New business premises in Romford, details of great local networking opportunities, and much more.

View in a browser
havering london borough
signup for updates

News for businesses in Havering. July 2018.

New website for BID

London Riverside BID website home page

The London Riverside Business Improvement District (BID) has launched a new website packed full of useful information and business opportunities. It includes a section where BID Members can present ideas and proposals to be part-funded by BID budgets. Projects must benefit a group of businesses and be at least part funded by the businesses or their landlords.

  • The London Riverside BID's AGM will take place on Thursday 13 September at CEME, Marsh Way, Rainham at 8.30 am.

More 

Open for business

Workerbee launch July 2018

A new firm providing serviced office space in central Romford opened earlier this month.

Havering's Mayor, Cllr Dilip Patel, performed the official opening ceremony at Worker Bee in Eastern Road, just 100 metres from Romford station.

He described the new offices as "state of the art" and said that that he was sure the new offices would be "a very attractive proposition for those businesses who want to collaborate, co-work and take advantage of the strong support that Havering offers its businesses, both new and established”.

More

Scaling new heights

Utilize PLC team

Last month, sixteen members of staff at Harold Hill-based technology company, Utlize Plc climbed the UK's three biggest mountains to raise  £13,000 for an Essex hospice.

Staff at Utilize organised the climb of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon to raise funds for Havens Hospices which cares for children, young people and adults with life-limiting illnesses across Essex.

Relaunching this week

HEWN logo

Women in Business is re-launching this week under a new name: ‘Havering Enterprising Women Network’. 

The launch event will be held on Wednesday 18 July at The Retailery in Romford's Market Place with the theme ‘Top Challenges Enterprising Women Face (and how to overcome them).'

More

Due an award?

GOV UK logo

The Queen's Awards for Enterprise offers awards for businesses that excel in the following categories:

  • Innovation
  • International trade
  • Sustainable development
  • Promoting opportunity through social mobility

Applications are free to enter and close on 12 September 2018.

More

Valuing volunteers

Value You logo

Havering Volunteer Centre have launched a Value You card in Havering which is a reward card for volunteers and they can receive anything from a free cup of coffee, 10% discount on haircuts, goods, clothing, and meals for being a volunteer in Havering. 

The volunteer must have contributed over 100 hours volunteering hours in the last 12 months, be involved in volunteering and be with a charity, NHS, voluntary group or community organisation. 13 London boroughs have now signed up to the card and The Volunteer Centre is looking for more businesses willing to participate in the scheme. 

More

Project funding opportunity

Worth project 2018

The EU-funded, WORTH Partnership Project encourages design and manufacturing across borders.

Designers and manufacturers working within the furniture, textiles, footwear, accessories, jewellery and leather sectors are encouraged to apply for project funding.

Several UK-based businesses were among those chosen in the initial round of applications. This call for entries closes on the 24 October. 

More

Being smart about travel

Cycle confident training course

There are lots of ways Havering Council's Smarter Travel Team can help your business including cycle training,  sustainable travel advice and grants for businesses.

Email Martin Day for more details.

More

Invest in Havering

Invest in Havering

If you are planning investment in Havering - or know a business that's considering this - visit our dedicated inward investment website.

More

Good luck

Jas' Punjab Kitchen

We wish Jas all the best in the Asian Restaurant and Food Awards 2018 that will be held on July 31. Jas' Punjabi Kitchen, located in the Retailery in Romford's Market Place, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the 'Restaurant of the Year' category.

More

Networking in Havering

Business networking

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.

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

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

BNI Integrity chapter, meets each Thursday morning at Barking & Dagenham College, Dagenham Road, Romford, RM7 0XU from 6.30 - 9am.

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. 

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

Havering B-Hive meet on the fourth Thursday of the month, 10 - 11:30am, at Yates, South Street, Romford. It's a space to share experience, receive support, and get to know other business people who understand the highs, lows and challenges of running a business.

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

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 every third Thursday of the month at the Retailery in Market Place, Romford, from 5 - 7pm with a blend of traditional business networking with a youthful twist.

Hornchurch Rotary Club hold a free to attend monthly networking meeting at The Railway Hotel, Station Lane in Hornchurch. It's from 12.30 - 2.30pm. A 30 minute meeting is held at 12.30 followed by a Rotary Club lunch that includes a speaker from 1pm. Call 01708 440028 for more details.

Reach and Connect Networking, will be held on the first Thursday of each month. Attendance is free thanks to sponsorship from Kingston Smith.

Romford Makerspace Meetup Are you are a maker, a 3D print enthusiast, or into robotics? Do you like tinkering with electronics and technology? Then, this is the group for you. Join in a twice monthly meet-up to share ideas. 

WordPress meetups are the chance for WordPress users 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.

Your Business Community hold a breakfast networking event every two weeks on a Wednesday. It's held at the Liberty Bell in Romford starting at 8am. On-site parking is free. The group is an SME support organisation providing a comprehensive range of membership benefits.