Latest Update Coronavirus

Business Support – Latest Updates

RBKC News, 24.09.2021.

From KCCC – a new era for the Chamber and recognition for RBKC

The Kensington and Chelsea Chamber of Commerce is joining forces with the Westminster Chamber of Commerce to offer local businesses even wider support within London.  Launched last week, the Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster Chamber of Commerce will offer members further opportunities to network at events, forums and hear about business leads across both boroughs. Members comprise a wide range of businesses, charities and other organisations, from small to large enterprises, so check out the new Chamber if you are interested in joining. 

In acknowledgement of the support that RBKC has given to local businesses during recent disruptive trading circumstances the Chamber awarded the President’s Cup to Councillor Catherine Faulks and the Economic Development Team headed up by Graham Hart.  See picture, from left: Graham Hart, Head of Economic Development, Cllr. Catherine Faulks, Lead Member for Economy, Employment and Innovation, Michael Stone of Jamieson Stone, President KCCC and John Cripps of JCC, Deputy President of KCCC.

From KCCC and RBKC – Recover and Grow conversations

Thanks to all the expert speakers for sharing their knowledge, time and expertise at the Kensington & Chelsea Chamber of Commerce Recover and Grow series of seminars.  We started conversations that are not yet finished around important topics that affect businesses, including:

  • The future of Kensington and Chelsea’s vibrant streets. To help us develop priorities and new initiatives to make high streets better, go here
  • How the borough should continue to develop.  Help shape the nature of development across the borough over the next 20 years by clicking here and giving us your thoughts by 4th October 
  • The introduction of Business Improvement Districts, three are being launched in the borough this Autumn. These are Brompton Road http://bromptonroadbid.co.uk/, Kings Road (Led by Cadogan) and Kensington High Street (Led by Kensington Business forum). Please contact Alexander Howell (Alexander.Howell@rbkc.gov.uk) for more information. 
  • What businesses think about the Climate Emergency, and the development of a Council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan please contact  environment@rbkc.gov.uk to be part of the conversation

We would still like to hear from you on these topics!

From RBKC – do you want to broaden your talent recruitment?

Introductory session to becoming a Disability Inclusive Employer and the benefits for your business on Tuesday 12 October 10am to 12pm at the Great Hall in Kensington Town Hall, W8 7NX. To sign up, please email disabilityinclusive@rbkc.gov.uk.

From Founders Factory – Bulletin #2

Each month Founders Factory bring you a round-up of start-up and investment stories, key learnings from founders, and insights from the Founders Factory team. Subscribe!  See attached

From London Business Hub – London Business Week from 12 – 15 October

Headline speakers include the Deputy Mayor of London for Business, Amazon UK Country Manager and Head of Environmental Sustainability BT. The full line-up can be found here.  Attached you can find the dedicated London Business Week digital flyer. Access the partner pack here.  Encourage your clients and members to sign up to our London Business Hub newsletter Here  and follow on Twitter @LDNBusinessHub, on LinkedIn and Facebook.

From FSB – The Small Business Tech Summit 2021
The inaugural freeSmall Business Tech Summit, brought to you byFirst Voice, the official magazine of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) andDell TechnologiesThrough a series of 7 quickfire sessions, across an action-packed 2-hour SummitTo register for Wednesday 20 October at 12:00 (BST), click here

From FSB – Celebrating Small Business Awards 2022

Headline sponsor is Sky Connect.  Entries are now open –  you can’t win it, if you’re not in it! Enter here.

From Companies House – Register now: Latest Directors’ Responsibilities webinar

Webinar 1 Directors’ Responsibilities  File on time, file online Register now for the Directors Responsibilities webinar.

FUNDING

From Techstars – 2022 ‘Anywhere Accelerator’ Open to Companies Worldwide

Entrepreneurs are being supported to commercialise new technologies, with equity funding and supplementary support. Go here and apply by 6 October 2021

From Arts Council/National Lottery grant – Supporting Grassroots Live Music

Supporting activities that help grassroots music venues and promoters to deliver and develop their work, getting live music to more people across England.  Total fund £1.5 million.  Grant range £1,000 – £40,000.  Deadline 31 March 2022.  Go here.

From Fiserv – grant award of £10,000

£10,000 to small businesses with ethnically diverse ownership that have been impacted by COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.  Deadline: 31 Dec at 12:00 am (EST), apply today.

From UK Govt. –  Women in Innovation Awards 2021-22

Innovation funding, coupled with tailored support.  £50,000 grant and bespoke business support.  Competition opens Monday 23 August 2021 and closes Wednesday 6 October 2021 11:00am.  Go here.

From UK govt. – government-backed insurance scheme events businesses

The live events sector now have government-backed insurance scheme worth over £750 million. Info here.

From UK Govt.  Help for entrepreneurs.

You may be able to get New Enterprise Allowance to help you start a business or develop your business if you’re already self-employed https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/finding-work/self-employment/

SAVE THE DATE

November 8-14, Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW)

Will rally 180 nations to empower entrepreneurs and encourage citizens to become starters – finding new and better ways of doing things. In the wake of the pandemic and its impact, GEW 2021 is also a call to action for society to be resilient and come together in leveraging the power of new ideas and innovation for the benefit of all.  Watch this space for RBKC focussed events.

And finally – quick links:

RBKC Portobello Business Centre.  Provides one to one support for RBKC resident-entrepreneurs and businesses.  www.pbc.co.uk for webchat.  Email info@pbc.co.uk.  Tel: +44 (0)20 7460 5050.  Also on Twitter

RBKC Pavement licences.  Register via the Council website.

RBKC Hospitality business helpline is 020 7361 2161.  Open Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm for help with matters directly related to re-opening.  Please leave a message.

RBKC’s e-newsletter.  Get alerts to latest support including grants, subscribe to Business Matters here.  Also follow us on Twitter

RBKC One Place for Business.  Links you to all the business information pages on our website, including Covid19 support for businesses

Business Membership Organisations and Trade Associations.  Providing support for specific sectors e.g. Arts, Architecture, Aviation and many more.  See list here.

London Business Hub. Advice for London based businesses. www.businesshub.london with an EU Post-Transition Business Resource Hub.  Also on Twitter

Greater London Authority.  Crowdfund for your small business with Pay it Forward

UK Government Financial Support. Use the checker tool to find out what coronavirus financial support is available for you.  The Recovery Loan Scheme loans varying in size from £25,000, up to a maximum of £10 million.