Southwark
BUSINESS TODAY
Issue 28: April - May 2020
Resilience in adversity Facing one of the biggest challenges to our businesses - together - page 22
Get Cyber ready! Daniel Malkoun is now helping SMEs across the borough to stave off the threat of cyber criminals - page 18
• The government has unveiled a • Why supporting diversity and equality £350 billion package of financial measures makes good business sense. to shore up the economy against the Page 26 effects of the coronavirus. Page 4
• Full speed ahead with 1Gb Broadband. Page 15
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Welcome
Welcome to Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
Contents
The Southwark Chamber of Commerce magazine for all businesses in Southwark Recently announced government measures will help in this respect. The Jobs Retention Scheme will allow firms to retain top talent until the effects of the coronavirus dissipate. This is hugely important as it will provide a lifeline to workers who would otherwise struggle to make ends meet, and enable companies to be in the best possible shape to capitalise when the economy starts moving again.
Resilience needed in adversity The global community is facing one of its greatest challenges. The COVID-19 virus, which has swept through countries at an alarming rate, is having a dreadful impact on social and business life. Scores of lives have been lost, including young people as well as the elderly and vulnerable. I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to every family who has been affected by this terrible disease. While the health of individuals and their loved ones is of paramount importance, companies in Southwark and beyond are doing their best to protect their financial health and the welfare of their hard-working employees.
Meanwhile, the Self-employment Income Support Scheme will help dozens of freelancers – many of whom operate in our borough’s well-renowned arts and culture sector – to keep their businesses afloat. Grants for small businesses, VAT holidays and extra welfare payments are also part of the £350bn-plus stimulus package (more information at https://www.gov.uk/ government/publications/ guidance-to-employers-andbusinesses-about-covid-19). These measures will undoubtedly help large swathes of our business community – but they will not prevent several months of difficulty and possible hardship ahead. That’s why it is vital that we, as a tight-knit community, stick together and show resilience to get through this challenging period. Bouncing back from adversity is something we’re good at. In this edition we profile Daniel Malkoun, who launched his recruitment consultancy after the 2008 recession and transformed it into a thriving business. This is just one example; there are countless others.
Businesses are adjusting to this new way of life, changing working methods and using technology to allow staff to dial into meetings from home. While this is a positive, I worry about the general isolation and lack of interaction that many people will be experiencing. Companies must be aware of this and take steps to keep open the lines of communication with their staff. Their wellbeing is important; checking in with them regularly can help them to maintain a positive outlook. The Chamber, too, is adapting. We’ve had to postpone networking events for now in line with government guidelines but are looking at other ways to interact with you and bring you as much helpful information as we can in these troubled times. We have limited resources but, if you contact us, we will do our best to assist if we can. We are actively planning an online webinar so please do watch this space. Coming soon! Meanwhile, I would like to welcome our newest member to the Chamber, Peter Curtis from IDFM City Ltd. I hope that you, your family, friends and colleagues keep safe and well. With best wishes,
Les Johnson Chairman Southwark Chamber of Commerce
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4-5 Up Front 7 Legal 9-10 News 11 Economy 12-13 British Land 16-17 Skills 18-19 Big Interview 21 Voice from Westminster 22-23 Resilience 24-25 Arts & Culture 26-27 Equality & Diversity 28-29 Remembering When… 30-31 Health & Wellbeing 33 News 34 Join Us
Enquiries
Southwark Chamber of Commerce 169 Walworth Road, London SE17 1RW Tel: 07477 581977 Email: admin@southwarkcommerce.com Web: www.SouthwarkCommerce.com
Editor
Jez Davison Email: jez@benhampublishing.com
Contributing Editor Susan Isaacs
Publisher
Benham Publishing Limited Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: admin@benhampublishing.com Web: www.benhampublishing.com
Published
April 2020 © Benham Publishing
Advertising and Features
Karen Hall Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: karen@benhampublishing.com
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Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 3
Up Front
£6m boost for local projects Local people and organisations in Southwark are being offered a stake in a £6m pot of funding for community projects. Southwark Council has raised around £23m in Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) since 2015. Now up to 25 percent of this – almost £6m – has been designated as local CIL and is available to spend on community projects that can be completed by December 31, 2023.
Multi-billion-pound boost for beleaguered businesses The government has unveiled a £350 billion package of financial measures to shore up the economy against the effects of the coronavirus.
The CIL is a levy raised on development schemes (new buildings such as housing, hotels or shops) and the money is used by the council to fund local infrastructure projects. It’s just one of the ways in which developments and developers can give back to the community, especially to those who’ve been impacted by the building works (such as neighbours who had to put up with noise or temporary road closures). Cllr Johnson Situ, cabinet member for growth, development and planning, said: “The growth in the borough over the past decade has created new homes, new jobs, more trade and better transport. “Local CIL money is a direct investment in the local community on infrastructure projects that you can see, touch and smell. Our approach to allocating the money means the funds are spent in the neighbourhoods in which they were generated. “So now we want to hear the ideas from our local communities. If you have an idea to support growth in your area – whether it’s infrastructure for transport, green spaces or community facilities like the one at Surrey Docks Farm – this is an unprecedented opportunity to share your idea and get your project off the ground. The council is now seeking to gather the best and brightest ideas from across Southwark before deciding upon the best way to spend the money. Anybody with a suggestion should submit their idea by Thursday April 30, 2020 using the council’s new map-based website for CIL projects. See www.southwark.gov.uk/cil for more information.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that £330bn will be made available in the form of loans, as well as £20bn in other aid. The business rates holiday will be extended to all firms in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors irrespective of the rateable value of their business premises, and cash grants of up to £25,000 will be made available to smaller companies. In a move to allay widespread fears over the potential impact of the virus on businesses and everyday life, the Chancellor also said he would make further funds available should there be demand for it. He said: “The measures I have announced are part of a comprehensive, coordinated and coherent response to what is a serious and evolving economic situation. “This is not a time for ideology and orthodoxy. This is a time to be bold. A time for courage. I want to reassure every British citizen [that] this government will give you all the tools you need to get through this. “We will support jobs, we will support incomes, we will support businesses, and we will help you protect your loved ones. “We have never faced an economic fight like this one. But we are well prepared. We will get through this. And we will do whatever it takes.” Responding to the Chancellor’s announcements, BCC Director General Dr Adam Marshall said: “Businesses will welcome the scale of the Government’s latest response, as well as the specific support it is offering to some of the worst-affected
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parts of our economy. These measures could be a lifeline for many businesses across the UK who are now experiencing wholesale disruption as a result of the pandemic. “The key to the success of these measures is whether they get cash to businesses on the front line, fast. Companies need practical details, at great speed, for these interventions to have the desired impact, and to reassure firms across the UK. “Both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor were clear that the Government would do whatever it takes over the coming days to support businesses, their employees, and the economy. Further measures will be needed to help all firms and their employees meet this unprecedented challenge.” Mr Marshall’s comments come after the BCC downgraded its economic growth forecasts amid disruption caused by the coronavirus. The organisation expects growth to fall from 1% to 0.8% in 2020 – which outside of the 2008-09 financial crisis would be the weakest full-year growth outturn since 1992. However, the BCC also said it expected growth to pick up in subsequent years, to 1.4% in 2021 and 1.6% in 2022. This forecast indicates that by the end of 2022, the UK economy will have grown below its historic average growth rate of 2.6% for eight successive years, the longest period since records began.
“We have never faced an economic fight like this one. But we are well prepared. We will get through this. And we will do whatever it takes.”
Up Front
Camberwell to benefit from £1.5m investment
Southwark Council has been awarded £1.5m from the GLA’s Good Growth Fund to transform three key areas in Camberwell to make it an even better place to live, work and visit.
New cultural venue earmarked for Bermondsey
Really Local Group and Southwark Council are working together to create a high street cultural venue for Bermondsey. The venue aims to restore an iconic landmark at The Blue, a central marketplace. Through positive regeneration, Really Local Group has committed to transform the building, which has lain empty for over a year, into a vibrant cultural community hub to complement and enhance the existing local creative scene. The development will be an all-day community space that will see the creation of a threescreen cinema, coffee shop, café, bar, informal co-working spaces and a food and craft hall featuring local artisans and vendors. It will offer quality and affordable entertainment: £6.50 to watch a film and
£13 on average for live events (40% lower prices than the UK average). The new venue will also encourage community ownership and regular business through an annual membership programme, and offer students the option to sign up for just £25 to receive exclusive access to free tickets, discounts and benefits. Preston Benson, founder of Really Local Group, said: “We are very excited to enhance the cultural infrastructure offer in a borough with an established craft and music heritage. Working with Southwark Council, we hope to be able to curate a new cultural quarter for the town and secure collaboration opportunities with local independent businesses,
artisans and traders.” Cllr Leo Pollak, cabinet member for new homes, great estates and social regeneration, said: “After years of working to improve the mix of shops and stalls at the Blue, and intervening on the sale of Thorowgoods, we are hugely proud to have secured a threescreen cinema, community events and exhibition space and an affordable food market showing the best of local producers. We were greatly impressed by Really Local Group’s approach, and I’m confident this will become a major new arts centre for the north of the borough, and a game-changer for the Blue.”
