Good news for start-up businesses, local networking opportunities and free advice

View in a browser

havering london borough
signup for updates

News for businesses in Havering. Week ending Friday 25 August 2017.


Havering best for start-ups

Start up chart

Following Havering being recognised in 2015 as the start-up capital of Britain, it’s now been highlighted by recruitment firm Talentful as the best borough for tech companies to start following research they did using data from each London borough. 

Havering received the accolade due to the high survival rate for start-ups with over nine in ten new tech companies making it past the one year mark. Havering Council will be continuing to offer support to start-ups through its dedicated support programme and by investing in affordable workspace. 

The StartUp support programme was launched in July 2016 and is managed by Enterprise Nation, It’s been active in supporting hundreds of ambitious start-ups through delivering workshops, one to one consultations, tender-ready training, a programme of webinars, and access to national campaigns such as facebook's She Means Business. The programme continues until March 2018 with a dual focus of encouraging people with an idea to start a business, and supporting early stage businesses to grow. 

More


Get recognition for your business

Queens award

The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are for outstanding achievement by UK businesses in the categories of:

  • innovation
  • international trade
  • sustainable development
  • promoting opportunity through social mobility.

If you are thinking iof applying be quick. The closing date for applications is 1 September.

More


Feeling entrepreneurial?

Innovate 2017

Innovate 2017 is Innovate UK's annual event showcasing innovation. This year, the event will focus on global challenges and how they affect government, businesses and individuals. 

Practical advice and business development support will also be available.

Event details

8 - 9 November 2017 in NEC, Birmingham

If you order tickets before 8 September you will receive a discount.

Book


Winning Shopping Hall

Romford SH winner

Congratulations to the Romford Shopping Hall who last month won an award at the Barking and Dagenham Chamber of Commerce awards event.

They won the award (deep breath now)for the Business Located Outside Barking and Dagenham Trading in Barking and Dagenham. Many of the Hall's traders live in our neighbouring borough and it has been rumoured that the Shopping Hall's famous Santa hails more from Dagenham than the North Pole!


Funding available

Postcode

The second round of the Postcode Local Trust is now open and aiming to seek positive change in local areas in England. 

Funding is available for:

  • Enhancing outdoor spaces 
  • Local biodiversity improvements
  • Outdoor education projects with community groups
  • Green energy or energy efficiency projects
  • Exploring the cultural heritage of an area 
  • Volunteering initiatives for local projects

Who can apply? Community and charitable organisations

Maximum grant:

  • Community groups: up to £2,000
  • Registered charitable organisations: up to £20,000

Hurry, the deadline is this Monday, 28 August 2017.

More


Smarter travel and your business

Cycle confident training course

There are lots of ways Havering Council's Smarter Travel Team can help your business. Here are just a few:

Free Driver CPC Training – Attending these fully accredited driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) training courses contributes a full day towards the 35 hours Driver CPC training that professional drivers need to complete every five years.

Electric Vehicles / Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles – information and some helpful facts about EVs and their benefits.

Small Grants for Business – apply for a grant worth up to £3000 to help you increase active travel (cycling and walking) at your business.

Please contact Martin Day to discuss any of the above opportunities or about applying for the grant.


New to the borough

Cafe Harrow Lodge Park

New retail businesses in Hornchurch include Milano Pizza, Star Nails & Beauty, La Turka, Tea Island and Blondie's Hair & Tanning in the High Street, and La Diva in Station Line.

Also in June Ali Erdogan and his wife Anna took over the café overlooking the lake in the Green Flag winning Harrow Lodge Park in Hornchurch (pictured above). Now named the Lakeview Palace Café and Restaurant, it's open from 7.30am to 6pm every day.

More

Grow your business

CEME exterior

The Launchpad Centre at CEME in Rainham gives companies the ideal environment, location, support and scalability to reach their potential quickly.

Take advantage of highly-affordable office space, a range of fixed and hot-desking, the latest equipment and full-time business support from a Resident Entrepreneur.

More


Back next month

Small Business logo

Small Business Advice Week is returning this September. 

The theme for 2017 is growth and productivity, with the week set to see leading experts and businesses provide all important advice on how SMEs can maximize growth and productivity in 2018.

This year’s partners include The Institute of Chartered Accountants for England and Wales (ICAEW), EDF Energy, RateSetter, XLN, D-Link, 123 Reg, Kashflow, 9Spokes, and Barracuda.

More


Networking in Havering

network meeting

Networking is a proven way to build good relations with other businesses, which can lead to referrals and new business. There are a number of networking groups in Havering including those listed below.

Havering Chamber of Commerce and Industry hold regular breakfast networking meetings on the second Friday of each month at Havering Museum in Romford. 

Havering B-Hive geared towards start-up businesses meet at various locations around the borough on the third Thursday of each month at 9.30am. It includes informal networking with presentations and pitches.

The Havering Business Network provides a unique opportunity for the local business community to engage with the Members and/or Senior Officers from the Council. Their next event is on Wednesday 30 November.

Havering Young Professionals Network aim to give the youth of Havering's businesses a platform to grow and develop long lasting relationships, in their own way. Events are held monthly at various times and locations, with a blend of traditional business networking with a youthful twist.

BNI Evolution Chapter meets each Wednesday morning at Maylands Golf Club, Colchester Road, Harold Park,  RM3 0AZ from 7am – 8.30am.

BNI Valour chapter meets each Tuesday morning at Thames Gateway YMCA, Rush Green Road, Romford, RM7 0PH from 7am - 8.30am.

Collier Row Business Network Forum holds a number of workshops, and seminars throughout the year and is a chance to network with other local Collier Row businesses. The Forum is for all businesses including sole traders and home businesses to discuss and support each other. 

4N networking group meets every fortnight at Liberty Bell, Mercury Gardens, Romford, RM1 3EN on Thursdays from 8am - 10am.

ebn Upminster and Hornchurch group meets at Manor Hotel, Berwick Pond Road, Rainham, RM13 9EL from 8am - 10am on alternate Tuesdays.

Forum of Private Business meets on the second Friday of each month at YMCA, Roneo Corner, Rush Green Road, Romford, RM7 OPH, from 7.30am. More information: Gerry Goldner.

Romford Makerspace Meetup Are you are a maker, a 3D print enthusiast, or into robotics? Do you like tinkering with electronics and technology? Are you are close to Romford, and interested in meeting similar people locally? Then, this is the group for you.  Join in a twice monthly meetup to share ideas and plan ahead. 

WordPress meetups are the chance for all WordPress users (and those who want to know more about WordPress) to get together and discuss various aspects of designing, developing and marketing WordPress websites and blogs. Meeting on the third Tuesday of every month from 6pm at The Retailery, in Romford's Market Place.

Check group websites for latest info.