Policy Shift Targets Barriers to Building
At the core of the new strategies is an effort to loosen rules that have long limited what can be built, and where. Jurisdictions are revising zoning maps to allow more than one house on lots historically restricted to a single detached dwelling, a change intended to create “missing middle” options that sit between a stand-alone house and a large apartment complex. Cities are also mapping corridors near transit for taller buildings, betting that concentrating housing around rail and bus lines will reduce traffic and support climate goals.
Details: What’s Changing on the Ground
Homeowners in many areas can now build a second, smaller dwelling—an accessory unit—on their lot, converting garages, basements, or backyard space. These units add gentle density without altering the basic character of a block and can create rental options in places dominated by single-family houses. Rules are also evolving to allow small multifamily structures, such as duplexes or fourplexes, across broader swaths of residential land, potentially adding more diverse and attainable homes in established neighborhoods.
How Search Is Used — Benefits and Limitations
For professionals, the first pass of due diligence often starts with a company number search to avoid confusion with similarly named entities. The filing history helps identify continuity and gaps: Are accounts filed on time? Have there been recent director changes or name changes? Are there charges that indicate secured lending or distress? The people with significant control section can reveal ownership changes or complex control chains that merit further inquiry. Journalists and civil society groups use these threads to map business networks or examine patterns across multiple companies tied to the same individuals.
Step 2: Get the company ready to close
This is the tidy‑up phase. Close your business bank accounts after clearing transactions and paying all creditors. Collect any receivables and settle supplier balances. Deregister for VAT if applicable, run final payrolls and pensions, and cancel direct debits, insurance, software subscriptions, and leases. Tell your accountant you’re closing and make sure final corporation tax returns and any outstanding accounts are submitted to HMRC. If there’s cash or other assets left once debts are paid, distribute them to shareholders before you apply—anything left after dissolution can pass to the Crown as bona vacantia. Don’t forget less obvious assets: domain names, licences, trade marks, deposits, gift cards, inventory in storage, and PayPal/Stripe balances. If you keep statutory registers and minute books, bring them up to date and store them safely—you should keep key records for at least six years. Finally, pass a board resolution approving strike off and recording that the company is solvent and eligible. These prep steps dramatically reduce the risk of objections.
Step 3: File the DS01 and pay the fee
When you’re ready, complete form DS01 (the strike off application). You can do it online or by post; online is faster and a bit cheaper. You’ll need the company number, registered name, and the usual contact details. A majority of the directors must sign; if you have a sole director, they sign alone. Make sure the registered office address is able to receive post for several months—even if you’re using a service address—because Gazette notices and any objections will be sent there. Pay the small filing fee (currently around £8 online or £10 by post). Keep copies of everything you submit along with the date you filed. Pro tip: avoid informal trading after filing. Only activities that are strictly necessary to close the company are permitted. If you accidentally issue a new invoice or sign a fresh contract, you may invalidate eligibility and should withdraw and re‑file later. Once submitted, Companies House will email or post confirmation and schedule the first Gazette notice.
How To Check Today’s Prices Quickly
Before you load everyone into the car, you can confirm current kids menu prices in a few quick ways. The most direct method is to check the menu board in-store, but that is not always practical. Many locations publish menus digitally, and several store finders let you view a local menu that reflects your region. If that is not available or you want a human answer, a short call to the restaurant is surprisingly effective. Staff can tell you the current price for the kids waffle, grilled cheese, or breakfast plate in seconds, along with any small upcharges for add-ons. Delivery apps can be a rough reference too, but remember they may include service fees or special pricing that does not apply when you dine in. If you are traveling, repeat the check for the city you are headed to. It takes less than a minute and can save you from relying on outdated screenshots or generic price lists that do not account for local differences.
Value Tips: Stretching A Kid Plate Further
There are easy, low-stress ways to get more value from the kids menu without over-ordering. Start with appetite matching: a kids waffle plus a shared side of hashbrowns often feeds small appetites better than two separate kids plates. If your child is egg-focused, the kids breakfast with one egg and a protein is usually the cleanest route, and you can add a single side of toast or a shared order of hashbrowns for variety. For burger lovers, a kids cheeseburger with an extra pickle or tomato slice can feel like a full meal when paired with a shared side. Drinks add up, so consider water or one paid drink for the table if you are watching costs. Ask about substitutions within the kids format; some locations allow swapping bacon for sausage or toast for hashbrowns for a small or no change, depending on the board. And when in doubt, portion up rather than out: adding one shared side tends to be more budget friendly than ordering a second full kids plate you may not need.