PATRON FOCUS
COUNCIL HELPS businesses navigate COVID pandemic Wandsworth Council has spent the last 16 months supporting businesses through the worst pandemic in living memory. From giving guidance on how businesses can reopen safely to promoting the “shop local” message so they can trade with each other, the Council has been with the business community every step of the way, providing as much support as possible so they can kick-start an economic recovery. The Council has worked closely with Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce and its members for many years and was one of the Chamber’s inaugural patron members. According to Mark Maidment, chief executive of Wandsworth Council, it was a logical step for the Council to assume patron status. Mark, whose remit also covers Richmond Council, says: “It provides a tangible recognition of the Council’s support for the Chamber and the borough’s business community. We thought it was a great funding model that gave more prominence for the Council and more financial stability for the Chamber. It was easier than the previous ad hoc sponsorship of different events and initiatives. “It highlights the importance the Council attaches to the borough’s business community and helps us to engage with local business owners and entrepreneurs. This has been incredibly important in the last year when effective communications with business have been essential. Officers and members are regular attendees at Chamber events, which allow us to hear the views of business and informs the work of the Council. The annual Business Awards are a great celebration of the borough’s business community – we can’t wait for them to return!” Whilst economic conditions have been extremely challenging due to the pandemic, Mark believes that there are many benefits of doing business in Wandsworth.
“The Council has always appreciated the role local businesses play, not only as generators of jobs and wealth but as part of our community,” he says. “Wandsworth’s businesses regularly contribute to local initiatives such as the Power to Connect project run by Battersea Power Station, which helped get reconditioned laptops and devices to children so they could continue their learning online during the pandemic. Businesses will be at the heart of the borough’s post-pandemic recovery and the renewal of our high streets.”
MARK MAIDMENT
“Wandsworth’s businesses regularly contribute to local initiatives such as the Power to Connect project run by Battersea Power
With the successful COVID vaccination roll-out in full swing, there is growing hope for a much brighter future.
Station, which helped
Mark says: “We’re cautiously optimistic that things are returning to a new normal and we’ll continue to help businesses as they plot an economic recovery.
laptops and devices to
“We’re proud of the support we’ve provided so far. The most tangible form of support has been the distribution of millions of pounds of government grant funding since the first lockdown. We’ve also provided advice and support to help high street businesses to trade safely as well as supporting outdoor trading through free pavement licences and temporary pedestrianisation schemes such as that at Northcote Road and through the Wandsworth Enterprise Hub (wandsworthenterprisehub.com) we’re supporting more businesses than ever to start up and grow.”
get reconditioned children so they could continue their learning online during the pandemic. Businesses will be at the heart of the borough’s postpandemic recovery and the renewal of our high streets.”
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