News of a digital boost for Rainham, more meet the buyer events, and a new networking opportunity.

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News for businesses in Havering, January 2019.


Digital boost for Rainham

Rainham library and flats

As part of the Local London Partnership, Havering has secured £800k through the London Authority’s Strategic Investment Pot, to be used to improve digital connectivity in the Rainham area.

The new fibre connection will provide a world class infrastructure and could be used to help manage transport, traffic planning, community safety and environmental monitoring.

It is also anticipated that the introduction of this new digital infrastructure will help to stimulate additional investment by the private sector, allowing for greater connectivity for businesses within the Rainham area.

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Bid for work

Meet the Buyer event 17 Jan 2019

Havering Council is working with developers to give local construction companies opportunities to bid for work in the area.

The Council is in a joint venture with Wates Residential to transform 12 estates across the borough to deliver around 3,000 homes for local people across the borough over the next 12 years.

Last week the first of a series of meet the buyer events took place in Hornchurch (pictured). Subsequent events will be held on 21 and 28 February, and 7 March.

Register

Join the Havering Supply Chain register and hear first-hand as opportunities arise: www.havering.gov.uk/supplychain


Next Havering Business Network

Havering Business Network

The next Havering Business Network meeting, titled Growth 4 Business, will be held on Tuesday 12 February from 6 to 8pm at the SEGRO Marketing Suite, Rainham, RM13 8GQ.

Havering Council is aiming to create a culture of growth amongst the SME business community through innovation, training, knowledge transfer and networking.

Hear about the latest opportunities for your business, and the Council's vision for supporting businesses in 2019 and beyond. There will be an opportunity to network with other businesses during the complimentary buffet.

Book


Three months until ULEZ

ULEZ sign

The central London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) begins this April.

The ULEZ will require vehicles driving into central London to meet new emissions standards or pay a daily charge. The scheme will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in the same area covered by the existing Congestion Charging Zone. It will be in addition to the existing Congestion Charge.

The scheme is designed to tackle the problem of toxic air in London. Around half of London’s air pollution is caused by road transport and the ULEZ is one of a range of measures to clean it up.

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Help with staffing

Essex University students

Looking to grow your business with extra staff? Not enough money in the budget? Then the University of Essex may be able to help. They are participating in the Santander Universities SME Internship Programme which offers a contributory grant to SMEs towards the cost of employing a graduate from the University.

An intern can help plan or deliver a specific project, or simply provide extra resource for a busy workload. Essex Interns is a free service that helps employers to recruit interns to a wide variety of internship roles. It’s also a great way to recruit if you’re looking to fill an entry level permanent vacancy.

For more information email: internships@essex.ac.uk

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Looking at leases

Lease workshops image Jan 2019

The Mayor of London is currently funding a free service to support London-based small and medium sized businesses, charities and social enterprises looking to take on a commercial lease.

The programme gives entrepreneurs and existing organisations access a series of free one-to-one sessions and masterclasses delivered by a range of commercial property and leasing professionals.

The programme is fully funded as part of the London Growth Hub but is due to end at the end of January. So take advantage of this free resource now.

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Supporting business

Brexit flag

The London Growth Hub and the Mayor of London have a Brexit Business Resource Hub to support businesses through the transition process, whatever the outcome.  

It brings together key resources from a range of partners to help you with business planning, supporting you to map areas of your business with potential exposure to Brexit, and then finding the help and tools to manage that exposure. The Hub will be updated regularly as the Brexit negotiations progress.

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Workshops at the British Library

Workshop image

The British Library runs workshops and webinars providing advice and support to businesses. Many of the events are free to join.

Topics covered over the next month range from a guide to SEO, how to protect your IP abroad to pitching for business.

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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.


Investing in Havering

Invest in Havering logo

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

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Advice available on your doorstep

Get Set for Growth

GetSet for Growth helps SMEs strengthen their business and marketing strategies in order to generate more money from more customers and help secure finance to invest in their growth.

The service has already supported over 5,200 businesses across the UK. The GetSet for Growth Havering programme is fully funded by Havering Council which means the support is free and available to businesses in Havering and the events are held in Eastern Road, Romford.

Workshops coming up include sessions on negotiations, tendering and writing bids.

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Networking in Havering

Business group

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.

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.


New networking option

CEME event poster Jan 2019

CEME in Rainham is launching a networking group on the first Friday of each month witht he initial meeting taking place on Friday 1 February.

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