RBKC News, 03.12.2021.
From RBKC
-Two Business Improvement Districts (BIDs*) now approved in RBKC – Businesses in both the Brompton Road and Kings Road areas respectively recently passed, overwhelmingly, their required BID ballot allowing each to become operational. We are delighted to share that Brompton Road BID became operational on 1 October 2021 which will see an investment of £6m five-year programme of improvements for the district. Kings Road BID which passed its vote on the 26th November and will go live on the 1 April 2022 will see an investment of £4m five-year programme of improvements for the district. (*A Business Improvement District (BID) is a business-led and businesses funded body formed to improve a defined commercial area).
-Small Business Saturday (4 December) – To mark and support Small Business Saturday there are many activities taking place across the borough ranging from a free jazz event and festive markets and stalls. Find out more here.
-Portobello Road is also hosting a ‘Christmas at Portobello’ market on both Sunday, 5, 12 and 19 December – a fine Christmas market showcasing fantastic local business products including live entertainment, Find out more here.
FSB: Celebrating Small Business Awards 2022
-FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards 2022 – There’s still time to celebrate your business by entering this award scheme – for free. The awards offer the potential for UK-wide publicity, as well as networking with other small business owners and industry leaders.
From London Business Hub
-Recover and Grow – A free 6-week intensive programme for business leaders looking to navigate the impact of COVID-19 and set a roadmap for the future to build confidence, resilience and technical knowledge. If interested, register here.
-Help to Grow: Management – This is a 12-week programme, backed by Government, will support SMEs to boost their business’s performance, resilience and long-term growth. Find out more – Help to Grow: Digital – London Business Hub / Help to Grow: Management – London Business Hub
-Free 1:1 support available – All ERDF eligible SMEs in London can continue to benefit from free 1:1 support of up to 12 hours with an adviser (virtual and face-to-face appointments available). Find out more at Business Advisers – London Business Hub
-Property Advice Service and Programme – This newly launched service has been designed to help entrepreneurs and businesses find the right space and fully understand the costs associated with renting a property, including renegotiating a lease with a landlord. A series of webinar masterclasses on relevant topics is also available which offers one-to-one bespoke support. Entrepreneurs and business owners taking part in this programme can do so free of charge.
-London Business Hub newsletter – SME’s are invited to sign up to this newsletter to help ensure London businesses are aware of the support available to them. SMEs can also track support available via the London Business Hub website and follow them on Twitter @LDNBusinessHub, LinkedIn and Facebook
From Founders Factory – Bulletin #5
-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. See here
From Companies House
-The National Security and Investment Act 2021 – new guidance published – The new system of investment screening brought in by the National Security and Investment Act (NSI) will come into force on 4 January 2022. Business can contact the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) via email at investment.screening@beis.gov.uk if they have any queries ahead of commencement.
To help SMEs learn about the new rules, BEIS will be running a session targeted specifically at SMEs on NSI. The new rules have no lower limit on the size of businesses they cover, so any business could be affected by the new rules. This session will be important ahead of the new rules coming into force. The date of the session will be confirmed publicly soon or contact them via email to find out more.
-New government Help to Grow: Digital Programme – From this month, small business could get up to £5,000 towards the cost of buying new digital software to help boost their business growth. The programme will give free and impartial advice to businesses on how digital software can help them grow. Interest in the programme can be registered here.
-Contacting Companies House – If you know of businesses trying to contact Companies House currently, please be aware they are experiencing high volumes of call and so contact centre lines are very busy. If one needs to contact them, they can be emailed on enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk or search for information on gov.uk/companieshouse
-The latest ONS business survey had a range of indicators, including highest job advert levels still in “transport, logistics and warehouse” while the largest weekly increase was in the “travel and tourism” and in the accommodation and food sector 38% reported a shortage of workers.
From Portobello Business Centre
-’Start Up Essentials’ webinar – A free ‘Start Up Essentials’ Zoom webinar is available to all London entrepreneurs and those looking to become self-employed in 2022. Register here.
– On the 10th and 11th of November PBC delivered their “Meet the Experts IV” sessions where 14 industry experts delivered a range of presentations and offered helpdesk support. Fifty Two support sessions were delivered covering a wide range of business issues and topics.