A diverse range of businesses have been announced as speakers for the Local Business Recovery Summit on Wednesday 2 December at 8.30am.

They will share their experiences of operating through Covid-19, as we work to determine the support needed so they can recover quickly and succeed into the future.

Speakers include:

Abi Khan, Grace and Albert: star of our Choose Local campaign and a much-loved high street gift shop in Highams Park.

Claire Ashbridge-Tomlinson, East London Brewing: based in Leyton and one of a growing number of brewers, a key industry in our hugely important manufacturing sector.

Rachael Castell, Our Pledge: based in Leytonstone, a crowd pledging platform that supports business owners looking for solutions to help them retain or engage customers and increase sales.

James Harrison, Yonder: a climbing centre in Blackhorse Road with workspace, yoga and exercise studios. 

David Cowell, Promo 2U: a branded merchandise supplier and printing expert based in North Chingford.

Ella McKay, Soapsmith: a manufacturer of luxury soaps, bath and body products in Walthamstow.

Please find full details of the summit and a link to register below. Once you have registered, you will be sent a link to the meeting the day before the event.

We have also been allocated a business recovery package to ensure the survival and restart of local businesses. Please follow the link below to fill out our survey, which will help us determine how this will best be used.

We look forward to welcoming you to this hugely important summit and planning for a successful future together.

Sign up for the Local Business Recovery Summit

Take the business recovery survey 

Local Restriction Support Grants of up to £3,000 are now open for applications.

There are three grants available to certain businesses that:

• are required to close during the period of national restrictions (5 Nov to 2 Dec);
• did not have to close but were severely affected by the local tier 2 restrictions (17 Oct to 4 Nov);
• were required to close from 23 March and have been told to remain closed, e.g. nightclubs, (in-line with Government guidance, these payments will cover only the period 1 Nov to 4 Nov).

These grants will be based on the rateable value of the business’s premises. Currently there are no grants available for businesses not liable for business rates – any new grants will be announced in the newsletter.

Full details of these grants can be found at this link

The London Business Hub is hosting a free online event on 9 December between 10 and 11am, explaining what businesses can do now to prepare for the end of the EU transition on 31 December 2020.  

New trading rules will be in effect from January 2021 and the event is designed to guide businesses across four key main areas:

1. Employing EU nationals in the UK, or employing UK nationals in your European office – learn how to support your staff and encourage them to take action.
2. Trading with EU companies, the UK Global Tariff, imports and exports – learn how to identify which of these changes are most relevant for your business and/or your supply.
3. Intellectual Property (IP) and EU Data – discover how to secure your IP and how your business practices may need to change.
4. Travelling to and from the EU – explore the key steps you need to take and how you can support your staff or business partners.

Register for the London Business Hub event

As part of our month-long Digital Month programme, our final session will take place tomorrow.

How digital marketing is the key to business success

Wednesday 25 November 12:00 – 13:00 

Register for the Digital Month event

The Waltham Forest Connected Business Directory is dedicated to promoting local businesses offering services to residents during lockdown.

If you are offering a click-and-collect or delivery service, tell us about it on social media. Use the hashtag #ChooseLocalWF and tag us on Twitter @wfcouncil and we will support by ReTweeting and sharing your goods and services through our channels.

We have set up a dedicated page for businesses still operating during Covid-19.

Remember: Choose Local. Support Everyone.

Add your business to the WF Connected directory 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced a further £1.4m contribution to the £4m London Community Response to help community and voluntary organisations who have been badly affected by the impact of Covid-19.

Arts and Culture community organisations are encouraged to apply for grants of up to £10,000.

Applications will be assessed on a first-come-first-served basis, with a final deadline on Thursday 3 December 2020.

Find out if you're eligible and apply

Join us for the first Fashion District Connect series where businesses, designers and SMEs can meet, learn, and grow their network. Each event will focus on a different theme, and the first will take place on Friday 4 December to explore “the art of selling”.

During the event we will hear from Angela Quaintrell, founder of AQ Market; Becky Okell and Huw Thomas, founders of Paynter Jackets and Sinead Koelher, founder of Crafty Fox Market.

They will provide their top tips for selling to retailers both direct-to-consumer and online. The panel discussion will be followed by speed networking.

Visit Eventbrite for more info and to sign-up

Following the Fashion District Connect event, please join us for the Waltham Forest Fashion Digital Market for some sustainable, local shopping.

The market runs from 4-6 December. It's free and open to all.

Sign up for the event

Highams Park Business Group invites local businesses to join their first online speed dating event to network and generate leads.

It takes place on 25 November between 7 and 8.30pm.

Register for the networking event