VegSocUK Information Sheet THE VEGETARIAN SOCIETY STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS The following is a list of useful contacts, books, courses etc which may be of help to people interested in starting up a vegetarian business. COURSES The Cordon Vert Cookery School The Vegetarian Society's Cordon Vert Diploma offers a good introduction to vegetarian catering. We run courses for people intending to start a guesthouse or restaurant and for people who want to become demonstrators. We also offer the Professional Cordon Vert Diploma for people already in the catering profession and can provide courses specifically tailored for a particular company's needs. For details, contact the Cordon Vert Cookery School Manager at The Vegetarian Society, Parkdale, Dunham Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 4QG. Tel: 061 928 0793. Colleges and other establishments offering courses in vegetarian cooking or catering Send for a complete list from the Vegetarian Society. The National Association of Health Stores Chamber of Commerce Building, Unit D2, Boston Industrial Centre, Norfolk Stret, Boston, Lincs PE21 9HG. Tel: 0205 362626. Runs training courses leading to the NAHS Certificate in retailing or Diploma in Health Food Retailing. Hotel Catering & Training Company International House, High Street, Ealing, London, W5 5DB. Tel: 081 579 2400. Courses, conferences etc on various aspects of catering. Also publish the Mastercraft series of books and videos on various aspects of catering. The Royal Society of Health 38a St George's Drive, London, SW1V 4BH. Tel: 071 630 0121. Runs course in essentialfood hygiene. National Institute of Fresh Produce 440 Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW8 5NN. Tel: 071 720 4465. Fax: 071 720 2047. Runs courses on Food Hygiene, Efficient Salad Bar Operation and Trade Knowledge. MISCELLANEOUS The Co-operative Development Board 301-344 Market Towers, Covent Garden, London SW8 5NQ. Tel: 071 720 2144. Fax: 071 627 0616. For advice on forming a Co-operative. The Industrial Co-ownership Movement Vassilli House, 20 Central Road, Leeds LS1 6DE. Tel: 0532 461737. Publishes information and runs training courses etc. Radical Routes Ltd. 25a Stanley Road, Whalley Range, Manchester M16 8HS. Produce a guide "How to Set Up a Workers' Co-operative". The Small Firms Service Run by the Department of Employment gives advice to every type of small business on almost any business subject. Dial 100 and ask the operator for Freephone 2444. Greenmarketing 20 Leazes Crescent, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4LW. Tel: 091 230 0314 . PR and marketing. Greenspeak A "Green" PR/Advertising/Communications agency. 129 Barlow Moor Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 8PP. Tel: 061 434 1211. Fax: 061 434 1898. Exchange Resources 28 Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1DP. Tel: 0225 469671 Is a recruitment agency specialising in ethical employment. Green Economy Practical Alternatives, Victoria House, Bridge Street, Rhyader, Powys, LD6 5AG. A network of small businesses pledged to green trading ie reduced consumption, low pollution, organic growing, recycling, repairing etc etc. Where possible, members buy from each other to help each other earn a living. Health Food Manufacturers' Association Angel Court, High Street, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1DT. Tel: 0483 426450. Network of Wholefood Workers Co-operatives Secretary: Mandi Pettefar, c/o Hiziki Wholefood Collective, 15 Goosegate, Nottingham, NG1 1FE. Tel: 0602 505523. Vegan Business Connection c/o Veggies Catering Campaign, 180 Mansfield Road, Nottingham, NG1 3HW. Tel: 0602 585666. Encourages co-operation and mutual support between vegan businesses and their proprietors. FINANCE The Vegetarian Charity 51 East Budleigh Road, Budleigh Salterton, EX9 6EW Gives grants to under-26 year olds to help finance projects that promote vegetarianism. You must be a vegetarian to be eligible. The Ecology Building Society 8 Main Street, Cross Hills, Keighley, W Yorks, BD20 8TB. Tel: 0535 35933. BOOKS & TRADE MAGAZINES How to Start a Guesthouse or Bed & Breakfast Business from the English Tourist Board, Dept D, 4 Bromells Road, London, SW4 0BJ. Running a Small Hotel By Joy Lennick, 5.95 from Kogan Page, 120 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9JN. Health Retailer (magazine) Old Auction Mart, Station Approach, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1EU. Tel: 0483 860116. Natural Products News (magazine) Full Moon Ltd, Mouse Lane, Steyning, West Sussex BN44 3DG. Tel: 0903 879078. Vegetarian Catering News Quarterly newsletter for Caterers and related profesions available from The Vegetarian Catering Advisory Service, Shire Lodge, The Old Stables, east Langton, Leics LE16 7TW. Guide for Environmental Entrepreneurs Available from either the Conservation Foundation, 1 Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AR. Tel: 081 823 8842 or The Environment Council, 80 York Way, London, N1 9AG. Tel: 071 278 4736. THE V SYMBOL The Vegetarian Society allows the use of its registered trademark, under licence, on products that meet its definition of vegetarian. This provides the vegetarian public with an instant method of recognising which products are acceptable. Many manufacturers are already taking part in this scheme. If you would like to take part, contact The Vegetarian Society (address below). In addition businesses may join the Society's Food and Drink Guild for only 95 per year, please call Denise Rooke on 061 928 0793 for further details of the many benefits. The Vegetarian Society publishes a journal called The Vegetarian, 4 issues a year, circulated to all our members. If you are interested in advertising with us phone Denise Rooke on 061 928 0793. A short list of vegetarian and health food wholesalers is available from The Vegetarian Society. ___________________________________ // This article is copyright to the Vegetarian Society (UK), but may be freely copied for non-commercial use provided it is kept intact, not altered and these lines are included. For futher information contact: The Vegetarian Society, Parkdale, Dunham Road, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 4QG, England. Tel: (England) 061 928 0793 email: vegsoc@vegsoc.demon.co.uk // [The text of this file was obtained from the Vegetarian Society (UK) in March 1995.]