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Council launches new workspace directory for entrepreneurs
Choosing the right business premises is a big decision for most entrepreneurs, which is why the Council’s Enterprise Team has launched the Wandsworth Workspace Directory to help local businesses, freelances and organisations find the right premises to start or grow their operations.
The directory features a comprehensive listing of more than 40 commercial properties across the borough, such as flexible workspaces, serviced offices, workshops, kitchens, studios and meeting rooms. The handy search filter will help you to find the right kind of workspace in the location of your choice. So if you’re just looking to hire a meeting room for a few hours, you can see which workspaces in the borough offer this. The directory also features an interactive map.
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Celebrating Wandsworth’s outstanding female business stars
Left to right clockwise: Rachel Wang (Chocolate Films), Sam Ubhi (Sam Ubhi), Ahana Banerjee (Clear), Louise Pendry (Bounce Theatre), Ayo Abbas (Abbas Marketing), Shahd Mahnavi (Moxies Fish Bar), Sophie Dunster (Gung Ho London), Joyce Akrasi (Akrasi Boutique), (Poppy’s Funerals), Kim Perlow (Link UP London) and Kimberly Graham (The Beauty Parlour by Kimberly Graham)
The winners of the Wandsworth Women’s Enterprise Awards were revealed last month at the Women’s Enterprise Day event, which saw more than 100 people in attendance.
The awards – which were launched in 2022 – were created to shine a spotlight on female-led businesses in Wandsworth. Winners and finalists were announced across six categories.
“Thank you for hosting such a wonderful event! I was so honoured to receive the Rising Star award and had a fantastic day meeting so many inspirational female entrepreneurs.” – Ahana Banerjee, founder of Clear and winner of the Rising Star award.
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Women’s Enterprise Day
More than 100 people attended last month’s Women’s Enterprise Day. The event, which took place at the Thames Rowing Club in Putney, featured motivational talks, interactive workshops and networking.
A digital brochure was produced to showcase some of the businesses founded by attendees of the event, which you can view/download here.
“Thank you so much for hosting an event that allowed women to come together to be recognised and supported. It was an amazing experience to meet such inspiring women.” Shahd Mahnavi, Moxie’s Fish Bar, winner of the High Street Hero award.
“Such an amazing day, I look forward to it every year! Thank you so much for organising a day filled with so many wonderful women in business.” Fatima Ali, founder of Maternal Serenity.
Next year, Women’s Enterprise Day will be 10 and we are planning a series of female focused events. We are keen to hear from you about any ideas you may have for potential speakers or activities you would like to see take place. Please email your suggestions to weh@wandsworth.gov.uk with the subject ‘WED 2024’.
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Free 1-to-1 business consultations
Whether you have an established business, have just launched your business, or need help getting your next idea off the ground, Start Up Wandsworth is here to help!
Delivered by GLL in partnership with Wandsworth Council and the British Library’s Business and IP Centre, Start Up Wandsworth will be hosting free 1-to-1 consultations to help you grow your business, limited slots available on Wednesday 26th April and Wednesday 10th May.
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Businesses urged to get involved with the Wandsworth Great Big Green Week
Great Big Green Week, the UK’s biggest celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature, takes place 10 – 18th June.
The Council’s Climate Change team is encouraging local businesses and organisations to run events, activities and drop-in sessions that promote positive behaviours around climate change and sustainability in the borough. The week is an opportunity to promote your ongoing sustainability work. Microgrants of £100 – £250 are being offered to enable these activities.
Deadline to apply for a microgrant is Friday 28th April
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Have your say on how to reach Net Zero
Join Wandsworth Council’s Net Zero strategy session at the Battersea Art Centre on Thursday 27th April 6-8pm and Friday 28th April 2-4pm to explore how we can reach net zero in Wandsworth. Participants will be paid for their time.
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Tell us what you think about the Night Time Strategy
The first draft of the new Wandsworth Night Time Strategy is complete, following extensive feedback from local people on what life is like between 6pm and 6am in their neighbourhoods. People who live, work and visit the borough are invited to read and comment on it by Sunday 14th May.
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Win a trading spot on Oxford Street
Small Business Goes Big by Enterprise Nation and Adobe Express are giving you the opportunity for your business to sell your products from a physical shop space on one of Europe's busiest shopping high streets, Oxford Street!
Use Adobe Express to make a simple page sharing your business story and saying why you deserve a spot on the coveted high street.
Competition closes midnight Monday 24th April
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The Council’s Cost of Living Commission
In response to the current cost of living crisis the Council has decided to hold an independent Cost of Living Commission, which will listen to residents and local organisations, as well as looking at all available data and research, in order to identify potential actions that we, our partners, the wider community and regional and national government may be able to take.
