Company formation
A trading name is the name a business uses with customers instead of its registered name. The UK rules for sole traders and limited companies.
Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar Member of ICAEW, Fellow of ACCA, Fellow of AAT, a double graduate and entrepreneur at heart, helping startups grow and serving thousands of businesses nationwide with an excellent team. Published by LimitedCompany.Accountants, 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Reviewed 21 October 2026 against 2026/27 UK rates and current Companies House and HMRC guidance.
A trading name is any name a business trades under that differs from its legal name, such as "Bloom Florist" for Smith Floral Ltd. You do not register it at Companies House, but invoices, letters and your website must still show the full registered company name and number.
The rules
Protecting a trading name
A trading name is any name a business trades under that differs from its legal name, such as "Bloom Florist" for Smith Floral Ltd. You do not register it at Companies House, but invoices, letters and your website must still show the full registered company name and number.
A trading name cannot include Ltd, LLP or PLC unless it is the registered name, cannot contain sensitive words without permission, and must not be offensive or pass off another business's name or trade mark.
Sole traders can trade under a name too but must show their own name and a business address on paperwork.
Because trading names are not registered, the only real protection is a UK trade mark with the Intellectual Property Office, or forming a company with that exact name so no one else can register it.
Rates, thresholds and deadlines quoted here reflect the 2026/27 UK position and current Companies House and HMRC guidance. Check GOV.UK, or ask us, before relying on them for your own company.
Local help
We work with company directors across London and Surrey from our office at 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Pick your area, or send the form below and we will call you back.
Frequently asked
Yes, as long as each follows the rules and the registered name appears on official documents.
It is not required, but include it on VAT registration if you trade under it.
Effectively, yes. It is the customer-facing name; the legal entity stays the registered company.
Keep bank statements, sales and platform reports, purchase invoices, payroll records, VAT workings, finance agreements and Companies House correspondence. We confirm the exact list at onboarding and identify gaps before a filing deadline becomes urgent.
The fee depends on transaction volume, record quality, VAT and payroll requirements, historic catch-up and the level of reporting needed. We agree a fixed scope and price before technical work starts, with published packages available on our fees page.
Yes. We request professional clearance, collect the prior records and authorities, check the next Companies House and HMRC deadlines, and give you one clear handover list. The process is normally completed remotely.
Yes. We work through secure cloud records, scheduled reviews and digital approvals, while keeping a named team available by phone, video call and email. Clients can also visit our Morden office by appointment.
We regularly work with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage and connected sales or expense apps. The right setup depends on transaction volume, integrations and the reports you need, not simply the software brand.
The relevant calendar may include annual accounts, Corporation Tax payment and return dates, confirmation statements, VAT returns, payroll submissions and Self Assessment. We map the dates from your company year end and registrations.
No. This page explains general UK rules and common accounting treatment. Your facts, contracts and wider tax position must be reviewed before you rely on a conclusion.
Included approach
Check the current rules
Deadlines, thresholds and filing rules change. GOV.UK and Companies House publish the current statutory position; advice should then be applied to your company’s circumstances.
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Everything is fixed price and agreed before we start. Prices are the same whether you are in London, Morden, Croydon or anywhere else in the UK.
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One fee covering your company’s filing calendar, with the price based on your turnover band.
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