This is a one-day course giving advice and information on the things you should know about setting up and running a small upholstery or soft furnishings business.

Topics covered:

• Sole Traders: What you must do
• Limited Companies & Partnerships
• Record Keeping
• Tax Returns
• Employing Staff
• Working from Home
• Insurances
• Health & Safety
• Terms and Conditions
• Overheads and Costings
• Promoting your business
• The Furniture & Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988
• Understanding the fire regulations for Loose Covers
• Understanding the Child Safety for Blinds requirements
• Fabrics and Fabric Performance
• Understanding Consumer Law:
  • Terms of Contract
  • Sales of Goods Act 1979 (as amended)
  • Sale of Goods and Services Act 1982
  • Guarantees
  • Customer's Right to Cancel
• Resouces & Useful Contacts

By making payment of the appropriate course fee you agree to the following terms and conditions:

• Course Times: 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tea and coffee, equipment & materials are supplied.
• Please bring a packed lunch with you.
• All reservations are subject to availability with minimum numbers required to run the course.
• Written cancellations received two weeks prior to the event will receive a full refund less an administration charge of £25.  After this time no refunds will be given.
• Wendy Shorter Interiors reserves the right to cancel a course in the event of any unforeseen circumstances or because minimum numbers have not been reached.  In these circumstances an alternative date may be offered or a full refund will be given.
• Except where expressly stated to the contrary, all prices are subject to VAT at the appropriate rate as dictated by HMRC.  A VAT receipt will be issued following settlement of course fees. 
• Course materials (unless marked as copyright of any other person) and images and photographs displayed in our training materials or on our website(s) are copyright of Wendy Shorter Interiors and must not be copied or reproduced in any form under any circumstances without the express permission of Wendy Shorter Interiors.
• Any video or recorded material in any form taken of Wendy Shorter, Course Tutors or other employees of Wendy Shorter Interiors whilst demonstrating during a course or otherwise in connection with the services offered by Wendy Shorter Interiors must not be reproduced, copied or distributed in any form or on any medium, including social networking sites, under any circumstances without the express written permission of Wendy Shorter Interiors.
• Wendy Shorter Interiors reserves the right to photograph students and their work
• All students agree to familiarise themselves with and to follow all health and safety procedures and requirements in order to safeguard themselves and others around them and to follow all instructions posted in the workrooms or given by the Course Tutors.
• When you contact Wendy Shorter Interiors you give permission under the terms of the Data Protection Act 1988 for Wendy Shorter Interiors to hold and process information about you
• Wendy Shorter Interiors keeps your personal information securely and abides by the Data Protection Act 1988.  We do not pass on an individual’s details unless required by law.  We may share information you provide with the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers and any relevant government agency.  Beyond this, however, Wendy Shorter Interiors will not sell, rent, trade or give away any student’s personal information or email lists to third parties without first obtaining that user’s consent.
• Wendy Shorter Interiors may send you emails to notify you about new services on offer, updates and features on the website.
• These terms and conditions, and any contract concluded between a student and Wendy Shorter Interiors, and any dispute in contract or tort in connection with the services provided by Wendy Shorter Interiors shall be governed by English law.

"This course, taken by Wendy herself, was full of advice and information for those wanting to start their own small business in upholstery or soft furnishings. Wendy shared her vast wealth of knowledge and experience." - Julie E – Harpenden

"The course was very thorough for a person looking to start up a business. The way it was structured, the step-by-step approach was easy to follow, with ample opportunity to ask questions. Lots of first hand experience that was referenced to particular scenarios that could be encountered when setting up and running a business, especially the legal aspects.  The course hand-out is comprehensive and backs up what was taught on the day." - Cheryl J - London N1