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Council pledges to work together with businesses and charities
The Council’s new business spokesperson, Deputy Council Leader Councillor Kemi Akinola, has pledged her support for the business community and spoke about the Council’s ambitions to make Wandsworth a fairer place.
Cllr Akinola said: “I’m committed to listening to local businesses and charities, hearing the issues they are facing and understanding how the council can support them. It was great to meet such a range of business owners and hear their passion for the borough.”
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Resources to help your business mitigate rising costs
Increases in the cost of living and trading is impacting business from all sectors.
In response, NatWest business have created a hub which provides a variety up to date resources, solutions and advice to help your business mitigate rising costs.
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Apply Now for Membership at Mission Kitchen
Based in Nine Elms, Mission Kitchen is a shared workspace for food businesses. It offers flexible access to commercial kitchens, co-working space and inspiring events.
The site is now home to a community of more than 100 independent food businesses including caterers, street food traders and food products of every kind. There are still a limited number of membership spaces available. So if you work in food and could benefit from part-time use of high quality kitchens, or an inspiring co-working space where you can collaborate with other foodies, visit the Mission Kitchen website now to find out more or arrange a tour.
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Wandsworth Lifelong Learning recognised for its high-quality training
The Council’s Lifelong Learning has been awarded the Mayor of London’s skills Academics Quality Mark 2022 for the high-quality training they deliver in responding to the needs of employers in priority sectors.
Wandsworth Lifelong Learning provides a wide variety of online and in-person courses, including providing vital training to enable people to learn the digital skills required by local businesses.
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Become a small business mentor
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.
You will need to commit 10 hours over 12 weeks to support a small business with their growth action plan. In return, you’ll receive training and membership from the Association of Business Mentors.
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Nominations for the Wandsworth Civic Awards are now open
Wandsworth Civic Awards shine a light on people or organisations who have made a positive impact on the borough over the past year, and nominations are now open!
Last year’s winners include Jonathan Dyson, chair of the Northcote Road Business Network, for helping attract thousands of residents and visitors to the local area, supporting local businesses and playing a crucial role in making the pedestrianisation of Northcote Road a success.
Power2Connect also won the Covid-19 Group Civic Award for their crucial work during the pandemic, distributing laptops to families in the borough who weren’t otherwise able to get online.
We are encouraging residents to nominate those they believe deserve wider recognition and their achievements celebrated. So, if you run a voluntary organisation, or know someone who does, make sure to get your nomination in by 17:00 Thursday 1st September.
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£18,000 scholarship for makers
Applications for the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) £18,000 scholarship are now open!
The scholarship is open to a broad range of makers who are looking to further their craft development through a variety of training.
Applications close 17:00 Monday 15th August.
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12-week programme for Black entrepreneurs
Black Equity Organisation and Sky are running a 12-week programme with the goal of breaking down significant barriers faced by Black British entrepreneurs wanting to launch or grow their own business.
Starting in September, the programme consists of workshops, events and networking opportunities from expert business advisors, coaches and mentors. The programme will provide Black entrepreneurs access to supply chains and investment opportunities, including offering funding of up to £15,000!
Applications close 20th August.
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Get involved in the Brighter Living Fair
Organisations that provide care and support services in the borough are invited to get involved in this year’s Brighter Living Fair which aims to promote healthy, safe and independent living.
Taking place 1st - 10th of October, the fair will consists of a series of events across the borough, with this year's themes being: ‘learning and using technology’ and ‘staying independent within the community’.
So if your organisation provides care, technology, health and wellbeing services or has something else to offer, then you could receive up to £250 funding to host an event for the fair, as well as receive support publicising it.
Apply by Sunday 14th August.
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Make Your Mark on a New Wandsworth Venue
World Heart Beat Music Academy (WHB) is calling for local businesses to ‘Name a Seat’ in their new concert venue and education centre in Embassy Gardens, as they reach the ‘Last Mile’ of their fundraising campaign. The venue has a 200 capacity (120 seated) and will have a busy programme of global music concerts from emerging and international artists, accessible to Wandsworth residents. It opens in September 2022.
WHB is one of the borough’s leading charities, which benefits young people, including those living in difficult circumstances. Naming a seat is a fantastic way to demonstrate your support for the Wandsworth Community.
Seat sponsorship is £1,000. Find out more here or contact Sal Sherratt, Director of Philanthropy and Commercial at sal@worldheartbeat.org
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The National Entrepreneur Awards
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Local businesses are being encouraged to enter the National Entrepreneur Awards which are a great way to shine a spotlight on the amazing achievements of local entrepreneurs, whether this be by building their own businesses and putting something back into their local communities.
Awards will be given across eight categories:
- Best Business Enabler
- Best Marketing Campaign
- The Getting It Done
- Best Customer Service
- Most Impressive Growth
- Best Family Business of the Year
- Most Inspiring Business Person of the Year
- The Entrepreneur of the Year
Winning an award has the advantage of raising brand awareness and giving national recognition for their areas of excellence, which can boost staff morale and create new networking opportunities.
The high profile awards ceremony will take place Sunday 25th September and will be hosted by Jimmy Carr.
Nominations close at 23:00 on Sunday 31st July
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Business Support Events and Programmes
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Do you have an app idea you’d love to launch but don’t know how to code?This is for you...
In August, OneTech is launching a free programme to empower entrepreneurs to build their own apps - no coding skills required.
Created in partnership with Tectonic and JP Morgan Chase, this programme will equip you with the skills and expert insights you need to transform your app idea into reality in just 12 weeks!
Applications close on Monday 1st August.
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 Hugh Richard Wright
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Do-It-Yourself PR
Taking place at Mission Kitchen, this in-person event hosted by Hugh Richard Wright will teach you the PR skills to make your food business stand out from the crowd.
You will learn what PR involves, how to contact the right people and how to position your brand to make maximum impact. Tickets cost £15 and are open to both Mission Kitchen members and non-members.
Wednesday 10th August 14:30 – 16:30
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The Future of Marketing and What You Need to Know
Wednesday 27th July 20:00 – 21:30
Join this free Small Business Network, Tooting webinar where Zoë Crawford from ZAC Marketing will discuss marketing trends, how they affect small businesses and shifting to a more targeted customer apporach.
Find out more here
General Assembly: Intro to Social Media Strategy webinar
Monday 15th August 18:00 – 20:00
This free webinar, lead by an industry professional, will provide you with a foundational understanding of how to implement an effective social media strategy across various social media platforms.
Find out more here
Virgin StartUp: StepUp programme
Tuesday 6th - Friday 9th September
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 30th August.
Find out more here
Business sustainability improvement programme
Tuesday 6th September - Tuesday 11th October
Delivered by Small Business Britain 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.
Find out more here
12 Ronnies: Startup Hackathon 2022
Saturday 10th - Sunday 11th September 11:00 - 17:00
The Startup Hackathon will bring together founders with mentors and co-founders to help develop a new business with strong foundations. The aim of the event is to lauch 100 businesses in 48 hours. Online and in-person tickets available.
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 Forums with Wandsworth Council
Wednesday 3rd August 09:30 - 11:00
Hear from Wandsworth Council and the Chamber about the latest updates affecting businesses. This is also a great opportunity for businesses to raise any queries they may have, to make suggestions and to share their own experiences.
Find out more here
Earlsfield Networking with Wandsworth Chamber
Wednesday 10th August 18:00 – 21:00
Join Chamber Members and guests for this in-person networking evening at The Earlsfield gastropub, next to Earlsfield railway station. 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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