Back-dated company

You are correct that ready made companies are not used any more because of the reason you state and because of the same day formation system companies house operates. 

An approach is to obtain the companies that were formed yesterday and try and source one from an incorporator via their registered office, as some body might have just incorporated one to be dormant and protect its name etc. Suggest you ring Companies House to source the list of companies incorporated on the 20th?

I hope this helps 

If it is essential to have the company with that date then approach any registration agent (yellow pages or the web). If you want do do one yourself but dated the day you send the paperwork to CH then cost is £25 for a normal turnround or £50 same day.

Rather than yellow pages, you could try looking for a registration agent from ACRA (Association of Company Registration Agents). Their member list is here:http://bit.ly/aczLxi.

Most of the larger firms are members.

Have always had excellent service from The Company Limited - Paul Curtis - on 01582 492200 or paul@thecompanylimited

Thanks guys for all the replies and the advice given. Reading all the replies and excellent advice given makes  the reason I approached Accounting Web with the idea of setting up this group worthwhile.  Many thanks!

Monica