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Reduce stress by meeting fellow entrepreneurs
Small Business Britain and BT’s NetWalk on Wednesday 26th April is an opportunity for business owners to enjoy walks with like-minded professionals, build connections and a stronger business community while reducing everyday stress levels this Stress Awareness Month.
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Sell to a wider audience and grow your business
The UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference’s aim is to identify opportunities and give access to larger organisations to develop and grow UK black business entrepreneurs. The Meet the Buyer Pitch is an opportunity for six businesses the opportunity to pitch to some of the UK's top retailers, wholesalers and online retailers.
The deadline for registration is 12:00 Friday 28th April
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Watch: Women's Enterprise Day 2023 Highlights
We have put together a video where you can hear from the attendees of Women’s Enterprise Day 2023, which took place at Thames Rowing Club on 29th March.
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Business Awards
IPSE Freelancer Awards 2023
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Winning or being nominated for an award is a great way to raise your business profile and set yourself apart from the competition. IPSE is searching for the best and brightest UK freelancers and self-employed, as well as the people and businesses who do most to support the self-employed community, for their IPSE Freelancer Awards 2023 which champions freelancers and recognises innovation and excellence in the self-employed community.
Awards are given across the following twelve categories:
- Outstanding Freelancer Award
- Young Freelancer Award
- Freelancer Project Award
- New to Self-Employment Award
- Wellbeing Award
- Self-Employed Supplier Award
- Sustainability Award
- Community Champion Award
- Social Influencer Award
- Equality and Diversity Award
- IPSE Member of the Year Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award
Entrants can apply in multiple categories and all entries are free.
The deadline for entries is 17:00 Friday 12th May.
Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony which will take place on Thursday 6th July at the Landing Forty Two – the UK’s highest dedicated events space situated on the 42nd floor of ‘The Cheesegrater’, central London.
All finalists will win one-year IPSE Plus membership, as well as recognition at a national level, a range of high-profile exposure, along with other prizes.
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Business Support Events and Programmes
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A week of free business support events
Monday 24th – Friday 28th April
London Business Hub is hosting Entrepreneur Week, a programme of free in-person events, webinars and workshops designed to help local SMEs thrive in the face of today’s economic challenges and become more resilient.
Funding and collaboration for growth
Monday 24th April 16:30 – 19:30
Delivered by BIG South London and University of Roehampton St George’s University LSBU and Kingston University, this event will provide a practical case study to help you unlock the benefits of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) - a grant-subsidised way to bring graduates supported by academic expertise into your business.
Intellectual Property Masterclass
Tuesday 25th April 14:00 - 15:00
Do you have a novel idea? Are you aspiring to build your own successful start-up? Are you looking for advice on your strategic planning, protection, management and exploitation of your IP portfolio?
InnovationRCA are hosting a free in-person IP Masterclass with Mark Kramer and Darren Mitchell from Potter Clarkson.
Connect with trusted expert advice and free support
Ongoing
Wandsworth Council has partnered with the Mayor’s London Business Hub to bring the free Wayfinder service to businesses in Wandsworth.
The experienced Wayfinder team will help match businesses with unbiased expert support on a wide range of issues which include: marketing, business planning, accessing finance and more!
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Start Up support for Wandsworth's businesses
Ongoing
Delivered by GLL in partnership with Wandsworth Council and the British Library’s Business and IP Centre, Start Up Wandsworth will provide entrepreneurs with free support, advice and guidance, such as practical workshops, 1-1 advice sessions with a business manager, networking events, as well as the opportunity to use co-working and office space.
Help to Grow Management at Kingston Business School
Ongoing
The next intake of the 90% funded Help to Grow Management at Kingston starts Thursday 18th May. Specifically designed for SME leaders and decision makers and to fit around full time work responsibilities, the course is a mix of live online and face to face workshops looking at multiple aspects of a business. Expert speakers, mentoring, networking, peer support and ongoing alumni support.
Free programme to support creatives
Ongoing
Delivered by British Library and IP Centre, this Arts Council England funded programme is designed to help creative businesses that are looking to grow. Specialist advisers and external consultants are here to help you to continue building your business, find new opportunities and build resilience.
Are you ready to scale up your business?
Tuesday 23rd – Friday 25th May
Virgin StepUp is a 3-day online programme consisting of a series of workshops and networking opportunities to help founders develop the skills and knowledge they need in order to take their businesses to the next level. Hear from expert speakers and founders on branding, sales, funding and investment.
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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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Cost of doing business support
We have put together a page of support to help your business navigate the challenges of increased costs.
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