Opportunities to meet the Council's buyers, digital skills training in Havering, and details of local business networking.

View in a browser

havering london borough
signup for updates

News for businesses in Havering, February 2019.


Meet our buyers

Havering Town Hall 700 px wide

Havering Council is seeking innovative ways to run its services.  This will include sourcing new services or products from suppliers.

Innovation is driven by the ability to see connections, to spot opportunities and to take advantage of them.  

To assist local businesses in making these connections, the Council is hosting one-to-one appointments with its senior buyers on Wednesday 20 March at the Town Hall, Romford.

There will be no direct purchasing at the event, but it will be an opportunity for businesses to pitch their innovative services/products.

Register


Balance4Better

Mercury Mall Romford 295 px wide

To mark International Women's Day in March you are welcome to join Havering Council and partners on Wednesday 6 March from 7pm at the Mercury Mall, Romford to hear from inspirational speakers talking about how gender balance drives a better working world.

They will lead some thoughtful discussion on how we can overcome adversity and make our business environments friendly.

More


Getting digital with it

havering adult college

Havering Council are working in partnership with Havering Adult College to deliver a digital skills programme for businesses to encourage online discoverability, and to maximise marketing opportunities by utilising social media. 

The Business Digital Skills programme is free of charge and will be delivered over five 2 hour sessions and will commence on 26 March, from 10am -12 noon at the Bower Park Centre.  You are required to attend all sessions to ensure you get the most from the digital skills training programme. 

To book and to find out more information please call Havering Adult College on 01708 434955. There are a limited number of spaces so it's on a first come, first served basis.


Are U ready for 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.

More


Bid for work

Meet the Buyer event stall 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.

The first of a series of meet the buyer events took place in Hornchurch last month and subsequent events will be held on 28 February and 7 March.

Register

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


Supporting business

Brexit flag

The London Growth Hub and the Mayor of London have what they call 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 the UK's exit from the EU, and then finding the help and tools to manage that exposure. The Hub will be updated regularly as the EU exit negotiations progress.

More


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 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 at local venues.

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

More


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 range from protecting a business idea, how to get your blog online, to tips on better photography for social media use.

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.

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. Here are details of just some of them:

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

BNI Eclipse meets on Tuesdays in Rainham. Meetings begin at 7:45 am prompt, and are wrapped up by about 9.30am. The venue is the CEME conference Marsh Way, Rainham, RM13 8EU. There is a £15 meeting fee that covers the room hire.

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.

CEME in Rainham has launched a networking group on the first Friday of each month. Held from 10am - midday at the CEME Launchpad centre it's a free networking opportunity.

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. 

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. 

Saint Francis Hospice Business Alliance meets on Thursday 4 April from 12- 2pm.

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.


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.

More