured lollypop!

NIMAN

Well as a Derryman, if people think that Derry and the surrounding area is booming then they are seeing a different town to me.

Derry (and the NW) has been an unemployment blackspot for decades now, all my lifetime. Among the highest in Europe. Also has a lot of people on different forms of benefits, lot of DLA claimants and long term sick. It was like this in the boom times too.

I understand Donegal is struggling too, but don't think that Derrys streets are paved with gold. The enablers for setting up a business might be better than Donegal, and that might sway you in the end.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do. Can you reveal to us what you will be doing?