👋Welcome

Welcome to the Essex Business Pages

Essex 2.0 has a wide variety of local businesses running across the City. When purchasing a business via the store you can run one of our already existing restaurants or City businesses.

We currently are not importing new businesses as we have a selection of businesses already available and want to ensure they are kept staffed and open as much as possible. However, should the existing businesses listed here be managed and you have a fresh idea to bring into the City, we'll always listen to new ideas!

Even if a business is brought from the store the Council within the City will monitor your business's performance to ensure you're committed to being open. You will be charged for a business license within RP. You'll need to meet up with the Council after purchasing a business to organise the paperwork and get everything ready and set up to get the business open.

If your business isn't open for a period of time, or complaints are made to the council you may be fined within RP or face suspension. Likewise, if you do not pay your business fees in a timely manner. Continuing to do this may result in the business being handed over to someone else.

You can use this guide within roleplay to understand how to get your business running and functional ready to take that first order!

You must follow and agree to the following rules:

BUSINESSES FINANCES

As of the 1st October 2023, all businesses will receive a tax-free allowance of £2,000, therein after, if you own the business (via a business license) you will be taxed 40% of the balance of your account. If you run a business that has been given to you to run on behalf of the council, you will be taxed 60%.

The remainder is then yours. However you are expected to keep the minimum amount in the account to cover your running costs, you should not take your dividend until the tax has been taken from your account (on the 1st) and accounts will be audited on a regular basis. Business expenses are fine to leave the account as and when you need, e.g. the purchase of materials or ingredients and paying staff wages.

WORK HOURS

If 'clocked on', and being registered as open under the business directory you are expected to be performing duties related to that business. This may be under an on-call system however, please note that if an on-call system is in place, this should be monitored by the business and wages be adjusted as required.

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS

Essex Council maintains a high standard for representatives for our businesses; being involved in a criminal investigation could result in your business being suspended for up to 7 days, and you could face fines from the Council depending on the criminal outcome.

COUNCIL SUPPORT

The council is here to help business owners no matter what the situation. If you have any issues or questions please contact the council and they will work with you; this includes any financial support.