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The funding will be used to make improvements to three areas identified by local people: better connections between Denmark Hill station and the hospitals and town centre, help to open more space at Camberwell College of Arts to local people, and improvements to the landscaping on Camberwell Station Road and support for ArchCo’s plans to open up empty arches to businesses. The projects were identified during the council’s consultation work on the Camberwell Area Plan, also funded by the GLA, which involved speaking with and listening to local residents, businesses and landowners to come up with a range of proposals. The plan identifies and unlocks the area’s forgotten spaces, steers future development proposals to achieve an ambitious vision for the area, supports the case for reopening Camberwell Station and identifies the projects that were part of this successful bid. Cllr Johnson Situ, cabinet member for growth, development and planning, said: “This is fantastic news for us and Camberwell residents and will support the existing council plans and investment into the area. “The projects being funded will encourage much-needed inward investment in the area, encourage more cycling and walking, help tackle air pollution and unlock new opportunities for new housing and improvements to public space in the area.” Jules Pipe, deputy mayor for planning, regeneration and skills, said: “The mayor and I are committed to doing all we can to support projects which create opportunities to regenerate their local areas. This is a great example of how Londoners can take a lead in shaping the future of the capital.”
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Running a business? The team at Anthony Gold can help in planning and managing all aspects of business and business relationships, including your commercial property transactions. Our expert commercial solicitors will be pleased to advise.
Contact Alan Zeffertt on aze@anthonygold.co.uk Offices in London Bridge, Streatham and Elephant & Castle
020 7940 4060
mail@anthonygold.co.uk
www.anthonygold.co.uk
Anthony Gold
Can a business tenant negotiate a rent reduction for commercial premises closed by Coronavirus? Many business premises are now empty due to Covid-19 restrictions, especially in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors. These businesses may be unable to pay the rent while the restrictions continue. What can tenants do if they are struggling? Legal rights A lease usually provides for rent to be paid quarterly in advance, whether or not you occupy the premises. • The Coronavirus Act 2020, in force from 25 March 2020, protects business tenants from eviction for non-payment of rent. Your landlord may not re-enter or forfeit your lease from 26 March 2020 until 30 June 2020 or such longer period as may be specified. • Check if your lease allows closure due to force majeure events. • If you have a turnover rent clause in your lease, check if there is a penalty for closure in breach of a ‘keep open’ provision; a landlord could charge a penalty based upon average daily turnover for days closed. • If your lease contains a break clause then consider exercising this. Check the terms, which may include paying all rent due to date.
• There may be the opportunity for the tenant to assign or sublet, with landlord consent, which may not be unreasonably withheld. However, finding another tenant to take over the premises in the current climate is likely to be challenging.
What can you ask your landlord to do? • Agree a suspension or waiver of rent or reduce the rent over a fixed period. • Ask for a moratorium or for rent to be deferred. • Consider negotiating over interest to be paid on rent not paid in time. • Ask for the rent to be converted to a turnoveronly rent where the landlord receives a percentage of your turnover or net profits. • If you pay rent quarterly in advance, ask to pay quarterly in arrears or monthly to assist with cash flow. • If you are able to reach an agreement in principle make sure this is confirmed
in writing and your landlord agrees not to take legal action while you adhere to the terms. Otherwise, a landlord could take proceedings to recover arrears, may take control of your goods or serve a statutory demand and threaten insolvency proceedings if Other possible financial payment is not made within reliefs 21 days. • Business rates holiday for • Consider negotiating a retail, hospitality and leisure surrender of your lease. businesses during the 2020/21 tax year.
How strong is your negotiating position?
Given the large number of vacant properties and the number of businesses likely to go into insolvency, many tenants will be in a strong position. A landlord will have to consider the prospects of being left with vacant premises for a considerable period of time and the associated costs. Assess the likelihood of the landlord wanting to take back the premises. The landlord may have its own agenda for wanting to bring your lease to an end.
• A cash grant of up to £25,000 per property for businesses in retail, hospitality and retail sectors. Those businesses with a property with a rateable value of up to £15,000 will receive a grant of £15,000 and those with a rateable of value of between £15,000 and £51,000 will receive a grant of £25,000. • Empty rate relief. • Check the terms of your business insurances to see whether a claim for business interruption can be claimed.
Alan Zeffertt
Our expert commercial property solicitors will be pleased to advise you. Please contact Alan Zeffertt on aze@anthonygold.co.uk or another member of our Commercial Property Team. Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 7
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News
Mayor contributes £1m to new emergency support fund The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has pledged £1m to a new emergency support fund to help London’s community and voluntary organisations affected by the impact of the coronavirus. The Mayor has joined City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation’s charitable funder, and London Funders, a network of investors of London’s civil society, to launch the new fund – with an initial £1m provided by City Hall and £1m from City Bridge Trust. He is also making a plea to other funding organisations – and calling on central government – to contribute to the £2m fund. The emergency scheme, which will be coordinated by London Funders, will be available to organisations facing immediate
financial pressures and uncertainty because of the coronavirus. These include increasing demands for services, higher staff absences, fewer volunteers and lower donations.
its very best. They support our communities and provide much-needed help to the most vulnerable, so in these challenging times their work is more important than ever.
A variety of funders from across London will pool their resources and expertise to help these organisations. Many have small teams and rely on the support of volunteers to help vulnerable Londoners, such as those on low incomes and victims of domestic violence.
“It’s vital that we unite to do what we can to support these organisations and I’m proud to be able to provide funding to help their ongoing work.
Sadiq Khan said: “London’s community and voluntary organisations show our capital at
“I urge other groups and central government to join this fund and hope individuals can step forward and do what they can to help others at this time.”
Local communities set to benefit from a £24m investment Innovative projects which help Londoners shape the future of their local communities are set to benefit from a £24m investment from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
In total 54 projects across the capital will benefit, from a community theatre and a fully-accessible community centre for Londoners with disabilities, to exciting plans to transform markets and high streets.
Through his Good Growth Fund, the mayor has announced a final £23.7m to support more than 40 forward-thinking regeneration projects across the capital.Launched in 2017 and delivered in partnership with the London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP), the Good Growth Fund seeks to make London fairer and more inclusive by strengthening civic networks at a local level, encouraging innovation and supporting great design. In total, the fund has supported 138 projects, allocating more than £75m.
Meanwhile, the mayor has made pledges worth £343,500 via the seventh round of his Crowdfund London programme. He is supporting 14 communitydriven ideas, from a social enterprise cinema in Brent to a grassroots community space in Upton Park. Since its launch, Crowdfund London has backed more than 130 local projects proposed and delivered by communities to improve their local areas. The mayor has pledged more than £2.5m alongside almost 20,000 members of the public.
Sadiq Khan said: “London’s local communities are sources of tremendous innovation and creativity. Through my Good Growth Fund and Crowdfund London programme, we’re supporting thousands of businesses and helping more Londoners make a difference to their local areas across the city. “London’s growth places significant pressures on our high streets and open spaces. The funding I’ve announced will help create healthier and more inclusive places to work, live and visit.”
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News
Former biscuit factory scheme gets go-ahead The site of a former biscuit factory in Southwark is set to be transformed into more than 1,500 homes and new buildings for a local secondary school. All of the 1,548 new homes to be built as part of the redevelopment of the Biscuit Factory and Bermondsey Campus in Southwark have been earmarked for the rental market – of which 35 per cent will be affordable housing, including homes at social rent levels. The plans also include new facilities for the Compass Secondary School, flexible commercial space including affordable workspaces, and two new pedestrian routes through nearby railway arches. The plans have been approved by Jules Pipe, the deputy mayor for planning, regeneration and skills.
