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Diners swallow up meal deal
Hospitality businesses in and around Clapham Junction joined thousands of companies in signing up to the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme in August.
Under the scheme, which ran on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays until August 31, prices of meals out were slashed by 50% in the Junction’s participating pubs, restaurants, bars and cafes. The half-price discount applied to all food and non-alcoholic drinks consumed on the premises, but not to food or drink served at takeaways or mobile food vans. From the bigger brands to small independents, hospitality businesses within the BID footprint served up a myriad of international cuisine from Spanish, French, American, British and Thai to Japanese, Italian, Chinese and Mexican. The diverse range of food on offer included fine dining, brasserie-style, gastro pub grub, tapas, burgers, salads, wraps, light snacks, speciality teas, continental coffees, cakes, shakes and ice-creams. The scheme offered a maximum discount of £10 per person and could save a family of four up to £40 per meal – keeping more money in families’ pockets and giving a vital boost to the UK’s hospitality sector. Customers did not need a voucher to use the scheme, which could be accessed at the same time as other offers and discounts. There was no minimum spend and diners could take advantage of the deals as many times as they liked, although there was no discount on alcoholic drinks or service charges. The discount was automatically available at participating establishments and the government reimbursed the businesses for the offer. All diners in a group of any size could use the discount.
FUNDING GIVES SKILLS
BOOST to 15,000 young Londoners
More than 15,000 young Londoners benefited from an additional £2.1million investment by the mayor Sadiq Khan in activities and projects over the summer, to boost skills, improve mental health and steer young people away from becoming involved in violence.
The funding helped 85 youth organisations across the capital at a crucial time, as London emerged from lockdown and ahead of the new school year.
City Hall research, backed up by a UK Youth report on the impact of COVID-19, shows that lockdown has had a significant impact on young people’s mental health, wellbeing, loneliness, activity levels and future opportunities, and continues to have a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable, those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and those from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, who are likely to suffer the worst effects of the recession. The research also reveals evidence of a link between poor mental health, poverty and deprivation, and young people becoming involved in or becoming victims of serious violence.
The Putney Pedals scheme will see all trade waste collected by electric bike and transported to a nearby consolidation site for bulk collection.
It is hoped that, by utilising this methodology, project partners will be able to deliver improvements in local air quality and congestion, as well as increased recycling The Mayor of London and London’s Violence Reduction Unit invested an extra £2.1 million to support projects which are dedicated to improving the wellbeing and opportunities of young people aged up to 25 across London, including some of the most vulnerable young people and their families. Sophie Linden, deputy mayor for policing and crime, said: “The mayor’s funding is supporting some of the city’s most vulnerable young people, providing crucial activities – sports and creative programmes – that help build skills, relationships and resilience. They also provide earlyintervention opportunities to prevent young people from being involved in or a victim of crime.” Since the launch of the mayor’s Young Londoners Fund in May 2018, it has supported more than 300 projects that will help more than 110,000 young people fulfil their potential, particularly those who
PUTNEY PEDALS gets on bike to green up the environment
Positively Putney has teamed up with the London Waste and Recycling Board to launch an innovative and unique trade waste scheme for Putney businesses.
are at risk of getting caught up in crime. accessibility and performance for businesses in the area.They are currently looking for two friendly and hard-working individuals to get involved in the initiative. These individuals must have a passion for cycling, the environment and good customer service, as well as a can-do outlook and a willingness to work in all weathers.
Art facelift for Clapham Junction town centre
Shoppers in Clapham Junction can now browse an open-air gallery of artwork as they pass the landmark Arding & Hobbs building which recently closed as a Debenhams store.
As part of an initiative to support local high streets, Wandsworth Council is working with landowners and business representatives around the borough to use local art to improve and reinvigorate shopping areas after the impact of the coronavirus lockdown.
The new hoardings erected around the 1920s building include historical information boards about the building as well as a series of artworks from Battersea artists. The boards also show consultation updates from the landlord, W.RE, with its proposals for the future of the building. Councillor Aled Richards-Jones, the council’s spokesman for
The jobs brokerage service has been working online throughout the pandemic, matching local people to vacancies and training. But now a dedicated employment support team based at the Work Match office in Falcon Road is once again meeting businesses and residents in person to help them into work.
Since Work Match was set up by Wandsworth Council in 2013, it has placed more than 1,500 people into jobs across all sectors including retail, construction, hospitality and care. economic development and business, said: “In Clapham Junction, as in many of our borough’s town centres, it’s important that we make the high street as appealing as possible for shoppers and visitors who are returning as restrictions ease. This new initiative shows how we can respond creatively to that need. “The council is working hard with local business associations to help normality return to our usually bustling town centres and give confidence to shoppers and businesses who are looking to invest in our area.” Roz Lloyd-Williams, executive BID director for The Junction BID, said: “We’re incredibly excited Now the jobs service has introduced new support for local businesses forced to make redundancies. Work Match can work with their staff in advance to help them find new jobs if they live in Wandsworth. There is also a tailored recruitment service to help businesses that need to fill vacancies. Suitable candidates are fitted to the job – with an emphasis on hiring local talent where possible to reduce travel time and encourage greater productivity and job satisfaction. Working near home also helps employees to have a better that the Clapham Junction BID will see our local Battersea artists celebrated in this borough-wide exhibition of art installations. Clapham Junction will see displays rolled out across the BID footprint: namely, St John’s Road, St John’s Hill, Lavender Hill, Battersea Rise, Northcote Road and part of Falcon Road.” The artists featured on Arding & Hobbs this summer had previously taken part in Wandsworth Artists’ Open House event, which has been postponed in its usual format this year due to the pandemic.
Local artists and art organisations can find out more
WORK MATCH opens door for local recruitment
Work Match has now re-opened its doors to jobseekers and businesses wanting to recruit – complete with COVID-safe measures in place.
at www.wandsworthart.com
work-life balance, offers greater flexibility around shift patterns and is better for the environment with less reliance on cars or other forms of transport. Wandsworth Councillor Aled Richards-Jones, cabinet member for economic growth, skills and employment, said: “As the number of local people looking for work increases, Work Match is well-prepared for getting them trained and ready for work. Businesses need to know that they are not on their own when trying to find the right person to fit the job in these difficult times.”
Whether you are part of a large organisation or work from an office at home, there are many good reasons for joining the Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce.
As the business hub of Wandsworth, your Chamber is influential in helping to create the right business environment for local companies to flourish.
Through membership you have the ability to use our “business voice”, the opportunity to meet key stakeholders, network and do business with many other local businesses that you won’t find anywhere else. So, do it now, online, and start enjoying the many benefits on offer.
www.wandsworthchamber.org
For more information or to discuss how we can help you, please contact us at: Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce 020 3633 6575
