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Advice and tips on how to boost and grow your hospitality business |
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In the wake of Covid, the hospitality industry has been forced to react, change plans, and adapt their business model – so much so that many founders aren't sure of their foundations anymore.
On 27th June, the Council is running a free online event in association with Food Industry Expert Jane Milton. The interactive session will provide hospitality and food businesses with the opportunity to get together to hear from a panel of industry experts, who will share their tried and tested ways on how to strengthen, grow and get your Wandsworth business back on track.
The session will cover how to:
- Navigate and take control of rising costs
- Improve your margins
- Reduce wastage and improve sustainability
- Find and retain the right staff
Monday 27th June 09:30 – 11:00
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Support local makers at the Made in Wandsworth pop-up market
 On Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June, the Council’s Business Team will be hosting the Made in Wandsworth pop-up market as part of Wandsworth Arts Fringe (WAF).
The market, which takes place on Northcote Road (between Wakehurst and Kelmscott Road), will feature a range of arts and crafts makers selling hand-made wares such as: greetings cards, jewellery, art, clothes and more! Put the date in your diary and come support your local makers!
There are still a couple of stalls available to vendors, so if you’re a local maker interested in taking part email weh@wandsworth.gov.uk
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Reduce your emissions this Clean Air Day
Clear Air Day, which takes place today, is the UK's largest campaign aimed at reducing air pollution. Air pollution is recognised by The World Health Organisation and the UK Government as the largest environmental health risk we face today. Global Action Plan, who launched Clean Air Day, have provided information and resources on how businesses can reduce air pollution, which can be found here.
To mark Clean Air Day, the Council hosted a Cargo Bikes event this morning, inviting businesses and residents to see how they can utilise cargo bikes in an effort to reduce their emissions. If you were unable to attend the event, don’t worry you can find information about how your business can utilise cargo bikes here.
Liberty Charge, one of the UK’s fastest growing electric vehicle charge point operators (CPOs), will also be taking part in Clean Air Day and will have a stall at 69 St John's Road from 09:00 - 16:00, where you can find out more about utilising electric vehicles.
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Get support purchasing a wide variety of bikes
The Council is offering support to businesses who are thinking about utilising more sustainable delivery or transportation methods.
Businesses who are considering purchasing cargo bikes, e-bikes, trailers or regular bicycles can now try before they buy with the Council’s subsidised ‘Try Before You Bike’ Scheme.
The scheme is run in partnership with Peddle My Wheels and includes a 3-month free subscription for businesses wishing to try a cargo bike.
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Go plastic free this July and beyond
Plastic Free July is a global movement, launched by the Plastic Free Foundation, which aims at encouraging people and organisation worldwide to rethink their relationship to single-use plastic and improve their recycling habits in order to help tackle plastic pollution and climate change.
Wandsworth Council is marking Plastic Free July with an event for businesses which will focus on:
- Why reducing plastic is important
- How to reduce plastic usage
- How your business can benefit from going plastic free
Join us and network with other business to get top tips, ideas and tried techniquies for how to become a plastic free business.
The event will take place Friday 8th July, 12:00 – 13:00 at the Scratch Hub, Battersea Arts Centre.
Has your business reduced its plastic usage or consumption?
If it has and you would like to share your story at the Plastic Free July event at the Scratch Hub then email aimee.brough@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk to enquire about getting involved.
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Artist wanted for public project!
The Council is seeking an artist to design a bench situated on Bedford Hill, Balham.
The aim of the commission is to bring to life the existing wooden composite seating, creating something which is both functional, artistically interesting and engaging. See the Artists Brief for the full scope of the commission.
To apply, fill out the Application Form and email up to five images of your proposed work, to Lucy Murray the Arts & Culture Programme and Partnerships Manager: lucy.murray@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk
Application close 30th June
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Take part in Happy Streets Festival 2022
Local food, drink or catering businesses have until Monday 20th June to express an interest in setting up a stall at the family-friendly Happy Streets Festival in Battersea on Saturday 9 July.
From 12noon to 6pm, local artists and performers will take centre stage across multiple venues around the Thessaly Road area.
Local residents and visitors will enjoy live music, dance and theatre performances plus yoga and reflection sessions open for everyone to try, as well as crafts, activities and pizza-making throughout the day.
Wandsworth Council's free festival will be running across main venues at St George’s School, the ROSE Community Clubroom, Carey Gardens and the Yvonne Carr Centre. Additional activities will be held at Stewarts Road Adventure Playground, Patmore Forest Gardens and St George’s Church.
Happy Streets Festival wants to hear from you! Register your interest in trading at the festival by filling in the Happy Streets 2022 business participation form by Monday 20 June.
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Become a small business mentor
Did you know that 61% of small business owners mentor others?
Become a business mentor as part of the government’s Help to Grow: Management programme to share your experience and offer reassurance to a budding entrepreneur. In return, you’ll receive training and membership from the Association of Business Mentors.