Pollution falls in the capital Air quality in some of London’s worst pollution hotspots has improved significantly, new data has shown. The figures reveal that during 2016, London’s air exceeded the hourly legal limit for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) for more than 4,000 hours. Last year, this fell to just over 100 hours – a reduction of 97 per cent. Between 2004 to 2017, London breached the permitted number of exceedances for NO2 within the first week of the year. In 2019 only one site breached and it did not occur until July. There have also been significant reductions in Londoners’ longterm exposure to air pollution, with every monitoring site in the capital recording a reduction in
annual average NO2 levels. Across the capital there has been an average reduction of 21 per cent between 2016 and 2019. Nitrogen dioxide is a toxic gas which aggravates respiratory diseases – particularly asthma – and stunts the development of children’s lungs. Significant NO2 reductions have occurred where mayor of London Sadiq Khan has introduced Low Emission Bus Zones – areas where only buses that meet the cleanest emission standards can operate. He said: “Toxic air is a national health crisis contributing to thousands of premature deaths every year. I have taken bold
Initially Southwark Council refused permission for the scheme in February 2019 before the mayor decided to take over the application. Since his intervention, the number of homes has been increased from 1,342 to 1,548 and the level of affordable housing has been boosted from 27.5 per cent to 35 per cent.
Bakerloo Line extension gets business backing
Jules Pipe said: “The site has the potential to deliver more than 1,500 new homes in an area of London with a high demand for affordable housing, close to transport links and central London. “It will also provide new facilities for a secondary school which is currently housed in dated buildings. “Overall, it would make a significant contribution towards the regeneration of this part of Bermondsey. Having considered all the evidence available to me, I have decided to approve this application.” Southwark Council said it was “disappointed” with the decision. Cllr Johnson Situ, cabinet member for growth, development and planning, said: “Whilst we recognise the small improvement in the number of affordable homes the site will offer, this application still fails to meet the council’s policies for social and genuinely affordable housing. “Despite our disappointment, we will continue to work with Grosvenor to ensure the affordable housing and all the other benefits that can come out of the development do happen and are available to local people.”
action in London with measures such as the world’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone and Low Emission Bus Zones, and it’s undeniable that these are making a difference to the air we breathe. “We’re doing all we can in the capital, with proven results, so there are no excuses left for the government’s failure to match our levels of ambition.” However, there are still many locations across the capital where pollution levels remain high. The mayor said he would continue working with Transport for London (TfL) to trial innovative new approaches to tackle this pressing problem.
London Chamber of Commerce has given its backing to the Bakerloo Line extension. The group, which represents the interests of businesses across the capital, made the call in its manifesto published ahead of the forthcoming London mayoral election. The Chamber said the capital’s rising population is placing existing housing and transport infrastructure under severe pressure. With London’s population expected to reach 10.8 million by 2041, the Bakerloo Line extension, together with the modernisation of the existing line, will be critical in tackling the housing crisis and supporting London’s growth and productivity. It will also have a huge economic impact along the route. A report commissioned by Lewisham and Southwark Councils estimates that the Bakerloo line extension would mean an average economic boost of £7bn per year to the economies of the two boroughs over ten years, supporting 5,500 new temporary jobs and 6,000 new permanent jobs along the route. Sean McKee, policy director at London Chamber of Commerce, said: “Bakerloo Line Extension will
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be crucial to optimising the full potential of south east London, keeping our city growing, tackling the housing crisis and improving our transport network. But the project is not yet a done deal, and for trains to start running as planned by 2030, the next mayor of London will need to urgently secure the funding and powers to get construction started.” Cllr Peter John, leader of Southwark Council, said: “The south-east of London has been woefully underserved by the underground network for too long. We firmly believe the Bakerloo line extension is essential to open up new opportunities for jobs and businesses across the city and down into the south-east of London, as well as being essential for the much-needed delivery of new homes, especially affordable housing, and services that will make a real difference to people living and working in this part of Southwark. “I am pleased the benefits of the extension have been recognised by the London Chamber of Commerce and welcome them to our Back the Bakerloo campaign to secure this vital piece of infrastructure for London.”
Economy
Chamber urges firms to take ‘sensible’ action over COVID-19 Southwark Chamber of Commerce is encouraging firms to take preventative measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus and put business continuity plans in place. The COVID-19 outbreak has caused disruption to many businesses across the borough and uncertainty surrounding the extent of its impact remains, despite the government announcing a £350bn package of measures to support companies and individuals.
Les Johnson, chair of Southwark Chamber of Commerce, said: “Like me, you may all be worried and confused at the same time over precisely what to do to avoid the spread of and catching the coronavirus, which is now gaining traction in the UK. “As a business owner and in the group with underlying health issues, travelling and attending meetings is causing considerable angst! You do get the feeling it’s ‘health versus wealth’. However, without an effective workforce there may not be any business with an obvious effect on the economy. “It is important as individuals and employers we do our best to prevent the spread of the virus by taking sensible
actions where we can. This should include preventative measures but also emergency planning and a business continuity plan in place. “There is lots of government and other advice to search online and the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has issued the following information which I hope you find useful in protecting your business and yourselves. My best wishes to you all and hope you can stay well.” Please note, the Chamber is complying with Government advice and has postponed its meetings and networking events until further notice.
Businesses that require more information can visit www.iosh.com/resources-and-research/our-resources/communicable-diseases/coronavirus/
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Working with the Southwark Council to create a vibrant, inclusive, mixed-use development at Canada Water
Find out more at: www.canadawatermasterplan.com www.britishland.com
British Land
An update from the Canada Water Masterplan team We are currently experiencing uncertain times with the coronavirus outbreak, and we know that this uncertainty will affect us all. Nevertheless, we wanted to highlight some of the fantastic work that local charities and businesses in and around Canada Water are doing to support the local community, especially those who are vulnerable during this period. Southwark Community Response Fund to Covid 19 To help charities, social enterprises and community groups in Southwark manage the impact of Covid 19, United St Saviours, along with others, has launched an emergency response fund. The fund complements the London Community Response fund, meaning that over £5m is now available across Southwark for emergency financial support. The first phase of funding is already open and is offering funding for urgent needs – with grants of up to £5k for food and essentials. The second round of funding will be for larger grants, service transformation and ongoing work to support charities and community groups at this time. More information can be found on United St Saviours’ website.
Volunteer to support the local community The community across Southwark has come together to offer support for people who are vulnerable, and lots of services are looking for volunteers. Southwark Council has a dedicated website page to direct you to the various volunteering opportunities available across the borough.
Rotherhithe based charity Time & Talents is looking for volunteers to help provide frontline support and services directly to the people who need it most, through a number of activities including welfare/ telephone check ins, shopping and delivery, and dog walking. Time and Talents works with many local people who are already isolated, so the team of existing volunteers has taken on extra duties and adapted how they provide support at this time. This includes setting up telephone befriending matches for isolated people, all of whom will receive regular comforting calls over the coming months. These phone calls are also welfare/ check-in calls to older people at the time they would normally be attending their social group at Time and Talents, such as Stroke Club or Visually Impaired Group. These calls are vital to help deal with practical issues as well as offer reassurance and support. If you would like to sign up to be a volunteer, email sarahgibb@timeandtalents. org.uk or visit their website at timeandtalents.org.uk/coronavirus to find out more about the support and services they are providing.
Going virtual for business as usual Local community website SE16.com has created an online map which shows which local businesses are operating delivery services within Canada Water visit se16.com/covid19 to view it. It’s a great resource to help pinpoint how you can help continue to support local SE16 businesses, whether buying groceries from Surrey Docks Farm or ordering in a meal from Yellow House. Keep an eye on their Twitter page - @se16 – for regular updates on the various support programmes that are available. Elsewhere, Global Generation, an environmental education charity based at the Printworks, has put together a Stay At Home activity pack for families to help provide inspiration for activities that can be done within the home. The activities have been selected for a diverse range of ages and abilities and include recipes, stories, making, mindfulness, and foraging, all of which require minimal materials. They will be releasing more issues with a different theme in each.
To sign up to their mailing list and receive their activity packs, visit their website at globalgeneration. org.uk/get-involved and subscribe to their newsletter. Meanwhile, Ballers Football Academy are now livestreaming their training sessions on YouTube so you can take part from home. They’re great for the whole family and are another way for people to exercise whilst being in isolation. Subscribe to their YouTube channel by searching ‘BallersTV’ on YouTube to receive alerts about when they will be streaming their next session. You can also email them at info@ballersfootballacademy.co.uk to find out more.
