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In this edition of Open4Business, get involved in Small Business Saturday, win a £5000 sustainability grant, sign up for FREE business support, exciting events and much more!
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Get involved this Small Business Saturday
6 December
Small Business Saturday is an annual campaign that celebrates the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses, with this year’s theme being 'The Nation’s Favourite Businesses'.
It is free to get involved in Small Business Saturday and the initiative is a great opportunity to promote your business and encourage new and returning customers to support you.
Wandsworth Council’s annual Shop Local campaign will encourage the public to shop and support local businesses throughout the festive season – and beyond.
Businesses can get involved by:
- Promoting your business using the hashtag #SmallBizSatUK
- Offering a festive drink or snacks to shoppers
- Creating a discount or competition to encourage customers to visit you (Share this with us via social media so we can repost and share)
Download the Small Business Saturday Marketing pack here for ideas, social media assets and campaign materials.
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FREE support for your business
The Ignite Business Programme assists entrepreneurs, start-ups, and high-growth businesses in Wandsworth to achieve their ambitions.
This free, council-backed programme which runs until March 2026 provides access to expert mentors, hands-on training, and real-world strategies to help you grow faster, smarter, and stronger.
Don't miss out on their next online workshop:
Sell Smarter With AI: Create Content That Connects and Converts
26 Nov, 10am - 11am - Sign up by clicking here.
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World Heart Beat: Bring Joy to a Child this Christmas
World Heart Beat Music Academy is asking local businesses to sponsor its Bring Joy to a Child this Christmas campaign.
They are inviting supporters to choose donations starting from £25, which provides food/much-needed sustenance to young musicians, to £1,200 which provides free music tuition to a child for one year.
World Heart Beat believes that every child should have the chance to discover the joy and transformative power of music. But for many families, lessons are out of reach. With more than half of its young people relying on free tuition to learn, music is needed to help build confidence, joy and hope for the future.
Every gift, no matter how large or small, makes a difference, and every sponsorship will be publicly acknowledged. This is a great opportunity to show commitment to the local community, enabling disadvantaged children and families to enjoy music for free.
World Heart Beat’s concert hall and music education centre in Nine Elms offers a second home to children and young people, whilst serving as a cultural hub for London’s newest neighbourhood.
See it for yourselves and join the Christmas cheer with carols and festive classics at World Heart Beat’s Christmas Community Concert on Tuesday 9 December.
Please contact Sal Sherratt at sal@worldheartbeat.org for further information.
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#NewBizOnTheBlock
 Pictured: Erin Rose
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Erin Rose Illustration is a new retail outlet located on Webb's Road in Battersea. The business was launched in October by local illustrator Erin Rose, who has curated a selection of handmade and independently produced items such as; stationery, candles, books, baby/children’s gifts, ceramics, homewares, jewellery and bespoke commissioned artwork by local artists and makers.
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Green light for council investment boosts Wandsworth Town station access upgrade
Wandsworth Town station is now set for a much-needed upgrade with an accessible second entrance, more ticket turnstiles and lifts to platforms, thanks to a package of council investment.
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Renewal for Falcon Road rail bridge
Works are well underway to improve Falcon Road bridge in Clapham Junction for everyone who uses it. The council is making improvements including artwork panels, painting and cleaning and pigeon-proofing. Find out more from the project manager by clicking here.
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Wandsworth Civic Award 2025 winners announced
Wandsworth's unsung heroes have been celebrated and recognised at this years Civic Awards. The ceremony honoured winners across 11 categories showcasing their outstanding contributions to the local community. Winners included Sahana Gero founder of World Heart Beat Academy who was named Cultural Champion.
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 Pictured: Sahana Gero
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Balham businesses wanted!
The council has set up the Balham Forum to find out what Balham means to local residents and businesses, what they are proud of and what could be improved.
You are invited to the Balham Brunch on November 22 to share your views and enjoy a bite to eat. If you can't make it you can take the online survey or drop a pin on the interactive map with your thoughts and ideas.
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Wandsworth Council partners with local businesses to launch Safe Havens
Wandsworth Council has worked with the Safer Business Network to establish the Safe Haven scheme where local businesses involved provide a temporary place of safety for anyone that needs it. Part of its ongoing commitment to tackle violence against women and girls and keep the borough one of London’s safest.
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Win a £5000 sustainability grant
Small Business Britain, in partnership with BT, is proud to launch the Green Growth Awards and Green Growth 100, a celebration of 100 inspiring UK small businesses that are successfully using sustainability to drive business growth.
Applications are now open!
Submit your entry by 9 January 2026.
Successful businesses will be invited to an awards event in March 2026, hosted by BT, where two standout firms will each receive a Green Growth Award - a £5,000 grant to help them scale their sustainability goals.
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Climate Action Microgrants open
Wandsworth based community groups, charities and individuals with projects focused on climate change and sustainability can apply for up to £500 through Wandsworth's Climate Action Microgrants.
Deadline: 28 Nov 2025
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Re:Create Lunch and Learn
25 November, 9.30am - 12pm, The Exchange, Twickenham, TW1 1BE.
- Connect with like-minded local creatives over breakfast refreshments
- Learn top tips on navigating Imposter Syndrome from Re:Create business mentor James West
- Find out about the Re:Create E-learning toolkit, tailor-made for artists and creatives business owners
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 Cost: Free
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 Cost: Free
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Welcome to Wandsworth Creatives Sessions
Are you a Wandsworth based creative or working at a cultural organisation in the borough that is keen on finding out more about raising funds or how to market yourself?
Then register for the following online training sessions:
Introduction to Fundraising - 25 Nov 25 November, 5pm – 6.30pm
Introduction to Marketing - 2 December, 5pm – 6.30pm
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Time to Speak: The Business Case for Clean Air
25 November, 10am, online.
Join Global Action Plan (GAP) for this online panel event on the role businesses can play in tackling air pollution. GAP will be sharing highlights on the latest benefits clean air can bring to businesses, insights and examples of how businesses are tackling air pollution and explore new research on the role of business in advocating for clean air in the current policy environment.
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 Cost: Free
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 Cost: Free
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Small Business Saturday Webinar Series
Sessions run from November to 3 December, but hurry — book before the deadline of 24 October to secure your spot!
This year's webinars are designed to help your business thrive. Covering essential topics like marketing on a budget, time management, finance, and new digital tools such as AI, you'll get practical tips and insights from industry experts.
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Business Support Services |
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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.
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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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.
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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