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Welcome to our Business Update! In Issue 90, we focus on Living Wage Week, share highlights from recent business events such as "Access to Finance for Businesses" and "Setting Up an Online Business," and provide details on an important upcoming call with Mayor Fiaz, discussing how businesses can contribute to shaping the Council’s future budget decisions. |
| | | Championing Fair Pay: Living Wage Event 2024
Living Wage Week 2024 will be held from 4–10 November, focusing on campaigning for a living wage for all. To mark Living Wage Week, Our Newham is excited to announce that we will be hosting an engaging and informative Living Wage Event 2024 on Wednesday 6 November. Our event is dedicated to raising awareness and celebrating the impactful work of the Living Wage Foundation.
Paying the Living Wage has far-reaching benefits. For employers, it enhances their brand, boosts staff productivity, improves competitiveness, and supports better employee retention. For employees, it means increased motivation, a higher standard of living, and improved overall wellbeing.
Join us to celebrate the power of fair pay, listen to Mayor Fiaz talking about our commitment to tackling economic insecurities in the borough and network with like-minded businesses and share inspiring stories.
We encourage you to invite along any Newham businesses that you’d want to recommend to the Living Wage movement. Invite them, whether they pay the London Living Wage or are interested in finding out more!
To register: |
| | | To celebrate Living Wage Week 2024, we will share interview based articles related to the campaign. Enabled Living, a health and social care provider in Newham, is among the first companies we would like to spotlight. After receiving accreditation as a Living Wage Employer in 2018, the care provider is now the first in Newham to get accreditation as a Living Hours Employer. This initiative addresses insecure working hours and tackles in-work poverty head-on. |
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| | | | Join Us to Help Shape Newham Council’s Future Budget!
Monday 11 November – 6:30-8:30pm Online: MS Teams
We invite you to attend an online session focussed on the business sector in Newham with Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE. This discussion will focus on the Council’s budget, the work beginning to bridge the budget gap for 2025/26 and how your sector can get involved.
With local governments facing severe financial challenges due to reductions in funding, rising costs, and increased demand, London boroughs like Newham are under significant pressure, particularly in addressing the capital’s housing crisis. As we plan for the next financial year, we need to carefully consider how we allocate our resources.
Why your input is crucial: you will have the chance to have your say in this process, share your feedback and work with us to shape the Council’s spending priorities. Your insights are vital in helping us to understand the impact of any proposed changes and where we can adopt new approaches to meet the unique needs of Newham’s business sector.
The Council wants your views on: • Areas where we are proposing we save money, divert spending or increase income • The impact of any proposed changes and how they can be mitigated • How we can do things differently to deliver services more efficiently
Your feedback is essential to ensuring that we continue to provide what matters most to the people of Newham.
Join us in this important conversation to help guide the Council’s future budget decisions.
Ticket sign-up will close on Monday 11 November at 5pm.
For more information and to register: |
| | Can’t attend? You can also share your views on how we should spend our budget and protect vital services, by filling out our online survey: |
| | | Expert Support to Help Launch Online Businesses
Our recent "Set Up an Online Business" workshop, which sold out, offered attendees the essential steps for launching and growing an online business.
We were joined by industry expert Colville Wood, the Chief Technology Officer at Cognizant Insurance, who brought the topic to life as he shared his experiences of launching online businesses and the highs and lows that come with it. Colville now attributes his success to six key elements which make up the success criteria for launching an online business. Following this framework helped the attendees breakdown the process by focusing on what matters - engaging with customers and driving sales.
We are grateful to our colleagues at UCL East for their kind help in making this event possible by sponsoring the space, for many of our entrepreneurs, this was their first visit to the venue and provided an opportunity to learn about the entrepreneurial support available.
For more information on the wider business support available, please get in contact with us: |
| | | | Calling All Local Food Producers, Providers and Wholesalers!
Aligned with Newham's sustainability and community wealth building initiatives, the Council is compiling a list of local food businesses to be shared among local enterprises and Council wide.