What we are we doing Here at British Land, we are working with our partners, customers and the local community to help navigate through this time, especially for those who are hardest hit. At Surrey Quays and Canada Water, we’re working with local partners regarding how we can best support them to adapt to new circumstances, and we have also released our smaller retail, food & beverage and leisure customers from their rental obligations for three months (April to June). We hope this will go someway to supporting local businesses through this difficult time.
To find out more about our work locally and the Masterplan, visit our website - www.canadawatermasterplan.com If you have any questions or would like to be added to the mailing list to receive direct updates about the project, please get in touch by emailing team@canadawatermasterplan.com
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Hyperoptics
Making a remote workforce thrive, not just survive Charles Davies, MD ISP, Hyperoptic Businesses in Southwark have been dipping their toes into remote working for the last ten years. The good news is that it means the vast majority of businesses in Southwark were technologically prepared to make the complete shift to staff working from home. Most employees had company laptops, VPNs and access to cloudbased company systems.
Also, because Hyperoptic has been rolling out it’s full fibre broadband network across the borough for the last couple of years, they have been able to access these systems with the fastest and most reliable connection in the UK. So far, so good. However, if you really want to make remote working “work” you need to look beyond the technological foundation. It requires a fundamental shift in mindset The first place to start is by dispelling some preconceptions. Many of us had a negative view of ‘home workers’ in the past. Rather than toiling at the office, they were swilling tea in their pyjamas, signing for their neighbours Amazon deliveries. Now we ‘are’ those home workers, we know the reality is different, but that doesn’t mean we’ve fully broken that prejudice. As tempting as it is to keep emailing and checking in to see that people are doing what they are meant to be doing, bear in mind how distracting and annoying that could become. The key is to ‘engage’ not ‘enrage’ your remote work colleagues. If you are a manager then set yourself a to-do list to have a 20-minute check in with individual team members, every couple of days. Having this set time to talk to them, understand their challenges, and reassure them, is much
more beneficial than constant chasers on chat channels or email. Another way to keep staff engaged is to think about ways you can keep the ‘social’ element of work going. Some great initiatives we have tried is virtual coffee breaks, virtual ‘wine’ down time at the end of the day and shared playlists. You can also add bespoke channels on your chat platform of choice, where staff can share funny home working memes and pictures of their home working spaces. Keeping the ‘face’ time is also important. Yes, it may feel more comfortable to do calls via audio only, but there’s a lot to be said about seeing each other. If you don’t already have a video conferencing service then you can choose from a number of providers who are currently offering services for free, including Zoom, Webex and Google Hangouts. Obviously keeping staff engaged and productive is important, but don’t forget that customers and suppliers also need the same treatment. There’s no reason why your business cannot grow during this time. Keep focused on numbers, and make sure everyone is working together with clearly defined common goals. Communication at this time is paramount, so make sure everyone knows what role they have to play – no matter where they are working from!
“Some great initiatives we have tried is virtual coffee breaks, virtual ‘wine’ down time at the end of the day and shared playlists. You can also add bespoke channels on your chat platform of choice, where staff can share funny home working memes and pictures of their home working spaces.” 14 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
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Skills
Bringing sustainability in to focus LSBU Business School is looking at ways to support the development of sustainability – both in theory and in practice. Mapping our courses to the UN’s Sustainability Development Goals: Sarah Moore-Williams, Dean of LSBU Business School The United Nations’ (UN) Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) serve as guidelines for businesses to assess and manage social, economic and environmental risk, while contributing to bettering their reputation, image and their strategic position in the world’s markets. To this end, LSBU Business School has begun to adapt teaching, led by Dean Sarah Moore-Williams.
than ever, doing our part is crucial. The UN’s sustainable development goals are key for businesses both internationally and here in the heart of the capital. As a university educating current and future professionals, it’s important that our students are equipped with a framework which will help them to make a positive impact in the business world. With this in mind, we are mapping all our courses to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
“We’re seeing the effects of our daily actions on our world, and now more
Our ‘Economic Policy’ - part of our BSc Economics course - helps students learn
16 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
how to use economics to understand and discuss views on some of the pressing policy problems facing our societies. Topical areas include inequality, financial stability, the future of work, climate change, wealth creation and innovation. This critical discussion maps specifically to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Similarly, our ‘Social Responsibility and Ethics’ module on our BA Marketing course looks at the sustainability of the contemporary marketplace, businesses and consumption. It also covers collating and
Skills interpreting evidence to make reasoned decisions about if and how sustainability and ethics can be embedded to contemporary marketing practice. This maps to SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption. Embedding the UN Sustainability Goals into our syllabus is very important to me, as Dean of the Business School. I see it as an important tool in making connections between academic study, and the real-life challenges faced by societies and businesses globally. In making these connections between business subjects and global challenges, I hope that our students will gain an insight into how their academic courses intersect with wider concerns around global development and sustainability, and ways they can make a difference.
“We’re seeing the effects of our daily actions on our world, and now more than ever, doing our part is crucial.”
Sarah Moore-Williams, Dean of LSBU Business School
My interest in sustainability in research and in teaching: Grace O’Rourke, LSBU Business School Marketing Lecturer “I began to take an interest in sustainability research while working on my PhD in recent years. My PhD looked at pleasurable ways to engage in sustainability, specifically around waste management. It is common that our ‘environmentally-friendly practices’ are thrust upon us by public policy – recycling, for example.
Upcycling My PhD study highlighted that some practices, like upcycling, are regarded as fun and enjoyable. Contradictory to previous studies which looked at practices encouraged by public policy, upcyclists were found to love what they do! Upcycling involves taking waste and in some way transforming it, to create something of higher quality or value – pallet furniture is quite a common example. This was all fascinating to me, because if we could somehow harness this pleasurable, enjoyable and playful relationship which consumers were found to have with
sustainable consumption, there may be a way which sustainability more broadly, could be encouraged as a positive practice to incorporate to one’s life. Even now, during the Covid19 pandemic, lots of people are posting images of their upcycled projects online – it is being regarded as a pleasurable way to spend time during these trying times.
environmentally-destructive and materialistic mindset amongst consumers? None of these are easy questions to answer, and indeed, students won’t find all the answers in three or four years while studying with me, but they will go out into the working world and hopefully be capable of questioning the decisions they make as future workers.
More broadly however, sustainability is being questioned - our current economic and political structure are incompatible with sustainable planetary development. Academics are increasingly seeking alternative proposals for sustainable ways for us to live on this planet, and indeed alternative ways for us to define success which doesn’t ultimately depend on planetary destruction. There are so many questions that still need answering, but what we do know, is that it is imperative that we find an enjoyable, but sustainable, way forward for all.
As a lecturer, I aim to arm my students and future graduates with the thinking-skills required to better our existence on this planet – it is the only planet we’ve got.”
Teaching the impact of business decisions I bring these key questions to the classroom every day at LSBU Business School. I encourage students to think what the impact of their business decision, no matter how small, will have on stakeholders and society at large. I teach marketing subjects, which as a business practice, has historically impacted society in a negative way – take the marketers depiction of the ‘perfect body image’ as an example. More broadly, I ask students to question what the point of marketing actually is; are we here only to encourage people to buy more stuff? Do people need more stuff? Are we here solely to encourage an
Translating theory in to practice In 2019, LSBU Business School moved to a new home; the refurbished university LRC. One of the main aims of the redesign was to incorporate more sustainability into the building, with upcycled and recycled furniture. The change from single occupancy offices to an open plan layout meant that a lot of the original furniture could no longer be used. To solve the problem, furniture and machinery have been upcycled and repurposed. Where some of the furniture could not be upcycled, additional recycled furnishings were purchased as replacements, including the ‘Vona’ chairs, constructed using felt made from recycled plastic bottles. With these steps, the Business School moves further towards practicing the sustainable message it teaches. With theory, teaching and practice responding to sustainability challenges, LSBU Business School hopes to make a positive contribution to the community; both locally and globally.
