When people think about starting a business, they often imagine launching a website, opening a shop or finding office space. But for many entrepreneurs, that's not where the journey begins. Recent research has found that more highly educated people are choosing to start their businesses at markets. Graduates with master's degrees, PhDs and other professional qualifications are using market stalls to test their ideas before taking the next step. It might not be the route peopl

If you're based here, why not pop down and say hello? Our experienced business advisers are offering free 15-minute business support sessions, giving you the opportunity to receive friendly, personalised advice tailored to your business and the challenges you're facing. Whether you're looking to start a business, grow an existing one or simply want to talk through an idea, we're here to listen and help. We'll also have free refreshments available, so come and grab a coffee, h

Every handmade business starts with someone choosing to turn a creative passion into something more. Today, we're delighted to welcome Bruna Buzzi to our market stall programme as she takes an exciting step on that journey. Bruna creates beautiful hand-painted silk scarves using watercolours, with every piece individually designed by hand. Each scarf is unique, reflecting the care, creativity and craftsmanship that goes into her work. Today is Bruna's first time testing her p

Not so long ago, the idea of starting a business while you were still studying felt unusual. For many people, the expectation was simple. Finish your education, find a job, gain experience and perhaps, one day, think about working for yourself. Today, that picture looks rather different. More and more young people are exploring entrepreneurship before they've even graduated. Some are selling products online, some are offering freelance services, while others are using social

When we last spoke with Stennah & Hope founder Boyowa Olugbo, he described an ambition that extended beyond growth, sales or accreditation. He wanted to build the kind of manufacturer that other businesses aspire to work with. Having been selected as the recipient of Portobello Business Centre's fully funded B Corp certification support package, the South East London fragrance manufacturer was preparing to begin a process that would place every aspect of the business under th

Portobello Business Centre, in partnership with Workspace, is providing 100 hours of free business support for Workspace customers. Come and meet Greg, our Senior Business Adviser, at one of our upcoming drop-in sessions. Whether you need advice on business growth, marketing, funding or strategy, we're here to help. 📍 No appointment needed – just drop in! 📅 Pall Mall – 18 June | 9:00am–12:00pm 📅 Canalot Studios – 24 June | 9:00am–12:00pm 📅 Westbourne Studios – 2 July | 9:

Following the successful completion of our pilot Student Entrepreneurship Programme in April, we're excited to announce that applications are now open for Cohorts 2, 3 and 4. The pilot brought together students from a range of backgrounds who were interested in exploring entrepreneurship, developing business ideas and learning more about self-employment. Throughout the programme, participants took part in interactive workshops, received practical business support and gained

One of the most common concerns we hear from business owners is: "I've got a great product or service, but I'm struggling to find customers." According to Senior Business Advisor Greg Thomas: "One of the first things I ask is how people currently discover the business. Many owners feel they need to be active on every social media platform, but before investing time and resources into marketing, it's important to understand who your customers are and where they look for inform

One of the most common questions we hear at Portobello Business Centre is surprisingly difficult to answer: "What business should I start?" Recently, one of our advisers met with someone who was keen to become self-employed but wasn't yet sure what form that would take. They wanted more flexibility, more independence and the opportunity to work for themselves. What they didn't have was a clear business idea. It's a situation many aspiring entrepreneurs find themselves in. The

You never know who you're going to meet when you put your business out into the world. Today, one of Sylvia's first customers was a traveller from Australia who was spending her final day in Europe before heading home. After stopping for a hot chocolate, she told Sylvia how delighted she was to have discovered the stall and how much she enjoyed the drink. It was a simple interaction, but one that left both customer and business owner smiling. Moments like these are easy to ov

Today, we attended a networking event at Workspace Group Canalot Studios, bringing together businesses from across the community to connect, share ideas and explore opportunities for collaboration. We also had the opportunity to hear from our CEO, who delivered a talk on the work of Portobello Business Centre and the importance of supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses to thrive. Events like these are a great reminder of the value of building relationships, exchanging

A recent report from the Pensions Commission has reignited an important national conversation: millions of people across the UK are not saving enough for retirement. For entrepreneurs and small business owners, this issue can feel even more significant. Unlike traditional employees, many business owners do not have access to workplace pensions, employer contributions or structured financial support. When you run your own business, responsibility for both your business and you

Earlier this year, Portobello Business Centre launched a new initiative with a simple goal: help one London business take the next step towards becoming B Corp certified. Working alongside purpose-led consultancy transformacy, PBC created a fully funded B Corp certification package designed to remove one of the biggest barriers facing small businesses - cost. The initiative invited London SMEs already operating responsibly across areas such as sustainability, governance, peop

If you’re heading down to the market today, make sure you stop by and support Silvia at her stall Silvia is the founder of May I Hot Chocolate, serving rich, organic hot chocolate made using just three premium ingredients: coconut sugar, cacao and thickener. In Silvia’s own words: “May I Hot Chocolate isn't just a drink. It's an experience.” This is exactly what our market programme is all about giving small businesses and founders the chance to get in front of real customers

Could you be our next market stall success? As the days get longer and summer approaches, there’s no better time to step forward and get your business in front of real customers. Every other Friday over the next few months, we’re inviting our clients to trade at one of London’s most iconic markets, Portobello Road Market. This isn’t just a place to sell. It’s where your business meets real people, face to face. In a crowded online world, it’s easy to spend time refining

Could you be our next market stall success? As the days get longer and summer approaches, there’s no better time to step forward and get your business in front of real customers. Every other Friday over the next few months, we’re inviting our clients to trade at one of London’s most iconic markets, Portobello Road Market. This isn’t just a place to sell. It’s where your business meets real people, face to face. In a crowded online world, it’s easy to spend time refining

We’ve officially moved and we’re open for business in our new home at Workspace Group | Canalot Studios ✨ This move marks an exciting new chapter for us, giving us the space to grow, collaborate and continue delivering the support and services our community relies on. You can now find us at Canalot Studios 222 Kensal Rd, W10 5BN, where we’ll be continuing everything we do best just from a fresh new base. If you’re nearby, the team and Ludo would love to welcome you in. hashta

A few months ago, we started exploring new ways to support the founders we work with especially at a time when traditional funding is becoming harder to access. That led us into new conversations, new communities and a different way of thinking about what support can look like. So it’s a proud moment for us to now be featured in The Bitcoin Collective – Bitcoin Business Network newsletter. Not just for the visibility, but because it reflects that shift. What’s been most valua

In a rapidly changing marketing landscape, understanding what actually drives engagement and trust has never been more important. Our Operations Manager has shared their perspective on how shifting conditions are impacting the way organisations communicate, and what this means in practice for businesses navigating today’s environment. We wanted to share this with you as part of our ongoing commitment to keeping our community informed, supported and equipped with practical ins

In a borough like Kensington and Chelsea, contrast is part of everyday life. From the global spotlight of Notting Hill to communities facing real barriers to opportunity, the gap is visible and growing. At Portobello Business Centre, this isn’t something we observe from a distance. It’s what shapes our work. Supporting our local community isn’t separate from what we do it’s the reason behind it. So when we heard about plans to start a football team at Morley College London,