Is there a particularly good site to go to for information about starting your own business in CH? In particular I would like to find out about permits, company formation, taxation etc.

Thanks

Your profile says that you will be in Vevey, so if you want to start your business in Vaud, this should answer most of your questions.
They are very helpful, and the service if free of charge.

Good luck!

For the Swiss-German part, http://www.startup.ch/ (provided by St. Gallen based IFJ) is a good source.

(Don't underestimate the effects of the current crisis. They're stronger the closer you get to the markets. Starting up a new company tends to be one of the toughest things in such an economy.)

Great site thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

UK and US banks tend to advertise their business start up services very heavily but I don't see the same approach in CH - is there any bank in particular which has a good reputation with new businesses?

I would try BCV (Banque Cantonale Vaudoise). They are based in Lausanne but have branches all over the canton including in Vevey. A friend who has a small business has used them for the past 5 years and speaks highly of them. I have banked with them for a year as an individual and am pleased with the service. Most of the people I have reached on the phone will happily speak English if you prefer.

I am a bit busy to google now but I just wonder if there is similar site for canton Aarau in English?

Yes there is

I've just got off the phone from a friend from the UK who is considering buying a company in Germany that currently supplies him with materials. there are issues with the existing company, so he is looking to set up a new company with the same name as his UK company but having a gmbh tag. Then to effectively buy the assets from the existing company and transfer them to the new one with a view to re-locating the lot either to the UK or maybe Switzerland..... phew.

He doesn't speak German (nor do I come to that) but asked if there would be beneifts to setting up the company office here rather than Germany, with the manufacturing site in CH, Germany or the UK. I know that is a bit of a mouthfull, but I said I would ask for a few basic tips on here, as he approached a law firm in Manchester who have offices in Zurich and Geneva and they wanted £1,500 for an initial consulation

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Very broadly and assuming a profit is made, he and his company should pay less tax in Switzerland. From an employer's point of view hiring and firing is easier here too.

I would watch out for German labour laws when buying the assets of the company. There could be substantial redundancy payments due. £1500 for the consultation may be a bargain...