East London News A Force for the community…
WE KNOW that Tower Hamlets Council delivers quality services to residents – sometimes, but not always, targeted at those struggling with the ever-increasing cost of living.
Did you know that the Council also delivers quality support to people who are running, or want to run, small businesses? That’s the message that came out of a recent celebration of the Tower Hamlets Business Support Programme which brought business owners into the Town Hall to meet Council staff and Cllr Shenaly Miah, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Enterprise, Skills and Growth. They had a practical workshop and plenty of networking opportunities.
Also on offer was a pitching competition, run by Allia and with a £5,000 prize for the winner. Apparently Allia “partners” with Tower Hamlets Council “Support for Startups” programme, which helps… Startups. It is not clear whether Allia brings money into the partnership or if the Council pays it to do the work.
Council support is offered to those who are dreaming up a new idea and are wondering how to turn it into a business to more established business owners who are now trying to grow their business. The programmes have different names, but they come together as the Tower Hamlets Business Support Programme. Let’s here from just one entrepreneur who has been supported by the Council.
Renate, Founder of the Breastfeeding Boat, which offers drop-in support to breastfeeding mothers, said, “I have received financial support from Tower Hamlets. I was able to hire a website designer who made a beautiful website for me, I also created and printed flyers and leaflets. I was invited to attend several workshops with other new businesses. It just helped me feel more confident by having encouragement from the council. I love having a business here in Tower Hamlets because Tower Hamlets is so diverse.”
Two hundred and fifty-two residents have received support from the Business Support Programme in the last eight months, which does seem a little low, given the number of small businesses in the borough. Fifty-two new businesses have been created with support from the programme, which is probably larger than one might expect.
A total of £125,000 in grants has been paid out to new and expanding businesses, which does seem a very generous sum indeed to businesses which, without it, could have been left looking for bank loans. Let’s hope the businesses which received the grants are viable ones which will be able to trade for years to come.
Lets give the last word to Cllr Shenaly Miah, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Enterprise, Skills and Growth at Tower Hamlets Council. “It has been inspiring to meet such a wide range of business owners today and hear about their journeys, from an initial idea to a start-up and a successful business. Our programmes are designed to support people at every stage of their business journey, and it’s fantastic to see the growth and success they have helped enable. I’d also encourage our wider community to support local and start-up businesses. And if you have a business idea or are looking for support to grow your business, get in touch with our teams to find out how we can help.”
●To find out more about business support, go to the Council’s website:
Tower Hamlets Council Business Support and Advice
●Read more about it:
Mayor Lutfur Rahman expands support for cost of living
Council offers utility help to local businesses