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Advancing the growth potential of UK’s Ethnic Minority businesses
A new report from Aston University has set out a blueprint for advancing the growth potential of Ethnic Minority businesses (EMBs) in the UK.
The Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME) has partnered with NatWest for the Time to Change report which sets out ten evidence-based recommendations to promote greater success and inclusion of Ethnic Minority businesses (EMBs) in finance and business support in the UK.
The report, launched last month at an event with Trevor Phillips OBE as keynote speaker, sets out ten evidence-based recommendations for advancing the growth potential of ethnic minority businesses (EMBs) including increasing their GVA contribution from the current £25 billion a year to £100 billion.
It calls for central government and local decision makers to implementation the recommendations and develop clear objectives for inclusive entrepreneurship, informed by evidence, ensuring that EMBs can access quality business support, finance and markets that will help them grow.
Andrew Harrison, Head of Business Banking at NatWest Group, said: “As the UK’s biggest bank for business, we’re committed to championing small businesses and supporting growth, but we know that there are barriers which disproportionately affect Ethnic Minority Businesses (EMBs). This is why we aim for at least 20% of the places on our 13 nationwide accelerator hubs to be for ethnic minority entrepreneurs. In 2021, 26% of businesses in our hubs were EMBs."
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Do you work in the construction industry?
Come along to Work Match’s ‘Construction Careers & Recruitment Fair’ at South Thames College to gain access to free training, information, advice and guidance.
There will also be the opportunity to find job vacancies as well as apprenticeship roles.
Thursday 23rd June 11:00 – 15:00
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Concerned about the area around your business premises?
StreetSafe is an online reporting tool that enables people to anonymously report public places which they deem to be unsafe due to things like poor street lighting, vandalism or other environmental issues.
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Barclay’s Entrepreneur Awards 2022
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Barclays is looking to celebrate the UK’s incredible entrepreneurs and their unique journeys. The Barclays Entrepreneur Awards recognises the achievements of entrepreneurs across eight award categories:
- Start-up
- Sustainability
- International expansion
- Scale-up
- Social
- Games
- Eagle Labs Innovation
- Barclaycard Next Level
Winners of an award will attend the prestigious awards ceremony which will highlight entrepreneurs and their businesses, giving them national recognition for their achievements.
Nominations close at midnight on Friday 1st July 2022
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Business Support Events and Programmes
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A local entrepreneur shares how the Wayfinder service has helped their business
"The Wayfinder programme is a fantastic resource which had a valuable impact on my new business. It offered important advice on the key areas on which I needed to focus and provided introductions to sources of information that have proved invaluable.
Further mentoring helped me clarify any misunderstandings that remained. I would definitely recommend Wayfinder for new businesses like myself but also for those that have already been running; the bespoke approach will be an asset to all.”
– Maxine Binger, founder of Koobool, children's book review business based in Wandsworth.
Wayfinder is a free London Business Hub programme being run in partnership with Wandsworth Council.
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London Business Hub: Accessing Finance for Small Business
Thursday 30th June 10:00 - 13:00
Join this online event to gain a greater understanding of where to access financial support and what funding options are available to help.
Find out more here
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.
Find out more here
Virgin StartUp: StepUp programme
Tuesday 19th July - Friday 22th July
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.
Find out more here
Small Business Britain: Sustainability Basics programme
Delivered in partnership with Oxford Brookes Business School, this free six week programme aims to help your small business improve it's sustainability and use it to your commercial advantage. The programme starts Tuesday 6th September.
Find out more here
IPSE BOOST: Incubator Programme for the Self-Employed
Have you recently become self-employed? Are you thinking about it? Sign-up to BOOST in order to receive 12-months of free ongoing support and guidance.
Find out more here
Kingston Business School: Help to Grow Management course
Boost your business's performance, resilience and long term growth. Designed specifically for small and medium sized enterprises and delivered by expert facilitators at the business school, join this 12-week course that’s 90% funded by the government. There are 2 intakes left for the year, August and October.
Find out more here
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Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce
Wandsworth Chamber connects, supports, promotes and helps local businesses to grow.
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Upcoming Events:
Wandsworth Business Forum with Wandsworth Council
Wednesday 6th July 09:30 – 11:00
Join the Wandsworth Business Forums online with Wandsworth Council for the latest updates. This is also a great opportunity for businesses to ask questions, share experiences, ask for help or just be heard.
Find out more here
Battersea Networking with Wandsworth Chamber
Wednesday 13th July 18:00 – 21:00
Join Chamber Members and guests for this in-person networking evening at HANNAH in Clapham Junction, Battersea. Limited places open to Wandsworth Chamber members and non-members.
Find out more here
Visit Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce here.
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Wandsworth Enterprise Hub
Need business support, events or programmes to help start or grow your business? Look no further than the Wandsworth Enterprise Hub.
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My Virtual Wandsworth
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.
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Business and Licensing
Visit the Council's Business and Licensing page for information on business licensing, business rates, business premises and much more.
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