Andrew Dismore

Barnet and Camden Assembly Member Andrew Dismore has praised the new support hub for struggling small businesses launched by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, as applications also open for a new £1 million fund to help London’s firms survive the dual impacts of Covid-19 and Brexit.

The London Business Hub will provide a range of free support and funding opportunities to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) of all sectors. It includes an online portal (www.businesshub.london) to help London’s businesses to start, sustain and grow, and a programme to equip around 240 businesses in the capital with the leadership skills necessary to safeguard against future economic shocks. SMEs will get advice on business rates and landlord negotiations, and also how to navigate government support schemes and recover reduced revenue streams.

Through a partnership with the Business School (formerly Cass Business School) firms will receive expert support and can access one-on-one sessions of tailored advice with the Hub’s team of business advisers. Encouraging collaboration, a peer-to-peer network has also been set up, where business leaders can discuss, meet and tackle their challenges together.

Funding of up to £30,000 will be rewarded to projects that develop innovative solutions to the environmental and economic challenges facing the London’s economy. This could include new ways of using data and technology to identify and address vulnerabilities in supply chains, local food or energy production.

Andrew Dismore AM, said:

“Small businesses have been struggling badly thanks to COVID, and may do so in the future thanks to the possibility of no-deal Brexit disrupting supply chains, so this support for business is welcome. Whilst the government does little to help businesses, it is good to see Sadiq Khan provide the kind of advice and support small businesses need to navigate the highly complex myriad of government programmes, as well as get general support on how to keep a business going in tough times.”

ENDS

Notes

• Andrew Dismore AM is the London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden.