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Black History Month celebrations continue
The Council’s Black History Month (BHM) celebrations continue throughout the month, with a number of events and initiatives taking place to support local businesses.
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Only a few days left of our Pop-up Market at Southside
Our 10-day Black History Month pop-up market at Southside is on until Sunday 23rd October.
This year’s market features more than 20 businesses taking part with vendors selling items such as arts and crafts, jewellery, clothing, accessories, skincare, soft-furnishings, cakes, Caribbean pastries, greeting cards, gifts, books and more!
If you’re in the area over the next few days, why not head down to Southside and show them support.
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 Cllr Kemi Akinola, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member (Voluntary Sector, Business Engagement and Culture), officially opening the market.
 Customers at the market.
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Roots and Culture in Tooting
The Council’s High Street team is hosting a Roots and Culture event on Totterdown Street, Tooting (behind Tooting Market), Sunday 30th October 12:00 – 18:00.
The family friendly event - which has a Mental Health and Wellbeing theme - will be a celebration of African and Caribbean culture featuring live music, cultural dance, arts, poetry, comedy, traditional food, crafts, entertainment, and other activities.
Local author, Tony Fairweather, will also be talking about his book ‘Windrush London in Balham and Tooting in the 1950/60s.’
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Black History Month local business spotlight video series
The Council has put together a Black History Month video series which showcases business and individuals in the borough as they share their stories, provide insights into what Black History Month means to them and life in Wandsworth.
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Uber Eats significantly expands its Black Business Fund in 2022
In collaboration with Enterprise Nation and Be Inclusive Hospitality, the Uber Eats Black Business Fund will award a total of £250,000 to twenty-five small Black-owned businesses.
Black-owned restaurants with fewer than five locations can now apply to the Uber Eats Black Business Fund with applications closing on Friday 25th November. As well as funding to help grow their businesses, restaurants will receive special mentoring from Enterprise Nation.
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Global Entrepreneurship Week
Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), which is now in its 15th year, takes place 14th - 20th November.
The aim of the grassroots initiative is to empower entrepreneurs across the world to start or grow their business. This year is a call to action for the improvement and innovation of Ecosystems, Education, Inclusion and Policy to the benefit of all.
To find out more and see what events are available to attend visit here.
Our business support partners will also be hosting their own GEW events, visit organisations such as London Business Hub, FSB, Enterprise Nation and Virgin StartUp to find out more.
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Actions your business can take to navigate the energy crisis
As part of GEW, the Council’s Enterprise team has partnered with CREW Energy to deliver a free webinar designed to give businesses a better understanding of the current energy crisis and provide them with actions they can take to reduce their energy consumption.
A Q&A will follow the presentation and attendees will have the opportunity to book a free tailored 1-1 advice session with CREW Energy to discuss any challenges or issues they are facing with their energy costs.
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Wayfinder is back for businesses based in Wandsworth
In partnership with the London Business Hub, we launched the new Wayfinder service last year and connected over 400 small businesses to expert advice from a variety of trusted providers.
We’re delighted to announce that Wayfinder is back and ready to help business once again for the next phase of the programme.
The service is free and led by a dedicated team of Wayfinders who meet the business first and then match them to expert providers based on their needs or goals. The Wayfinders then remain on-hand throughout the business’ support journey to ensure the service has been impactful.
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Creatives wanted for Wandsworth Arts Fringe festival
Expressions of interest and grants are open now to be part of this summer’s Wandsworth Arts Fringe festival (WAF) 9th - 25th June.
Every Summer, WAF brings together hundreds of creatives in a bold and boundary pushing annual line-up of cutting-edge theatre and dance, brand new music, exhibitions, comedy, performance art, outdoor extravaganzas and everything in between, taking place across the borough of Wandsworth.
A testing ground for bold, experimental work, WAF is a proudly inclusive festival gathering artists from the width and breadth of the UK, from across globe, and from down the street.
Whatever kind of creative practitioner you are, if you want to try out new work, connect with creative networks and be part of something that thrills, moves and inspires audiences from across London and beyond, WAF wants you!
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Need funding for your creative project?
WAF offers up to £2,000 per project annually via WAF Grants, to help you make your WAF project happen, learn more here.
The Wandsworth Grant Fund also supports arts and culture projects in the borough with awards of up to £10,000, find out more here.
WAF also offers 50% off registration fees for artists under 26 or for artist collectives with over half of their members aged under 26.
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Get funding for your community project
The Wandsworth Grant Fund (WGF) provides small grants (£500 to £10,000) for community and voluntary sector organisations in the borough to undertake activities for up to 12 months. Applications for this round of funding are now open until Monday 7th November.
Looking for advice about how to make an application or want more information about what the fund is for? Join the online meet the funder event to find out more, Monday 24th October 16:00 – 17:00. Book your free place here.
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Wandsworth Night Time Strategy – have your say!
Residents and local businesses are being asked to comment on what life is like during the night time in their neighbourhood and across Wandsworth, as part of a wide-reaching Council plan to make the streets more active, welcoming and safe at night.