To find out more about LSBU Business School, please visit www.lsbu.ac.uk/SouthwarkBusiness
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 17
Big Interview
Get Cyber ready! Having launched a recruitment consultancy at the height of a recession, Daniel Malkoun is now helping SMEs across the borough to stave off the threat of cyber criminals… In 2008 one of the worst financial crises in living memory sent shockwaves through the global economy. In the aftermath, scores of jobs were lost as companies made drastic cutbacks and, in some cases, were forced to close their business. Daniel Malkoun, however, took a rather different approach. With two other partners, Alex Hillman and Mark Edwards, he took the bold step of launching Amdas recruitment consultancy in 2009 when the UK was mired in recession. It’s a move that has paid handsome dividends. In the last ten years, the business has grown steadily and gained a strong reputation as customer-focused consultancy with a track record of successfully matching job-hunters with the appropriate vacancy. Daniel says: “We thought that if we could make this business work in the recession, we could do well when the going got easier. In 2009 we were in survival mode. We built up a good client base and continued to work with them until the market improved.” In recent years, the company has expanded its team of staff to ten and boosted annual turnover to £1.2 million. This period has also seen the emergence of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and the growth of social media platforms, which have brought new opportunities for Amdas and revolutionised the way recruitment consultancies work. Daniel says: “Recruitment used to be a matter of picking up a Yellow Pages but it has become much more sophisticated.
Now there are so many tools at our disposal – we use LinkedIn extensively, for example – to ensure we get the right fit of jobseeker with job vacancy.” Key to Amdas’ success is its ability to put client needs at the centre of the recruitment process. A comprehensive understanding of each client’s approach to resourcing staff is gained, after which a tailor-made solution is developed to suit each individual business. The company supplies permanent, contract and temporary staff to businesses across several sectors including finance and operations, media and marketing – and is now helping firms protect their data and improve their cyber security. Daniel believes that the latter is a key growth market for Amdas, especially as it’s so inextricably bound with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) compliance. The GDPR rules came into force across Europe in May 2018 to protect individuals and businesses and prevent the misuse of data. Companies now have to explain what data they hold, why they have it and how they’re managing it. They must also be able to say who in the organisation is responsible for the data and ensure they have a secure environment in which to store it. Daniel says: “There’s a lack of education around GDPR and cyber security – two related and hugely important issues for businesses. Many SMEs are intransigent to GDPR compliance, perhaps because they don’t think it will affect them, but statistics show that they are the group most at risk of data leaks, breaches and cyberattacks.” The good news is that companies can reduce this risk by around 90% by taking
“There’s a lack of education around GDPR and cyber security – two related and hugely important issues for businesses. Many SMEs are intransigent to GDPR compliance, perhaps because they don’t think it will affect them, but statistics show that they are the group most at risk of data leaks, breaches and cyberattacks.”
18 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
simple precautions and following Cyber Essentials protocol. A good practice guide to looking after IT systems, Cyber Essentials was introduced by the government in 2014 to help businesses protect themselves against internet-based threats. Although many firms are still unaware of this or don’t know how to follow the protocol, Amdas is well placed to help. Daniel says: “Our GDPR-certified specialists can arrange for one of our experts to come into a business and assess the level of compliance with regulation through a series of questionnaires and interviews using a points system. They will then identify practical measures to ensure that the organisation is fully compliant with GDPR. “We can also help companies recruit the best data protection and cyber security professionals so their business remains robust enough to withstand potential cyberattacks. Cyber criminals will always look for the easy wins and opportunities created by new situations. If more people work from home due to the coronavirus, for example, are companies’ IT systems geared up for this? If data is sent unencrypted over the internet, or via unprotected telephony software, it could easily be intercepted by criminals.” Daniel has witnessed much change during his 28-year career in recruitment, although that wasn’t originally his career of choice. “I wanted to go into hotel management because I loved the idea of working with people,” he says. “I then fell into recruitment, which is also a customer-facing business, and I get great satisfaction from helping people on their career journey and understanding what makes them tick.”
Big Interview
Inside story Daniel Malkoun, Managing Director and Founding Director, Amdas: u Favourite food? Fish and chips u Favourite tipple? Real ale
“We can also help companies recruit the best data protection and cyber security professionals so their business remains robust enough to withstand potential cyberattacks. Cyber criminals will always look for the easy wins and opportunities created by new situations. If more people work from home due to the coronavirus, for example, are companies’ IT systems geared up for this?”
u Favourite holiday? Driving in France u Describe your family life? Hectic! u How do you spend your downtime? Playing golf u What are your key strengths as a manager? The ability to take a holistic view and remain calm u And your limitations? I’m always trying to do too much u Best thing about doing business in the borough? Dealing with real people u Famous person you’d most like to spend dinner with? Winston Churchill
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 19
Grown Up Recruitment Here at Amdas, we measure success by end results. These are the results we deliver to clients and candidates. Our results are generated by the four core values of our company culture. Each team member has been selected for their ability to work autonomously, take a logical approach, be open minded and to listen.
Let our experienced team help you. Client or a candidate, we can assure you that you will have one, consistent point of contact throughout your recruitment journey. Each Amdas consultant is a hands on, 360 recruiter. Each recruiter operates in their own niche sector. As a team, we operate on the principle that clients prefer one Key Account Manager (KAM). We have structured the business to this effect. Our sector specialists can resource in their given discipline using their market expertise, but will work in conjunction with your KAM. Therefore, if you have requirements outside of your KAM’s discipline, they will consult with another sector specialist. They will then utilise their specific knowledge to resource the most suitable candidates. In addition to our specialists, our team has the advantage of people joining through training programmes. These people have developed into niche specialists with the support of experienced consultants and the directors of Amdas who continue to manage the business and operate in their own recruitment specialisms. Candidates who register with us will benefit from our commitment to ascertaining their priorities and career ambitions. We cannot guarantee that we will always find them a job. However, we will do our utmost to assist them to secure the perfect role. We can assure you that you will receive honest advice, delivered by capable consultants whose skills have been honed through cyclical recruitment markets.
Delivering the best London talent
+44 (0) 203 814 3600
www.amdas.co.uk
Voice from Westminster
VOICE FROM WESTMINSTER
Supporting local businesses Neil Coyle MP Just two months ago in the last edition of Southwark Business Today I described how ‘we are living through a very turbulent period in the UK’ but no one could have begun to imagine the storm we were about to face. A storm so big that many people may not remember that, between now and then, the former Chancellor resigned just days before he was due to deliver his first Budget. It’s incredible how quickly our lives have been changed by the Covid-19 pandemic. I was gearing up to spend this year in Parliament closely scrutinising our trade deal with Europe but, instead, I am working to support local businesses and employees facing huge difficulties in danger due to the national emergency. That the Government is still resisting requests to extend the Brexit transition period when nearly every other aspect of human life across the planet is on hold reveals the extent to which the Brextremists still control Johnson and are quite prepared to ignore the practical needs of the UK economy. It should be inconceivable that a Government would put our economy at further risk by allowing trade barriers to be put up at a time when we could be facing a recession that dwarfs the financial crash of 2008. Ministers need to get pragmatic, and fast. After some pressure and bumps in the road, the Government has set out a degree of clarity and support for businesses,
but sadly it is too late or simply not enough for some. The large sums of additional aid for business grants, furloughed workers, some self-employed people, as well as the £330bn in Government-backed loans are a welcome lifeline if we are to weather this storm, but it’s regrettable this came after a week of dither and delay. Traders should never have been put in a position where their customers were being asked to avoid them whilst not being ordered to close and given adequate support or access to insurance cover. I know from correspondence that the delays and mixed messaging from Ministers added to the extremely stressful situation for many Southwark businesses. We are fortunate to have a proactive council. Southwark distributed £15m to local businesses in the first week of the crisis. I’m proud to represent a borough where our local council have shown the kind of decisive action that was required to help stop companies falling off the cliff edge. I am equally proud of the way businesses in Southwark have responded to the crisis by springing into action to help our community. From the butcher putting on free food
deliveries to people self-isolating, to the cycle shop giving three months’ free bike rental to NHS workers, these are the gestures that won’t be forgotten when the crisis is over. I have already been dealing with a large number of enquiries from local businesses and, if you are in Bermondsey & Old Southwark and require any assistance from me, please get in touch via: neil.coyle.mp@parliament.uk The council have also set up a dedicated business support desk that can be reached at: southwarkbusinessdesk@southwark.gov.uk
Grants for businesses that receive small business rates relief and for small businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector can be applied for directly at: www.southwark.gov.uk/retailgrantform and I would be more than happy to support any applications you submit. Together, we will get through this. In the meantime, please take care: heed the advice; keep staff working from home if at all possible; avoid unnecessary travel; and please keep looking out for neighbours and loved ones.
“We are fortunate to have a proactive council. Southwark distributed £15m to local businesses in the first week of the crisis. I’m proud to represent a borough where our local council have shown the kind of decisive action that was required to help stop companies falling off the cliff edge.”
