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Local factsheet - Lewisham

Grow London Local (DS)

Welcome to Grow London Local! ​

One place to access all areas of small business support. From Barnet to Waltham Forest, Grow London Local can support you with accessing the business finance you need, marketing to help boost your sales and upskilling your team or yourself if you are not sure where to start. ​

From there, we will introduce you to the right support network that suits your business to allow for the best chance of success.​


Eligibility:

All London-based start-ups and SMEs are eligible to access the services, regardless of whether they have a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) or Company Registration Number (CRN). 
For pre-start businesses without a UTR, they will not offer the same level of support as they do for SMEs with a UTR or CRN. However, they can still provide a consultation and develop a customised "Action Plan" for them. It is important to know that they won’t be able to refer them to partner services.
Eligibility criteria for pre-start businesses are as follows:
  • Must have a London-based home or trading address.
  • Must meet the conditions of Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) — i.e., not having received government support exceeding £315,000 in the past three years.
  • Must agree to our General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
For SMEs, the criteria are:
  • Must have a London-based home or trading address.
  • Must provide a UTR or CRN.
  • Must meet the conditions of MFA — i.e., not having received government support exceeding £315,000 in the past three years.
  • Must agree to our General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

 

Website: https://www.growlondonlocal.london/  
E-mail: hello@growlondonlocal.london

London Borough of Lewisham Council

For information on business rates, licensing, planning, trading standards, tenders and contracts, health & safety and commercial property advice, contact London Borough of Lewisham Council.

As well as signposting to other forms of business information and support, businesses can also access free marketing support. Start-up support is provided by Start-ups in London Libraries. 

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/business

Tel: 020 8314 6000 (Switchboard)

Tel: 020 8314 6150 (Business Rates)

E-mail: economyandpartnerships@lewisham.gov.uk

Business support e-mail: business@lewisham.gov.uk

Business support form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=4Q7UyJL6ukOh9lwu45U1YbK6l6puFJlGrI9q8xkYwuxUMjkyMU9VVDRXSkRDNzZTTk1BMlVBS0tHWCQlQCN0PWcu

BIPC Kickstart Your Business

A Two-day workshop programme providing advice on researching and protecting your business idea, and the "nuts and bolts" of starting a business.

This programme is based in London, and is ran from one of the local London libraries or online.

The workshops will cover the following:

- Day 1 - how to research and protect your business idea, using BIPC resources,
delivered by British Library staff

- Day 2 - ‘nuts and bolts’ of how to start a business, delivered by Hustle & Heels

Website: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/bipc-kickstart-your-business-2109129

Global London Programme

The programme will provide businesses with the skills and knowledge required to grow by bringing together a range of support, advice and training alongside the connections and opportunities needed to enter new markets, compete globally and grow your business. As part of the programme businesses will receive 1-2-1 support from a Business Adviser and have the opportunity to attend a series of export readiness workshops to help support your business with international growth.

Eligibility: This programme has two funding streams, as such the programme can support businesses within the following criteria. Businesses Registered in the UK, Trading in London looking to grow internationally
and meet either set of the below eligibility criteria.
- Be a new or reactive exporter
- Have a turnover between £50k and £500k
- Have less than 30 employees

or
- Have a minimum of three employees
- Be trading for more than 18 months
- Have turnover or investment minimum of £50k

Website: https://go.newable.co.uk/JPM-GlobalLondonProgramme

Grow London Early Stage

Grow London Early Stage Offers a range of business support programmes for early stage growth companies active in high-growth sectors.

Please note: that as spaces are limited, you can apply to only one programme.
Please check the website for eligibility.

Nwes

Nwes offers one-to-one business advice, a range of business and personal skills training courses, and serviced business premises, for those wishing to start or grow a business. Business support is available in Norfolk and Suffolk and will be tailored to individual needs but often includes business planning, legal structure, the effective and efficient operation of the business, marketing plans, support in preparing finance proposals, identifying cost savings, environmental planning, and key steps to starting-up. Nwes also provide Start Up Loans for London, Norfolk, and Suffolk

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://www.nwes.org.uk/

Tel: 01603 227840

E-mail: info@nwes.org.uk

Online contact form: https://www.nwes.org.uk/contact/

Lewisham Business Resilience & Growth Programme

Lewisham Business Resilience & Growth (BRAG) is a programme funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which offers eligible Lewisham businesses access to a range of business support activities designed to help your business overcome its challenges, grow and prosper.