The goal is to help make sourcing local food easier and to promote the great food that is produced and sold in Newham.
Whether you're making chutneys, pastries or roasting coffee, please consider signing up!
For more information and to register your business: |
| | | Unparalleled Support. Preferential Price. Sign Up Today.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), stands out for the support it provides its members with, including: - Legal Protection: 24/7 legal advice, tax guidance, and online support for small businesses.
- Insurance Service: Business insurance brokering service with discounts, tailored support, and dedicated insurance advice line.
- Legal and Business Hub: Online legal documents for businesses, with over 1,500 templates checked by real lawyers, fully compliant, and user-friendly.
- Employment Protection: 24/7 employment advice, consultation with employment solicitors, and downloadable templates.
- Tax Investigation Protection: Comprehensive tax advice and protection for business-related HMRC enquiries.
For more information:
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| | The Mary Ward Centre – Stratford Affordable Space Hire
The Mary Ward Centre, which is conveniently located in Stratford, has a number of affordable spaces for hire, from modern conference rooms, training rooms, art and craft rooms, and event spaces that can be customised for a variety of uses.
Registered charities are eligible for a 50% booking discount, while SMEs making reservations through Our Newham Business & Enterprise are eligible for a 20% discount.
For more information and to book: |
| | | The 2024 Newham Civic Awards in association with Berkeley, will recognise, celebrate and reward exceptional individuals, entrepreneurs, groups, organisations and companies who contribute to making our borough unique. Whether its supporting young people to get ahead or maintaining a community garden that has improved the area, tell us about those who deserve to receive a Civic Award for going truly above and beyond. There are 10 Newham Civic Awards available this year.
For more information: |
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| Highlights from Our 'Access to Finance for Businesses' Event
Many SMEs continue to face challenges in securing funding due to rising operational costs. A British Business Bank report examined how ethnicity, gender, location and education impact entrepreneurial opportunities. It found that 39% of Black and 49% of Asian business owners abandon their business ideas due to difficulties in securing funding. Our ‘Access to Finance for Businesses’ event, in celebration of Business Finance Week 2024, provided SMEs with innovative funding options with our partners at Barclays as well as alternative lenders allowing businesses to make well-informed decisions when it comes to their business finances.
We are grateful to Caloroso Bakery and Unit Six Café for providing refreshments for the event. Their outstanding offerings showcased the finest in community wealth building. The event would not have been possible without the kind assistance of our partners: Barclays, Eagle Labs, Property Advice Service, University of East London, BetterPoints, and the Newham Chamber of Commerce (NCC).
To find out more about how the event went: |
| | | | What Does Autism Look Like? Actually, it could look like you or me!
Having autism affects the way in which a person may interact with others, communicate, learn and behave. Bright lights, loud noises, smells or other sensory experiences may create anxiety or stress.
Do you know if you have autistic staff in your team? Actually, you don’t need to ask, actions speak louder than words!
Develop a culture where staff feel comfortable in coming forward with this information and with requesting reasonable adjustments. Start with reading and sharing this link with staff and implement some of the good ideas contained within it. |
| If your organisation is neuro-inclusive we would like to hear from you. Sharing good practice and making positive changes in Newham. |
| | | | Corporate Days
Newham's Volunteers Team often receives requests from corporate organisations wishing to engage in local volunteering. To better facilitate these partnerships, we seek to understand the opportunities your organisation offers and the roles available for corporate volunteers.
This survey will help us capture essential information, ensuring clarity and transparency regarding commitments, needs, resources, and financial considerations.
By completing this survey, it will not guarantee any financial contribution via corporate volunteering, but it will enable us to explore available opportunities beyond the financial means, the commitment of corporate volunteers and their hours of service. |
| | | Don’t Be to Blame, Don’t Start the Flame – Dispose of Dangerous Waste Safely
Remember dangerous items including vapes, electrical items, batteries, gas canisters, and bottles should never be disposed of in household or commercial waste bins.