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 21
Business Resilience
The world is facing the biggest health pandemic in living memory. The COVID-19 outbreak has caused chaos across the globe, with countries in lockdown, companies having to temporarily or permanently lay off staff, and the death count rising by the day. In Britain, businesses that don’t sell essential services, such as food or medical supplies, have been ordered to shut down and despite financial measures introduced by the government to protect jobs and incomes, there is huge uncertainty surrounding the state of the economy and how it will look in a few months’ time. While the health and economic consequences of COVID-19 have been played out often in the media, less attention has been given to the effect the pandemic is having on mental health and well-being. How do businesses and their staff increase and maintain their resilience so they’re in a better position to cope, both during the crisis and after it has passed?
Building resilience in challenging times
22 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
From a company’s point of view, it pays to remember that cash is king, especially in a challenging trading environment. Financially resilient firms with strong cash reserves can call upon them during this period of emergency, rather than taking out loans and other forms of debt which may carry high interest charges. Those without a lot of cash in the bank can focus on other practical measures to stem the outward flow of money, such as delaying payment of liabilities and conducting a business audit to see where further operational efficiencies and savings can be made. Throughout all of this, however, owner-managers need to look after the welfare of their staff as much as possible. With many avenues of social interaction cut off for the time being, it’s an unsettling time for workers who may be suffering from a sense of isolation. That’s why it’s so important that companies take steps to look after their employees’ mental health.
There are several practical ways in which they can do this. Keeping the lines of communication open is essential. Regular phone calls and contact via social media, What’s App or e-mail can help to alleviate that sense of isolation and make employees feel they’re still being valued. It can also help managers to identify staff who may be struggling and need extra assistance. Managers can also provide useful advice on how workers can protect themselves through basic hygiene such as handwashing, avoiding unnecessary travel and ensuring social distancing. Employees, too, can take steps to look after their own mental health and wellbeing. Focusing on something positive in the outside world – the sea, sunshine, the sounds of birds – can help to relax the mind. Meditation and breathing exercises can help them to control and manage stressful situations or even panic attacks. Joining a What’s App group to converse with work colleagues can also be beneficial. Staff wellbeing is often seen as a luxury or add-on, yet is fundamental for any business. Good wellbeing directly links to an increase in productivity, efficiency and effectiveness whilst increasing energy and motivation. It creates improved health, better concentration, problem-solving abilities and efficiency. In addition, relationships improve, which increases trust and co-operation between individuals and teams. In a perverse way, some businesses will be benefiting from the crisis; for example, those that provide healthcare services and medical products. Others, however, are quieter than usual and in some cases, have no work at all. Companies that fall into the latter category could use existing downtime to nurture client
Business Resilience relationships. With face-to-face contact at a premium in this new age of social distancing, companies can stay in touch with clients via Skype, Zoom and other digital channels. It’s unlikely to be the time to be aggressively pushing paid services, putting up prices or upselling to existing clients. This could be viewed as blatant profiteering, an idea that might work in the very short term but highly unlikely to prosper for long. Clients could even see this tactic as exploitative and resent it – and the last thing any company wants in an uncertain economic environment is to jeopardise a relationship with a client. How else can companies maintain their resilience in the COVID-19 crisis? They can keep abreast of the financial support available from the government and to stay flexible in a fast-evolving situation. Some businesses can also increase their resilience by fast-tracking the development of products and services that can help people deal with the current situation. The key for companies is to try to remain in the best possible shape so they can capitalise on new opportunities when trading finally returns to normal levels. When the pandemic is over, the borough of Southwark will still be home to some pioneering businesses intent on driving forward activity in key sectors such as engineering, manufacturing, arts and culture, leisure and hospitality.
These companies include The Bermondsey Square Hotel, a 90-room boutique venue that attracts dozens of tourists, business travellers, foodies and fashionistas to stay in the heart of the area’s thriving, up-and-coming cultural, leisure and retail scene. Meanwhile, Queen Mary Venues offers more than 100 venues – including the iconic Victorian Octagon, a former library with triple height book-lined shelves, and the theatre-style Great Hall – for hire in four locations across the City of London, Mile End and Whitechapel. These companies, and many others in Southwark, will be BSH_SouthwarkBusinessAwards_Advert_1_200319.indd around to serve local residents and businesses long after the coronavirus has passed. While the coming months will undoubtedly be challenging, the strength and tenacity that characterise the borough’s business community will hold local firms in good stead in the long run.
‘When the pandemic is over, the borough of Southwark will still be home to some pioneering businesses intent on driving forward activity in key sectors such as engineering, manufacturing, arts and culture, leisure and hospitality.’
Queen Mary Venues
1
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Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 23
Cornish bread and Bermondsey Bees
Trivet, the new high-end restaurant in Snowsfields By Susan Isaacs Arts and Culture Correspondent An iron tripod adorns the outside wall of this stylish restaurant in Snowsfields, a stone’s throw from the art galleries and craft shops of Bermondsey St. The restaurant takes its name from this triangular cooking utensil, which is called a trivet. Just stand your kettles and cooking pots on a trivet over the fire and stew delicious blends of all sorts of foods. Chef Jonny Lake, and Sommelier Isa Bal certainly had this in mind when they opened this high-end restaurant just months ago. As you enter the restaurant light floods in from the vast streetfacing windows. The simple quality of everything strikes you at once. The wine glasses on the table are satisfyingly deep and glowing. The hexagonal
Chicken with a Vinegar Sauce
wooden tiles on the floor form a beautiful understated pattern, and the white plates on the tables highlight the food to come. On one wall lies a collection of cooking utensils. There is a charming copper kettle with a curly handle and set of antique scales where the weights on one side balance the tray on another. An intriguing map on the wine menu shows where the wines are from. There are over 350 types from classic wine producing countries like France and Italy, as well as wines from Georgia, Armenia, and Turkey. The Greek sommelier had a lovely story to tell. An American doctor changed the course of the wine industry when his wife was pregnant. Until a few years ago you could only buy house wines by the glass - the more expensive wines would linger untasted in
Artichoke, salsify and autumn truffle
24 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
bottles because it was not worth opening them. The doctor grew frustrated that he could not give his wife just one glass and invented a device called a Coravin that enabled you to extract a glass at a time. We certainly made the most of this and I revelled in a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon. For starters I had veal sweetbreads, raw mushroom and cumin and my dining partner ate artichoke, sourdough broth and black truffle. The truffles were particularly mouth-watering. My main course was poached and roasted duck, with melon. The duck was from Devon and the melon was superbly dark fermented, and my dining partner sampled a vegetarian option, the grilled celeriac, freekeh and dill. We finished it off with rhubarb, pistachio and mint and delightful
Sour cream and onion Puffini, caviar and mirin sabayon
Pettit fours adorned with honey, fresh from local Bermondsey bees. It is the detail of the basics that makes this restaurant outstanding. There is a secret recipe for the delicious bread which comes from Cornwall, and the butter is cultured with Kefir, which makes it delicious and gives a rich yellow colour. You can sample snacks at the bar for a modest price, for example there is fried polenta with Gorgonzola and grated black truffle at £8.50 or a Castelfranco radicchio salad £4.50 and wines at £5 a glass. But if you want the works, the food does not come cheap, perhaps £70 - £80 per head for a three-course meal. But it is outstanding. Save this restaurant for a very special occasion, the atmosphere is relaxing, the staff are enthusiastic, and the food is superb.
Hokkaido Potato Millefeuille
Plant Swapping and Vampire Hours Lunch at Albie restaurant, The Hoxton - Southwark By Susan Isaacs Arts and Culture Correspondent It might seem ridiculous to be writing a restaurant review in these surreal times. The closest you will now get to sharing a meal with a mate, is sticking a coffee icon up on your video conferencing screen. But, when things get back to normal, remember The Hoxton Hotel in Southwark.
The hotel was newly built from the ground up in September and looks out from a height of fourteen floors, over the former industrial heartland of glassblowing, tannery, and distillery factories. The two restaurants are Albie, an all-day dining eatery, and Seabird, a rooftop restaurant, with London’s longest oyster list. As you enter the building the warm colours and the sheer informality of the place strike you at once.
There are modern brick effect walls, black and white tiled floors and large green plants which lead straight into Albie. Stylish chandeliers throw a soft light on the marble topped tables and wooden chairs, and brown leather sofas. You feel compelled to sit down at once.
of Rockstar’s, there a painting of a child swimming in the sea.