Run by Goldsmiths, University of London, BRAG provides you with the expert advice and resources you need to help drive growth for your business.

Support available includes:

- Business Clinics
- Workshops
- Online Resources
- Mentoring
- Academic support

Eligibility: Available for trading businesses in Lewisham who operate wholly or mainly from premises in the borough or at a Lewisham market or street trading pitch.

Website: https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/business/business-support/business-support-programmes

Greenwich Action for Voluntary Service (GAVS)

Greenwich Action for Voluntary Service (GAVS) is a free membership organisation offering advice, accountancy support, training and networking if you are a not for profit voluntary, community or faith organisation in Greenwich.

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website: http://www.greenwich-cvs.org.uk/

Tel:020 8305 5000

Business & IP Centre (BIPC) - British Library

Do you have questions about market research and intellectual property?

The BIPC offers guides, highlights useful databases, publications and websites (all of which may be available from local libraries or via the British Library). The guides include resources for the following industries: Advertising; Alcoholic drinks; Books and Publishing; Childrenswear; Confectionery; Construction; Energy; Fashion; Fast Food and Snacks; Footwear; Frozen, chilled and ready-made foods; Furniture; Giftware; Global business; Green and Ethical business and Social Enterprise; Health and Fitness; Horticulture; Insurance; Jewellery; Music; Organic food; Over-the-counter and Complementary Medicine; Packaging; Recruitment and Training; Sports; Telecommunications; Toiletries and Cosmetics; Toys and Games; Travel and Tourism; and TV and Film.

Eligibility: Available to all stages of business, including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://www.bl.uk/bipc/

Tel: 020 7412 7901

E-mail: bipc@bl.uk

Online contact form: https://bl.libanswers.com/form.php?queue_id=2495

Small Business Research + Enterprise Centre

If you are looking for information and advice that could help your business, The Small Business Research + Enterprise Centre may be able to help.

They offer business information including specialist sector guides, community and not-for-profit resources, business start-up support, business workshops, digital courses and professional development, access to market research and statistical information on companies, countries, import and export.

Membership fees may apply, check the website for details.

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/supporting-businesses/economic-research/small-business-research-enterprise-centre

E-mail: sbrec@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Greenwich University Enterprise Team

Greenwich University Enterprise Team offers business development managers who can help businesses access a wealth of services, skilled workers, training, business support and funding information. Charges may apply for some services.

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://enterprise.gre.ac.uk/

Tel: 020 8331 7867

E-mail: enterprise@gre.ac.uk

Amplify Venture Programme

Amplify Venture is a free two-year programme for ambitious founders and business owners seeking to scale and expand their businesses.

Amplify Venture will provide a series of programmes and opportunities for businesses across different sectors to fuel their success and growth, providing access to tailored support, resources, knowledge and events.

Current activities and programmes include:

- Community programme - where scaling businesses can access content, events, networks, and post-programme support to successfully scale their ventures.

- Business Workshop series - A range of events offering short and sharp modules to support businesses.

- Futureproof Accelerator - Support for diverse businesses across the Fast moving consumer goods sector to help them grow, access investment opportunities and networks, and support them through navigating the commercial supply chain.

New programmes are being added on a regular basis.

Eligibility: Available for trading businesses in London who are scaling up their business. Each programme may have more particular criteria please check the website for further criteria.

Website: https://www.amplifyventure.org/

The Property Advice Service

The Property Advice Service aims to support "small to medium sized enterprises, micro businesses and solopreneurs" with unexpected challenges when leasing a commercial office, retail or workspace. Support can help with legal terminology and financial implications, or face prohibitive costs of the professional advice they need. The programme is delivered by London Business Partnership, Gerald Eve (international property consultants) and the University of Law and is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Eligibility: Available for trading businesses who are based in London with less 250 employees who have a current turnover of less than £44 million. 

Website: https://londonbp.co.uk/propertyadviceservice/

Email: info@londonbp.co.uk

Selby Community Enterprise Professional Support

The Selby Centre is a centre of excellence for collaborative charity and social businesses working together to create community wealth and support.

Support includes: Marketing, Social Media Optimisation, Web Site Development, AI tools, Employment Law, Restructuring, Product Development, Charity and Social Enterprise Structures, Governance, Raising Finance and Bid Writing.

Eligibility: All businesses including those not yet trading in London.

Website: https://www.selbytrust.co.uk/spf

Email: marta@selbytrust.co.uk

Register interest via website.

