Non-Member FAQs

To join FSB, you need to be an owner, partner, or director of a business (or businesses). If you’re involved in more than one business, the total number of employees for all businesses combined must not exceed 249. Our customer services team or a Membership Advisor can also provide more information.

With FSB by your side, you’ll have all the support and expertise you need to start, run and grow your business. As the leading voice of 5.5 million small businesses and the self-employed heard in governments across the UK, we’re always working to deliver real change for all small business owners on the issues that matter most. 

FSB membership unlocks market-leading business services and tools designed to help your business thrive, including 24/7 legal and employment advice, an online library of 1,400 legal documents and templates, tax investigation insurance, financial expertise, debt recovery support, and so much more. 

You’ll also benefit from local support and networking opportunities near you, meaning we’re behind you every step of the way on your business journey. Learn more about joining FSB.

Yes, simply follow the standard joining process and we’ll be welcoming you back in no time.

You can pay for your membership in four ways:

• Set up a direct debit
• Debit or credit card (please note we don’t accept Cirrus, Maestro, or American Express)
• BACS
• Cheque

Once an owner, partner, or director of a business has become an FSB member, we offer a discounted Associate membership of £97.50, specifically designed for additional directors or partners involved in the same business as the full member and who have no separate business interests away from the full member.

We don’t directly promote our members’ businesses, however there are many networking opportunities available. Visit our events page to find out when the next event is happening.

Yes, members can get support from your local team who they can contact about lobbying issues or regional questions, in addition to attending the networking events organised by their regions.

No, there are no accreditation checks become a member, as we are not a trade organisation and we do not recommend or endorse our members’ businesses.

Membership is based on the number of employees you have, so you'll only pay for what you need. If it's only you, membership starts from less than 55p per day to unlock an incredible range of support and protection for your business. 

As soon as you have the business in place you can join FSB and begin to receive the benefits and protection membership offers.

Our customer services team is available from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, excluding weekends and Bank Holidays. You can reach them on 0808 20 20 888.

Once you have joined FSB, you will receive your membership number straight away. Some additional member benefits are subject to normal application and credit checks.  

You will also receive a welcome email within 48 hours of joining which will outline how to set up your password. This contains everything you need to get started and will give you access to your member dashboard where you can access member benefits.

Yes. Membership of FSB is tax deductible.

It is not too late to join FSB, however, you would need to contact our customer services team to discuss this first, as there may be variables in the help available depending on the situation.

We would not cover anything that pre-exists your membership, but you may still be able to obtain legal advice over the phone. It is always best to give us a call and we can discuss this with you.

If you have changed your mind within 28 days of joining, we offer a cooling off period in which you can cancel your membership.

If you wish to cancel your membership at any other point during the membership, please call us in the first instance to discuss the cancellation. Our team can then direct you further on this process. We do not require any set cancellation notice period, but we do not offer pro rata refunds on cancellations.

As FSB is a lobbying organisation, not a trade organisation, we don’t endorse the products or services of our members, therefore we’re unable to act against any complaints and it may be worth contacting your local Trading Standards representative.

No, as FSB is a lobbying organisation not a trade organisation, we don’t give members’ details out.

Our member benefits and services are only available to FSB members therefore it wouldn’t be possible to provide you access to our service providers unless you were a member. We have up to date information on our website about all our benefits and services and we can also discuss any of the benefits and services with you to give you more information on what is available through your FSB membership.

No, we are not a trade organisation so we do not look into your services or perform an accreditation check, therefore we do not recommend or endorse our members’ services.

No, the payment is an annual subscription and you pay a joining fee in your first year of membership.

Yes. It is important that you keep us up to date with your employee numbers to ensure you are eligible for the correct level of cover for your business.

Yes! Our events are open to all small business owners and the self-employed across the UK and we'd love to see you there. All you need to do is create a free account when prompted and you are ready to book into your first event.