You can share your thoughts by filling out a quick survey or by using the interactive map where you can drop virtual ‘pins’ on specific locations (like a street corner) with comments about what improvements you would like to see.
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Wandsworth Council's Cllr Kemi Akinola
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Help shape shared vision for supporting local people
Wandsworth charities and community groups are invited to help create a stronger, more supportive relationship between the Council and the voluntary sector.
Cllr Kemi Akinola, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member (Voluntary Sector, Business Engagement and Culture), is hosting a free in-person event which will look at how the relationship with the council and the Voluntary sector can be further strengthened and consider the impact of the cost of living crisis as it relates to the voluntary and community sector.
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Free Cargo Bike Hire
With the rising cost of fuel, now might be the time to use one of the 3 cargo bikes available to hire in the borough!
They are located outside of; London Cycle Workshop on St Johns Hill, Life of Fish on Moyser Road and the Doddington and Rollo Community Association off Battersea Park Road. All rides under 2 hours are free and thereafter are £3 per hour.
To register to use the cargo bikes and to find out more go to Our Bike.
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Receive a grant to have an EV chargepoint installed at your commercial property
The EV Chargepoint Grant for Commercial Landlords is for commercial landlords looking to install electrical vehicle chargepoints at their property.
The grant covers up to 75% of the cost to buy and install a chargepoint socket, limited to £350 per grant for a total of 200 grants per year.
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Vendors wanted for Christmas market
Park Tavern is on the hunt for businesses to take part in their popular Christmas market, which takes place Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th December!
Gazebos will be provided and the cost to vendors is £15. Places are limited so if you are interested, email info@parktavernsw18.com to express your interest.
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Tooting Lights Up
Wandsworth Council's Highstreets team are hosting Tooting Lights Up, which takes place Sunday 23rd October from 12:00 - 18:00 and will be a celebration of Diwali in the heart of Tooting on Totterdown Street SW17.
This one day outdoors family friendly vibrant and diverse free festival is open to the local community, visitors alike to celebrate the victory of light over darkness.
The event will host a range of live music, dance performances, street food including vegan and vegetarian dishes, Indian sweets, henna tattoos and much more.
Sunrise Radio will also host the stage including classical Indian dance, Bollywood dance, drummers, bhangra dancers and much more. Come down and support your local businesses.
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Local Stories
Nazim's
The award winning Nazmin’s opened in Earlsfield 56 years ago and is one of the oldest Indian restaurants in South London. It’s owner Mayon Miah, shares his story. Read it here.
The HummingBirds
We spoke to Daniel, founder of The HummingBirds, about setting up his charity during lockdown, having a ‘get it done’ motto, as well as the importance and benefits of sport. Read it here.
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FSB Awards
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We are encouraging local businesses businesses to enter into the 2023 FSB Awards which celebrates the achievements and contributions of small businesses and the self-employed across the UK. The awards are free to enter and awarded across the following 12 categories:
- Community Award
- Business & Product Innovation Award
- Large Small Business of the Year
- Family Business of the Year
- Micro Business of the Year
- Self-employed / Freelancer of the Year
- Start-Up Business of the Year
- Sustainability Award
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (age 30 & under)
- Exporter of the Year
- Diversity & Inclusion Award
- Service Excellence Award
Application deadline is 9th February for businesses based in London.
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Business Support Events and Programmes
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Grow your creative business seminar by Chocolate Films
Social enterprise Chocolate Films is hosting a free to attend breakfast seminar, 9:30 - 12:30, at Matt’s Gallery in Nine Elms on Thursday 17th November which will look at steps creative entrepreneurs can take to grow their business.
The event will also introduce some of the new opportunities for local creatives coming up at the Chocolate Films studio, which opens in the new year.
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FSB: Stress Management for small business owners
Tuesday 1st November 11:00 – 12:15
FSB's free online event will provide you with practical strategies on how to reduce stress, boost wellbeing and resilience, manage your self-care so you can sustain your leadership, improve productivity and drive your business results.
Find out more here
St Mary’s University nutrition and genetics course
Wednesday 2nd November 13:30 – 17:15
St Mary’s University Nutrition and Genetics research group has developed a short online interactive course designed to support nutritionists, dietitians and all learners navigate this complex subject area. The course has been endorsed by the Association for Nutrition (AfN) for the continuing professional development of nutrition professionals.
Find out more here
London Business Hub: How to Maintain Profit in an Era of Rising Prices
Thursday 3rd November 12:30 - 13:30
At the London Business Hub's free online event you will explore the factors that are impacting small businesses which may be affecting your margins and what steps you can put in place to ensure your business maintains profits.
Find out more here
Better Futures Plus: Sustainability improvement programme
Register your business and receive a variety of resources and support towards making your business more sustainable and meet Net Zero Carbon emissions.
Find out more here
IPSE BOOST: Incubator Programme for the Self-Employed
A free 12-month incubator programme run by The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) designed to guide freelancers through the beginning of their self-employed journey, as well as those looking strengthen the foundations of their existing business.
Find out more 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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