The walls are studded with an intriguing jumble of paintings in different styles, here a drawing of a hand, there a photo of a band
We munched our way through luscious focaccia, steak and chips, potatoes delectably browned and rumpled, and salmon with noodles, the skin deliciously crusty. The desserts were a treat. If you opted for a selection you had a dazzling assortment of tiny lemon tarts with meringue, mini pear and almond tarts, and baby sized opera gateau.
It provides fabulous co-working facilities for freelancers and two lovely restaurants to feed them. It is places like this that will, when this cruel virus war is over, kick start the economy, and get us all back to earning a proper living again. The Hoxton offers ingenious options called Working from Southwark. You can choose to be a Desk Hopper at £200 per month or a Side Hustler at £75 if you work Vampire Hours after 5.30 and at the weekend. Not only that, they include a wellness studio to stretch your limbs, a library for books, a pantry for nibbles, and meeting rooms for everything from Press Launches to Plant Swapping meetings. Just imagine, you can exchange business tips and cacti, at the same time.
‘The two restaurants are Albie, an all-day dining eatery, and Seabird, a rooftop restaurant, with London’s longest oyster list. As you enter the building the warm colours and the sheer informality of the place strike you at once.’
In the background the chefs in blue striped aprons and hats calmly prepare the food in an open bar and the result is delightful and unpretentious.
My lunch companion is a surveyor and was impressed by the quality of the building work. The real give away, I was told, is the quality of the loos. A quick trip to the facilities did not disappoint. They were beautifully and evenly tiled in dark green rectangles, with a black and white diamond tile effect on the floor. Upstairs are the wonderful working rooms with cream sofas and desks with every plug you could demand. But it says a lot for the quality of the hotel that I’d be happy to answer my WhatsApp messages in the loos any day.
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 25
Equality & Diversity
Why supporting diversity and equality makes good business sense One of the biggest challenges facing businesses, including those in Southwark, is the need to ensure that their workforces represent the communities they serve - and that means championing equality and diversity. A major survey has underlined the point, suggesting that diversity is particularly important to the generation that will inherit the business world, both in the workplace and when making their purchasing choices. According to the study, compiled for office brokering service Instant Offices, millennials (generation Y) will make up approximately 75% of the worldwide workforce by 2025, occupying a growing number of leadership roles – and 74% of this generation believe that businesses are more innovative when the culture is more inclusive. About half of all millennial jobseekers say that they are prioritising a culture of diversity and inclusion when choosing prospective employers, based on companies’ attitude to things like gender issues. According to Instant Offices, the treatment of women in the workplace is very important to younger people. The researchers say that studies show that 40% of people believe that men are likely to be hired over women, while further research shows that men are also 30% more likely to be promoted to a managerial position with many earning more than women.
• Reduced employee turnover: Companies that are dedicated to building a diverse workforce benefit from better employee retention and higher employee engagement
In 2018, the Earned Brand Report, which covered markets in the UK, USA, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India and Japan, revealed: • 1 in 2 people today will choose, change or boycott brands based on their stance on specific social issues • Almost two-thirds of US shoppers are belief-driven buyers • 65% will decide not to support a brand that stays silent on a topic they believe it is obligated to address • Japan saw the most significant year-on-year growth in belief-driven buying, with a 21% increase. This was closely followed by the UK, with 20% year-on-year growth
• Better company reputation: A diverse and inclusive workplace can boost a company’s reputation and brand, making the company more ‘human’ and socially responsible.
Further studies have also revealed that companies with a diversity performance that is above average see, on average, a 45% increase in innovation, while those who are below average see a 26% increase in comparison.
• Encourage conversations around diversity and continuously look for ways to address any lack of diversity within your company
Other advantages of having a diverse workforce, says the report, include: • Increased creativity: People from different backgrounds tend to have different perspectives and experiences, creating a melting pot of new ideas
About half of all millennial jobseekers say that the way a company deals with LGBTQ issues is also important. Research from Engagement Labs, quoted in their study by Instant Offices, shows growing support for both the online and offline success of brands which support the LGBTQ community. Indeed, says Instant Offices, ‘belief-driven buying’ has gone mainstream, with 60% of consumers wanting brands to make it easier for them to see their values and positions on important issues.
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According to the Instant Offices report, there are a few ways that companies can ensure a diverse and tolerant environment: • Ensure there is a diverse pool of candidates when interviewing for positions
• Work towards creating a workplace culture where people from all backgrounds feel comfortable and safe • Look for ways to partner with other companies that are known for diverse leadership.
“About half of all millennial jobseekers say that the way a company deals with LGBTQ issues is also important. Research from Engagement Labs, quoted in their study by Instant Offices, shows growing support for both the online and offline success of brands which support the LGBTQ community.”
Equality & Diversity
More than half of female UK entrepreneurs ‘experience gender bias’ Research published by HSBC Private Banking reveals that half of female entrepreneurs in the UK believe that they experience gender bias when raising capital for their business. According to the report, when pitching for investment female entrepreneurs say they are asked questions about their family circumstances (44%), their credibility as business leaders and their attitude to loss prevention (41%). The research found large differences across markets with female entrepreneurs in the UK saying that they experience the highest levels of gender bias, followed by the USA. Last year, the Federation of Small Businesses found that women-owned and led businesses contributed £221 billion to the
UK economy. However, women say they are still being held back when it comes to raising capital. HSBC’s research found that 70% of UK female entrepreneurs said they found raising capital the most challenging part of the process; more than half (53%) of female founders are denied funding, and those that secure it, receive 6% less than their male counterparts. This gender imbalance is also reflected in the make up of pitch panels. Although the UK has the most all-women investor panels (13%), it also has the lowest percentage of mixed panels (47%) across all markets.
Despite the pressures of raising capital, the UK’s female founders are determined to succeed. The research shows that they are the second most confident entrepreneurs globally behind mainland China. Kirsty Moore, Managing Director at HSBC UK Private Banking in the UK, said: “It is concerning that half of female entrepreneurs in this country have experienced bias when trying to raise capital for their businesses. This research shows how far we have to go to level the playing field for women to fulfil their ambitions.”
Victoria Peppiatt, UK entrepreneur and co-founder of Phrasee, said: “This report shows the barriers female entrepreneurs face when trying to grow businesses. It’s important that institutions with the capacity to bring about change, like HSBC, continue to highlight these issues and draw attention to the ways in which gender bias can be overcome. Mixed panels, more access to networking opportunities and a commitment from investors to review their investment choices are just some of the ways we can achieve more parity.”
“HSBC’s research found that 70% of UK female entrepreneurs said they found raising capital the most challenging part of the process; more than half (53%) of female founders are denied funding, and those that secure it, receive 6% less than their male counterparts.”
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Remembering when...
Remembering when... other global Pandemic’s caused death and economic recessions, back in our history By Ken Hayes - Honorary Membership Secretary
28 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
Remembering when...
We can trace the history of pandemic diseases, which were called Plagues then. The first recorded one was called the Antonine Plague which happened between 165-180 AD and killed around 5million people in the Roman Empire. It is believed that they occurred many times during the growth of the human population in previous centuries. The good thing about virus diseases is that the human body builds up anti-bodies that make it immune to that virus. The worst thing is that people who have other underlying health problems are unlikely to survive even with good medical care. The worst pandemic was the Bubonic Plague, commonly called the Black Death, in the 12th Century. This killed 200 million word wide between 1347 and 1351, as the virus was carried from country to country by ship rats and sailors. Today our health service is better able to look after the vulnerable in our communities and prevent
a lot of deaths. In 1520 there was a Smallpox Pandemic that killed 56 million. In 1665 the Bubonic/Black Plague came back to the UK and was rampant in London where it killed 100,000 people. It was followed in the next year by the Great Fire of London, causing more loss of life and huge destruction of buildings and businesses. This led to the widening of the streets and a change in the construction of buildings from wood to stone. There were a series of Plagues in the 17th and 18th Centuries which had a combined total of 3.5 million deaths. In the 19th Century there were two plagues Cholera and a third Black plague
outbreak killing over 13 million world wide. The Spanish flu which started in 1917 and continued after WW1 until 1919 killed 50 million, more than died in the WW1. The Hong Kong flu in 1968 killed one million. HIV/AIDS which broke out in 1981 had a death toll of 25-35 million. In this century we have had less serious pandemics, SARS 2002, Ebola 2014 and MERS 2015 together they accounted for only 12,600 lives. Pandemics cause economic down turns leading to Recession as panic sets into Financial Markets. This has already happened in the current Pandemic.
