World Environment Day 2022 takes place on 5th June and local businesses are being encouraged to do their bit. The event marks the biggest day for environmental outreach, with this year theme being #OnlyOnePlant.
The aim of the day – which is led United Nations Environment Programme – is to raise awareness about climate change, by engaging with people and organisations all over the world and encouraging positive change to protect our planet.
Positive change is driven at home by individuals and small businesses, not only can becoming more sustainable positively impact our planet, but it can also save your business money and enhance your brand to make more revenue.
If you are wanting to make your small business more environmentally friendly but aren’t sure how, join the Council’s How to make your business sustainable webinar on Tuesday 14th June 11:30 – 12.30 to find out what steps you can take to make your business more sustainable.
Local businesses owners are invited to attend a cargo bike networking event on June 16th, at the Ram Quarter.
The event, which is being hosted by the Council’s Transport Team, will provide information and advice on the steps businesses can take to utilise cargo bikes to cut costs, carbon emissions and improve their sustainability.
Wandsworth Arts Fringe is back – and we’re bringing it to the dancefloor
Wandsworth Council’s flagship festival, Wandsworth Arts Fringe (WAF), returns for 17 days of music, spoken word, theatre, comedy and dance happening all over the borough from Friday 10th to Sunday 26th June.
With 150 events to choose from, get ready for an explosion of colour in the streets, intimate live performances in surprise locations and a huge celebration of dance, woven through our whole programme, as we get back to the business of taking over Wandsworth’s pubs, theatres, galleries, studios and churches for another year of WAF.
Tickets are on sale now for #WAF2022’s full programme.
The Council’s Enterprise team is on the hunt for local crafts businesses to take part in a pop-up market.
The market - Made in Wandsworth - will take on place 25th and 26th June, on the Northcote Road, as part of WAF. Businesses interested in taking part should register their interest by 29th May.
London Tech Week, the UK's tech flagship event returns next month. The event, which takes place 13th – 17th June, provides a platform for influential individuals, leaders and organisations to come together and discuss the vital role of technology on society.
Since the launch of the initiative in 2014, London Tech Week has grown to become Europe's largest festival of technology. This theme for this year’s event is ‘Be part of the future’ and key topics include: tech for good, tech investment, digital sustainability, climate tech and from start-ups to unicorns.
For more information and the events list visit London Tech Week.
The Council is offering local businesses the opportunity to access free digital support, via its Digital Boost programme. Entrepreneurs can access ongoing 1-1 mentoring, workshops and resources to help them develop their digital skills, as well as tips on how to get and grow their business online. Advice on website creation, social media and marketing is also available.
Looking for a flexible workspace for your business?
The Scratch Hub at Battersea Arts Centre is a flexible workspace offering a range of Membership plans, from PAYG hot-desking to your own dedicated fixed desk, including bespoke options for teams. Day Passes are also available, and they offer a free trial for anyone looking to become a Member. Join a friendly and relaxed workspace where members can share skills, grow their businesses and spark new connections, situated just an 8-minute walk from Clapham Junction Station.
Does your business operate during the evening or night time? The Council are developing a Night Time Strategy to better understand how to make the night time a better experience for everyone living, working and visiting the borough.
You have until 27th May to contribute to the survey.
If you want to be kept up to date on the latest business news, support and events in the borough, make sure you’re following us on social media. You can find us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and we have recently moved our Facebook page.
So if you haven’t already done so, give us a like and a follow.
Local businesses are being encouraged to enter the Queen’s Award for Enterprise - a globally recognised royal seal of approval for UK companies. Awards are presented to businesses that have made an outstanding achievement in one of the four categories: Innovation, International Trade, Sustainable Development, and Promoting opportunity through social mobility.
Winning or being shortlisted for an award has the advantage of raising brand awareness, highlighting areas of excellence, boosting staff morale and creating networking opportunities.
Prepare your cameras for more than meets the eye, with our life size legendary shape shifting ‘robots in disguise’ – Bumblebee and Razor the Dinosaur Raptor will descend on Northcote Road SW11 on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June as part of the Queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The impressive robot and dinosaur stands roughly three metres tall, who are set to meet their biggest admirers at intervals between 12noon and 4:00pm. Bumblebee and Razor will meet, greet, and pose for pictures with the younger audience.
Adding to the family fun over the jubilee weekend will be a small funfair and other attractions between Wakehurst Road and Kelmscott Road.
Business Support Events and Programmes
Setting goals to accelerate your small business
Join us at this online workshop with NatWest Enterprise to find out why visioning is so important, how to revise your business plan and how to set measurable and manageable goals that will keep you inspired.
National Freelancers Day is an annual event organised by the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE). Taking place Thursday 16th June, the online event features keynote speakers, networking opportunities with other contractors, consultants and independent professionals, as well as 1-1 advice.
If you are considering becoming self-employed/freelance, or have recently done so, why not sign up for the Council’s BOOST: Incubator Programme? Run in association with IPSE, the free programme is designed to help guide you on your self-employed journey with access to business support, legal/tax advice and online resources.
How to adapt your hospitality business and navigate rising costs
Take part in our free online panel discussion with five industry experts who will share their tried and tested ways to get your hospitality business back into strong, healthy growth.
The discussion will focus on taking control of costs, keeping an eye on your margins, controlling and reducing wastage, as well as finding and retaining staff. There will be opportunities to share your own experience and ask questions throughout the session.
Making your business more environmentally friendly can save money and enhance your brand to create more revenue. Join our free webinar to find out how to get started on making your small business more environmentally friendly.
Wandsworth’s Big Fuel Up – A Cargo Bike Networking Event
–
Taking place at Ram Quarter on Wandsworth High Street, Wandsworth Council’s Transport Team is putting on a networking event where businesses and organisations in the borough can find out how they can utilise cargo bikes.
StepUp is a free 4-day online programme consisting of workshops and networking opportunities which will help founders develop their skills and knowledge in order to grow their business. Applications close Tuesday 12th July.
Wayfinder: A free 1-to-1 business support & advice service
Receive advice and support from carefully selected expert providers on a range of business-related issues. Read how Wayfinder has helped business owners overcome their challenges here.
Help to Grow: Helping SME’s to innovate and scale following the pandemic
Help to Grow: Management offers training to help SME business leaders to increase productivity, seize investment opportunities and grow their business. Help to Grow: Digital helps businesses find, buy and adopt digital technologies to improve productivity.
Digital Boost programme: Grow your business online
Receive free 1-to-1 mentoring, workshops, courses and resources to help develop digital skills in social media content strategy, website optimisation, SEO and more.
Wandsworth Chamber connects, supports, promotes and helps local businesses to grow.
Upcoming Events:
Wandsworth Business Forum with Wandsworth Council
Wednesday 1st June 09:30 – 11:00
Join online for the Wandsworth Business Forums with Wandsworth Council updates and access to Business Experts. This is also a great opportunity for businesses to ask questions, share experiences, ask for help or just be heard.
Join Chamber Members and guests for this in-person networking evening at The Earlsfield PH. Open to Wandsworth Chamber members and non-members but places are limited.
Want to promote your business to local residents? My Virtual Wandsworth features more than 600 local businesses – make sure yours is one of them! List it in our online directory.
