Two weeks to change your life, great chances to improve your digital skills, and loads of local networking opportunities

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News for businesses in Havering, 24 April 2019.

Be aware

ULEZ signage in street March 2019

The central London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) began on 8 April.

It requires vehicles driving into central London to meet new emissions standards or pay a daily charge. The scheme operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in the same area covered by the existing Congestion Charging Zone. It is 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. From 25 October 2021 the ULEZ boundary will be extended to create a larger zone bounded by the North and South Circular Roads.

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Getting digital with it

Havering 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 7 May, 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.

Two weeks to change your life

Romford Pop up Business school logo Apr 2019

A life-changing two-week training course is coming to Romford.

The course provides participants with the support and tools to start a business.

The free Pop-Up Business School, which runs across the UK and is visiting Havering for the first time in May, helps potential entrepreneurs and small businesses kick-start their careers, teaching a range of work-related skills.

Funding for the course comes from Wates Giving, the charitable arm of the Wates Family Enterprise Trust. It follows a grant application from Havering Council’s joint venture partner, Wates Residential, and is designed to bring additional benefits of regeneration to the community.

The two-week course will run from 13 to 24 May in the Mercury Mall, Romford.

The training schedule includes a mix of practical sessions, one-to-one coaching, workshop sessions and peer support.

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EUseful information

EU business image

If you are an EU citizen living in Havering, a business that exports to the EU, or planning a holiday to an EU/EEA country this year, you may have questions about how the UK's planned exit from the EU may affect you.

Havering Council's website has a page of useful information and links.

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Workshops at the British Library

Business seminar at British Library

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 include how to protect a business idea, a guide to SEO for businesses, and tips as to how to use your smartphone for better photography for your business.

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Congratulations

MARS logo

Long established Romford-based business Metro Security (GB) PLC, which employs 35 staff and celebrated its fortieth trading anniversary in Havering last year, has been honoured with a 2019 Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category.

The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious annual awards for UK businesses, recognising and celebrating business excellence across the UK.

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Charging ahead

EV charging bay at CEME

Havering Council is considering building a network of electric vehicle charging points to help to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles by making charging more convenient for businesses, residents and visitors.

The switch to electric vehicles will deliver air quality improvements for us all and help to achieve the goals of our air quality action plan. Havering has seen an increase in the uptake of electric vehicles, from 16 in 2011 to 420 in 2018.

Share your views.

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  • 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 12.30pm 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.

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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