Greater London Authority (GLA)

Greater London Authority (GLA) provides online information on supporting businesses in London covering the economic strategy, partner opportunities and much more.  They also fund a range of London-based initiatives. 

For those in London with an idea to support patients or their local community, there is support to get started. London’s social enterprise initiative is open anyone in London with an idea that supports patients, carers, communities or healthcare workers.  

Eligibility:
Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://www.london.gov.uk/WHAT-WE-DO/BUSINESS-AND-ECONOMY

The Cyber Resilience Centre for London

A police-led, not-for-profit organisation helping small to medium sized businesses and third sector organisations strengthen their resilience against cyber-attacks. Offering:

- Free membership to access the Getting the Basics Right programme to help you implement security best practices for your business that will prevent the majority of cybercrime.

- Step-by-step guides and tools from ourselves, our partners, the police and government on how to action each topic addressed in the programme.

- Affordable services to understand the vulnerability of your organisation towards cyber-attacks. Charges do apply.

- Free training and awareness opportunities to prevent accidental or intentional loss or damage to your business. 

Eligibility: Available to all stages of business. Small to medium sized businesses and third sector organisations in London looking for guidance on how to protect themselves from cybercrime/cyber-attacks and fraud. 

Website: https://www.londoncrc.co.uk/  

Tel: 07585 556159

Email: info@londoncrc.co.uk 

Online contact form: https://www.londoncrc.co.uk/about/contact-us

Minority Business Matters

Minority Business Matters offers free business support for ethnic minority businesses (EMBs) in London. With one-to-one support, learning programmes, networking and pitching opportunities, they can help businesses become supplier ready, access contacts and win contracts. Businesses may benefit from:

  • one-to-one business support, information and advice from your adviser
  • matching and connecting with leading brands and the public sector
  • pitching opportunities
  • business and networking events
  • peer-to-peer support
  • workshops and knowledge sessions
  • bite-sized learning programmes
  • sustainability and social value support
  • inclusion in our creative and cultural industries directory, if applicable

Eligibility: Start up and SME businesses running in London, at least 51% owned, managed and controlled by people from ethnic minority backgrounds. They especially encourage anyone who considers they have a disability or who identifies as LGBTQ+ to access this support.

Website: https://minoritybusinessmatters.com/our-offer

Closing Date: The programme runs until March 2025.

Apply Online: https://minoritybusinessmatters.com/apply/

 

Tech.London

If you are looking for resources you can access online, check out Tech.London. It includes information you can use to network and access opportunities in the tech sector and has dedicated sections for newly started businesses, events, jobs, investors, courses, workspaces and incubators.

The resources area includes how-to guides, a community section, mentorship and training, funding tips and opportunities and guidance on doing business internationally.

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading within the technology sector.

Website: https://tech.london/

E-Business Support Programme – Greenwich, Bexley, Bromley and Lewisham

The E-Business Support Programme – Greenwich, Bexley, Bromley and Lewisham, can offer help with your digital marketing strategy, website improvements, content management, search engine optimisation, social media and building online communities, cybersecurity and marketing on the web to help your business grow and improve productivity and resilience.

Eligibility: Available for businesses that have begun trading.

Website: http://www.seenterprise.co.uk/ebusiness

E-mail: e-business@seenterprise.co.uk

Online contact form: http://www.seenterprise.co.uk/see/register/e-business

Innovate UK Business Growth

Innovate UK Business Growth (was Innovate UK EDGE) is a key part of the UK innovation agency’s investment in the innovative businesses that drive economic growth. It provides intensive, specialist-led support to ambitious innovation-led businesses to help them grow and scale.

Each high-potential, innovative business is supported by a dedicated innovation & growth specialist local to them. The specialist will consider a business in the round and, working closely with its leadership, identify the most productive ways to accelerate its growth. This could be by working on the core business plan and value proposition or through exploiting innovation, accessing funding and finance, and/or expanding into new markets.

In particular, the specialists can help companies to develop an innovation-driven business plan; understand how to protect and create value from their intellectual property; develop a strategy to fund and finance their innovation, growth and be investment ready; connect to new partners for commercial, technology and R&D collaborations; and discover opportunities in overseas markets learning how to capitalise on them.

Innovate UK Business Growth  also offer the Scaleup Programme for enhanced support, the Global Incubator Programme and the Global Business Innovation Programme.

Eligibility: Available for businesses that have begun trading (innovative businesses, looking to grow and scale their business in the UK market and internationally) with up to 500 employees (250 in Northern Ireland). It is not suitable for pre-starts, or for those businesses who have no ambition to grow through innovation or internationalisation.

