Oxford Reference Online [24/7] - for economics and business.
Cobra [24/7] - Business reference adviser, including business opportunity profiles (information on starting up a business), markets, financial and legal information.
KOMPASS [24/7] - Worldwide products and services directory, with detailed company information.
MarketLine [24/7] - In-depth information on companies and markets from around the world. Available in every Westminster Library and from outside with a Westminster library card via the e-library (log in and then click on 'Online reference' in the menu bar).
Business Information Points at Westminster Libraries - There are now four Business Information Points (BIPs) spread across Westminster offering excellent resources and networking opportunities for business, including directories, trade journals, market research reports and much more.
Services for businesses - from Westminster Council
RBA Information Services - Offers a variety of useful links to business resources on the web.
Finance: shares and money - Both Yahoo! finance and Google finance provide a large amount of free financial and company information, including historical share prices.
BigCharts - Performance data and charts for major markets around the world.
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills - This Government site offers advice, news and information for businesses in the UK, with useful information on becoming self-employed,starting a business, writing business plans (with examples)
Hemscott - Useful source of basic company information, including the ability to order annual reports for major companies.

Directories

Companies House - Enter company name for a list of registered companies (NB: not available 24 hours a day). Click registry number to view details. The site also has a 'Directory of Disqualified Directors'.
Yell.com - Electronic Yellow Pages UK - find businesses and services by name or subject.
Westminster Business Directory - Directory of Westminster businesses searchable by name, postcode and nature of business.
Ask Alix - Lists over 1.8 million UK businesses. Search by keyword and/or region.
Annualreports.com - A great source for annual reports from a great many companies plus links to their websites.
Daltonsbusiness.com - A database with details of businesses for sale, franchises and more.

Business organisations

London Chamber of Commerce - Part of the nationwide network of British Chambers of Commerce.
London and Partners - The inward investment agency for the capital.
Business in the Community - Practical tools & information about the impact of business on the community, the environment and the wider world.

Starting up and small business

Business Link on gov.uk - Part of the business from this government-funded Small Business Service.
Federation of Small Businesses - Links to regional sites and policy information from the "voice of the small business sector".
Grantfinder [IHS] - A database of grants, funding opportunities, tax breaks and more to help finance your new business or project. This resource can accessed by visiting one of the 4 Westminster libraries with Business Information Points: Church Street, Paddington, Pimlico, or Westminster Reference Library.

Professional services

Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales - Searchable directory of accountancy firms.
Exhibitions & Trade Fairs UK - Database listing events up to two years ahead, searchable by subject, date, organiser or venue.
Venue Directory - Searchable database for conference, meeting and events organisers.

International trade

UK Trade & Investment - Government web site giving information on exporting from the UK. [Formerly EMIC: Export Market Information Centre].

Management

Internet Business & Management - A 'teach-yourself' tutorial on Internet information skills for those studying business & management. Part of a range of subject-specific tutorials from the Virtual Training Suite.
Association of MBAs - Including a directory of accredited MBA programmes.

Economics

Internet Economist - A 'teach-yourself' tutorial on Internet information skills for those studying economics. Part of a wide range of subject-specific tutorials from the Virtual Training Suite.

Useful links - other categories:

Tweets by @WCCLibraries