Recent shocking footage which shows the moment an empty gas bottle exploded in a Newham Council waste collection vehicle, has highlighted the serious risks associated with careless disposal. We are grateful that the staff member involved in the explosion is now recovering, but this incident could have been much worse.
To learn how to dispose of dangerous items: |
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| | | | Celebrating Newham's Thriving Businesses
The Newham Business Awards celebrates our thriving SMEs along with the exceptional organisations making a positive impact here in Newham. Similar to the last couple of years, the overall winner will be awarded the John James Business of the Year Award and £1,000 cash prize.
To enter, businesses are encouraged to apply for any of the 12 award categories applicable to their company.
For more information: |
| | | Business Rates Are Changing – Find Out How!
Wednesday 6 November – 3-4:30pm Online: Zoom
Big overhaul to business rates are coming, and this is your chance to get ahead! Join London Business Partnership, just days after the government announces its new business rates plans in the Autumn Budget.
Find out how the new announcements will affect high street SMEs and online businesses, as well as how rates are determined and how to contest your valuation if necessary. Check out what the changes may imply for your business.
For more information: |
| | | Hospitality & Food Businesses – Have Your Say!
ReLondon are offering individuals representing food and hospitality businesses the chance to win some great prizes in return for completing their survey about "green" actions and sustainability pledges.
Take their 10-minute survey to share your opinion, enable more support opportunities for businesses like yours and have a chance to win vouchers for some brilliant local, sustainable brands. |
| | | Coffee Friday – Sangeetha Veg Restaurant, East Ham
Friday 8 November – 10-11:30am In-person
An opportunity to engage with individuals who have similar entrepreneurial aspirations hosted by the Grow London Local team. They can assist you in determining the needs of your business and point you in the direction of free resources. |
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| | Invest in Your Team's Wellbeing Today
The Council and Newham Health Collaborative are offering Free Workplace Health Checks to improve the health and wellbeing of your team. These screenings aim to reduce cardiovascular disease risk and delay its onset. The checks, lasting 10-15 minutes, are available until March 2025, supporting healthy employees, reducing sick days, and fostering a sense of value.
To learn more about how you can invest in your team's wellbeing, please click below for more information: |
| | | Black in Business 2024
Channel 4 in partnership with Lloyds Bank is partnering with Black In Business 2024 to support and grow four Black Owned Businesses. The initiative offers £150,000 in TV advertising, a TV advert, and 6-month marketing and mentorship. Applications close Monday 28 October.
For more information: |
| | | | Unlock Your Potential With Eagle Labs Academy
Eagle Labs Academy connects the UK’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through a network of business incubators, growth programmes, access to experts, and business support. Newham Council, in partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs, is providing you with access to several programmes to support your business growth.
To find out more, get in touch: |
| | | | Compete for a £3k Grant
Following the success of Realising the Remarkable in 2023, Enterprise Nation and VistaPrint have once again partnered to offer £60,000 cash grants to 20 small businesses. The support includes: - Grants of £3,000 each
- 12-month subscription to VistaCreate Pro
- £500 in website credits
- access to 99designs by Vista silver logo.
Application closes on Thursday 31 October.
For more information and to apply:
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| | | Mission to Market 30 October – 3:30pm-5pm Plexal
This dynamic 1.5-hour workshop is tailored specifically for mission-driven businesses based in London and will help you craft a compelling value proposition that speaks to both customers and investors. The workshop will be based on the Venture Creator programme, from the Future Industries Demonstrator (FID) Challenges.
For more information: |
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| | Autism in the Workplace Wednesday 13 November – 10am-12pm Online
The webinar will feature three expert speakers discussing how to adapt to colleagues' needs, identify barriers, and create an inclusive team. The discussion will also explore communication styles, adaptability of work environments, support, supervision, and how to support autistic colleagues. The webinar is open to all team leaders, managers, directors, and colleagues committed to creating an inclusive workplace.
For more information: |
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| | Our mailing address is: London Borough of Newham, Newham Dockside, 1000 Dockside Road, London, E16 2QU. |
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