Website: https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/business-growth/

Online Contact Form: https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/business-growth-contact/ 

Tel: 0300 123 3066  (National Gateway)

ReLondon Business Transformation

ReLondon Business Transformation provides free advice to small businesses in London to transform the way they do business, creating sustainable value and growth through circular economy strategies and innovations. Their support helps businesses develop, pilot and launch well-designed and innovative circular initiatives which reduce waste, cut costs and generate new revenue opportunities.

Eligibility: Available to start-up and established SMEs.

Website: www.relondon.gov.uk/business

Tel: 020 3963 0675

E-mail: business@relondon.gov.uk

Online contact form: https://relondon.gov.uk/business/contact-us/ 

Better Futures Programme - London

The Better Futures Programme offers a tailored package of innovation support to businesses in the Low Carbon and Environmental goods services sector.

The programme offers business and commercialisation support, and Innovation Vouchers for academic support, and product development support and innovation challenges bringing together established businesses with startup innovators to solve real Net Zero problems.

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/environment-and-climate-change/better-futures-programme/better-futures-uk-shared-prosperity-fund

Empower 100 – Virgin Start Up

Empower100 is a new programme of support from Virgin StartUp designed to level the playing field for founders growing the businesses they're passionate about.

This programme has been designed to help Black, Asian and minority ethnic founders, women founders and founders with a disability, based in Greater London, unlock the potential for growth and investment in their startups.

Delivered online and in-person over 8 weeks, Empower100 is a free accelerator for founders on the move, who're ready to take on the next stage of growth, raise investment and boost their skillsets.

Eligibility: Specifically for women founders, Black, Asian and minority ethnic founders; and founders with a disability. To apply, you must meet the following criteria: Have a UK business based in Greater London, been trading for a minimum of 18 months, have at least 2 employees, have a minimum turnover of £50k per annum, be raising investment for the first time and have a strong underlying business proposition.

Website: https://www.virginstartup.org/empower-100/

Email: scaleup@virginstartup.org

Lewisham Construction Hub

Lewisham Construction Hub is a free service for Lewisham-based businesses to access contract opportunities in the construction sector. It provides face-to-face advice to help you develop capacity in your business and become ready for contract delivery.

You can sign up to receive notice of new tenders that suit your business strengths and attend a tailored programme of workshops and events. The project is run in partnership with Lewisham Council and Build London.

Eligibility: Available for businesses who have begun trading.

Website: https://www.lewishamconstructionhub.co.uk/

Tel: 020 8314 7748

E-mail: For general enquiries admin@lewishamconstructionhub.co.uk

E-mail: For consultancy support business@lewishamconstructionhub.co.uk and quote 'construction hub' as a reference.

Inclusive Supply Chain Programme

Are you a London based SME wanting to bid for large contracts but need support to get you there?

This programme aims to help small businesses across London to access large supply chains.  They offer local under-represented businesses support to become 'supply chain ready', through developing internal capabilities to meet the procurement criteria that tend to be required when applying for contracts with larger companies. 

In addition to receiving 1-2-1 support and in depth training workshops, participants can access events to connected with the programme's network of local, regional and national buyers, pitch their business and learn about potential new opportunities.  

Support is fully funded and delivered by Newable, in partnership with London South Bank University.  Further information and details of how to apply are on the website. 

Eligibility: Available to trading SME businesses registered in the UK, with projected turnover above £50,000 for next year. 

Target sectors: Accommodation, Arts, entertainment and recreation, Business services, Construction, Consumer, Creative, Education and technology, Food services and catering, Health, Transportation and storage.

Website: https://go.newable.co.uk/inclusivesupplychain

BPP Enterprise Clinic

Free legal advice service to small businesses or individuals looking to start a business in England. The Clinic can assist with legal advice on: setting up a business, help protecting your intellectual property, a dispute with a supplier, customer completing forms for incorporating a company, advising on contractual issues, disputes with customers, co-founders or suppliers, business partners, a legal query about your business tenancy, checking the Companies House register and providing other practical support and advice.

To submit your query online: http://probono.bppuniversity.ac.uk/blog/projects/business-legal-advice/

If unable to submit your query online please email: legalhelp@my.bpp.com and cc in enterprise@my.bpp.com

Website: http://probono.bppuniversity.ac.uk/blog/projects/business-legal-advice/

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Additional Information: Individual cases must be suitable for the Clinic and this is assessed on a case-by-case basis after submitting the enquiry or an initial phone interview. Queries submitted online will likely be proceed more quickly than voicemails. Law students will conduct a video meeting with the individual or business to gather further information on the query. They follow up each interview with a detailed letter of advice supervised by a qualified lawyer.

Lawyers For Your Business (LFYB)

Do you need legal advice? Lawyers for your business is a scheme offering a free half-hour consultation with a member of the Law Society.

The lawyer will not be able to deal with existing legal issues but can help with general legal enquiries about starting a business, employing people, contracts with customers and suppliers, taking on leased premises, business structures, health and safety and raising finance. When contacting a solicitor for a 30-minute free consultation you must advise you are calling regarding the Lawyers for your business scheme and use the named contact on the sheet sent to you from the service.

Eligibility: Available for businesses trading up to 12 months including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk/

Tel: 020 7320 5650 - If you need help with using the find a solicitor section, Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm

E-mail: lfyb@lawsociety.org.uk - please include postcode or town/city in the e-mail.

For solicitors interested in joining the LFYB scheme
https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/career-advice/individual-accreditations/lawyers-for-your-business


Samuel Wilson Loan Trust

The Samuel Wilson Loan Trust offers Loans of up to £50,000 to people over 18 and under 40 years old for establishing and developing new businesses, and who are "in need by reason of ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage."

Loan amounts are dependent on the type of business: Loans of up to £50,000 are available for limited companies. Sole traders can apply for loans of between £25,000-£50,000.

Eligibility: Available for businesses who have been trading for less than 3 years, or a just about to start up a business. Please note that the Trust does not loan to any business whose primary trade is the manufacture or sale of alcohol. The process to access a loan can take between 2-4 months.

Website: Samuel Wilson's Loan Trust - City of London

E-mail: SWLT.Enquiries@cityoflondon.gov.uk (contact via e-mail only)

Procurement, tenders and winning contracts in Lewisham

Lewisham Council
Provide advice and support for those who wish to do business with the council.
https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/business/tendersandcontracts
E-mail: procurement@lewisham.gov.uk

Local Labour and Business Scheme
Support from the council for local businesses to get onto the approved tender lists of larger firms and help to write tenders. The scheme is designed to assist with accessing opportunities over the next few years during large scale redevelopment and construction in the area.
https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/business/tendersandcontracts/tendering-for-contracts-with-our-partners 
Tel: 020 8314 7748
E-mail: LLBS@lewisham.gov.uk 

London Tenders Portal
Provides details of the latest tenders that are available throughout London. Registration is free of charge. Contacts are listed on the site for various areas - see site for more details.
https://www.londontenders.org/?openForm

Lewisham Construction Hub
Contract opportunities in the construction sector.
http://www.lewishamconstructionhub.co.uk/

Events and networking groups in Lewisham

Grow London Local Events
Portal where clients can search for relevant events by cost, topic, business stage, type of event, location, industry sector, organiser, day, and time. Additional content being added daily.
https://www.growlondonlocal.london/events?size=n_20_n&sort-field=date_time&sort-direction=desc 

London Chamber of Commerce
Networking, briefings and webinars for businesses in London.
http://www.londonchamber.co.uk/lcc_public/default.asp?id=13

South East London Chamber of Commerce
Business events in South East London.
http://www.selondonchamber.org/

Federation of Small Business (FSB)
Events calendar for businesses in the UK.
https://www.fsb.org.uk/event-calendar.html

Small Business Research + Enterprise Centre
A range of seminars to help support individuals starting a business and help current businesses expand. Some of the topics covered include online marketing, social media as well as offering the opportunity to network.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/small-business-research-enterprise-centre-2936108893

Business & IP Centre - British Library
Offer a variety of free and subsided events/workshops including beginner's guides to business information, trademarks, intellectual property, patents searching etc.
https://www.bl.uk/bipc/ 

Premises in Lewisham

Lewisham Council
Have information to help you search for commercial properties in the area.  There is also a Creative Enterprize Zone for businesses looking for affordable workspace.
https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/business/commercial-property

London Open Workspaces
Online guide to workspace availability in London with interactive map detailing office, artist and makers space.
https://maps.london.gov.uk/workspaces/

Blue Garage
A social enterprise in Lewisham, offering affordable, high-quality workspaces and fully equipped workshops designed for small businesses, makers, and creatives.
https://www.bluegarage.org/