“The measures the UK Government has introduced will lessen the effects of the recession and so that when the virus runs its course, our economy can bounce back quicker than in other recessions.”
The measures the UK Government has introduced will lessen the effects of the recession and so that when the virus runs its course, our economy can bounce back quicker than in other recessions. There is a history of the people of the British Isles bouncing back from a crisis like this one. By picking ourselves up dusting ourselves down and rebuilding our lives and businesses. How we conduct our lives may change, for example, more people may work from home rather than commuting to work, Robotics and A.I. will become more common place and more people will shop on-line. If we all work together in our own communities, we will beat this virus and emerge stronger when it is over. In a few years’ time the Corona virus, or to give it is scientific name, Covid-19 virus, will have become a distant memory.
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bodytonic clinic
Working from home? How to optimise your work space and improve your posture during COVID-19 By Bethany Elliott With lockdown being implemented across the country many people are having to work from home for the foreseeable future. Consequently many of you are having to choose between working from your sofa, bed, kitchen table or even the floor. Maintaining good posture and routine as you work from home will be essential in combating the stresses and strains that can arise from working from home. Luckily there are many creative and cheap ways to alter your home set-up to make it more posture friendly. So here are 6 top tips on how to optimise your work space and improve your comfort when working from home: ● Elevate your laptop: Ideally the top of the screen should be raised to eye level to help maintain good posture. This can be done using a laptop stand or even old books and boxes. Elevating your laptop screen will automatically cue you to lift your head and neck into an upright position and
help reduce the stress added to the muscles on the back of your neck. ● Use a separate keyboard and mouse: With your laptop screen higher, you may now find that your mouse and keyboard are too high and your shoulders are elevated. For this reason, it is really worth investing in a separate keyboard and mouse. ● Modify your chair: To maintain good posture try sitting on a chair with a sturdy back support like a dining room chair. For added support and for those with low back pain, roll up a small towel and place it at the bottom of your back. Make sure your hips are towards the back of the chair and your feet are flat on the ground. If your feet are not touching the ground use a stool, some old books or a box. Place a firm cushion on your chair to ensure that your hips are slightly higher than your knees and try not to sit in a twisted position or cross legged.
● Change working positions: Staying in the same position throughout the day is not good for your body. These days it’s popular in the workplace to have adjustable desks that can be used in both standing and sitting positions. For a DIY standing desk, why not try using an ironing board. Do make sure that the ironing board can take the weight of your laptop and make-shift laptop stand.
In addition to this try to stand tall and don’t slouch. Another way to ensure you are changing working positions is to use phone calls as an opportunity to stand up and pace around your room.
● Take regular breaks: In order to maintain good posture and avoid the onset of aches and pains it’s a really
good idea to take regular breaks from your work. One great tip is to set an alarm for every 30-45 minutes to take a quick 3-5-minute break. Stand up, stretch, go to the toilet or make yourself a cup of tea! Do something that will take you away from your computer screen. This will also give your eyes a rest and allow you to refocus. ● Keep moving: Regular exercise is key in maintaining a healthy body and mind. With new laws enforced due to the COVID-19 outbreak, one form of exercises a day is permitted. Utilise this time to change settings from your work space. Go for a gentle run, walk or cycle or set up an exercise mat and participate in one of the many free online yoga and Pilates classes.
For more information on how to effectively work from home please feel free to contact bodytonic clinic at bodytonicclinic.co.uk and one of our team members will be happy to answer any of your questions.
10-11 Dock Offices, Surrey Quays Road, London, SE16 2XU.
0203 6060 490
bodytonicclinic.co.uk
30 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
Canada Water, Stratford and Wapping
Health & Wellbeing
Ways to improve well-being while staying safe How workers can stay happy and mentally well-balanced in these uncertain times…
On Friday, March 20 the UK government took the unprecedented step of urging the British public to stay at home and ordering all bars, restaurants, sports clubs and gyms to close for the foreseeable future to slow down the spread of the deadly coronavirus. People who experience any of the COVID-19 symptoms - a persistent cough or fever, for example - have been told they must self-isolate for a period of time. These instructions from the government were entirely understandable, with the death toll from the virus rising on a daily basis. However, it has forced everybody to recalibrate their way of life, to commit to doing things differently until the threat of the virus has passed. Many workers are now doing their day jobs from the comfort of their own home, elderly people and those with underlying health conditions are sensibly staying indoors to avoid infection, and much of the public are using Skype, social media and other forms of communication to keep in touch with their friends and loved ones. Some people will cope with making these adjustments but for others it will inevitably have an adverse impact on their mental health and well-being – especially if they live on their own.
However, there are several measures that they can take to maintain a positive mood. • Support groups such as Mind (www.mind.org.uk) are available to provide advice and guidance online or over the phone • Maintaining good physical health during quarantine or isolation is key to keeping mentally well. Walking, running or cycling outside can help, although stay a safe distance (at least two metres) away from others. Yoga is also a great stress-buster and can be done at home. For those needing additional guidance on specific poses, there are several decent videos on YouTube • Take regular breaks from social media. Various social channels are rife with rumours and misinformation about the virus. Stick to official sources of information, such as the World Health Organisation website https://www.who.int/ • Video calls with friends and loved ones can be a great way of lifting the mood and reducing loneliness • Join an online community. These forums are places where people can make new friends, get inspired and chat about things they’re really
passionate about, such as a charitable cause, a particular sport or television programmes. For those who like music, British choirmaster, composer and TV presenter Gareth Malone has launched a digital choir, The Great British Home Chorus, to bring together amateur and professional performers around the UK by encouraging them to sing with others online • Learn some meditation and mindfulness techniques. There are several apps such as Headspace that offer tips to alleviate anxiety and stress and get people in a positive frame of mind • Practise the art of planning. Often, poor mental health can result from drifting aimlessly from one hour to the next. While life will be different for the next few months and normal routines may be disrupted, take some time to write down the key tasks that need to be achieved that day. Remember to build in time for little treats, such as exercise or a glass of wine in the evening. Planning gives a structure and sense of order to the day ahead • Above all, reach out. Those who are struggling can pick up the phone to a friend or family member if the sense of isolation gets too much
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COVID-19 Coronavirus update The government have directed all leisure activities to temporarily close. We want to do our bit to try and curb the spread of the Coronavirus, and although it saddens us to have to postpone adventures, we feel it is the right thing to do at this time.
But we will be back! As soon as it is deemed safe our forest doors will be open again and we will be ready to welcome you.
Until then, we hope you and your families stay well through these challenging times. You can find more information in our FAQs or, if you have further questions, please email
questions@goape.co.uk
News
Road user charging schemes suspended
Retention scheme for London’s bus drivers
Around 20,000 London bus drivers could receive a retention payment of up to £1,600 as part of plans to ensure the capital’s transport network continues to be served by a skilled and highly dedicated workforce.
The initiative has been proposed by mayor of London Sadiq Khan, whose father was a bus driver. Under the plans, bus drivers will receive a payment of £1,000 after completing two years of service and will be eligible for a further £600 after their third year. Drivers who have already completed three years’ service when the scheme comes into effect will be entitled to £1,600 in a single payment. In the long term, improved retention will mean less money will need to be spent by bus operators on recruiting and training new staff.
Operators in London have reported that retention of bus drivers is becoming increasingly challenging. Figures show bus drivers in the capital are most likely to leave their job in their first two years in the profession, with some of London’s largest operators reporting a 30 per cent average staff turnover within this timeframe. Bus companies in the capital have also said that Brexit and the weak pound are making it more difficult to recruit new drivers from abroad. Sadiq Khan said: “I’m really proud to launch this new reward and retention initiative which, along with my minimum
professional London bus driver’s wage and ‘Licence for London’ schemes, will help us to retain more experienced bus drivers and deliver a better service for passengers and drivers alike.” Claire Mann, director of bus operations at Transport for London (TfL), said: “Buses are vital to this city, and their drivers are crucial to ensuring Londoners can reliably, safely and comfortably get around. Service reliability is impacted by high staff turnover, so this scheme from the mayor of London will not only benefit the drivers themselves but will also help improve service reliability for customers.”
Creatives required to work on Bermondsey community murals Artist and designers have been encouraged to get involved in a scheme to revitalise Bermondsey. The Made in Bermondsey area regeneration programme designs for Market Place have been finalised and subject to approval and the works are set to begin in August 2020. The programme partners are now focusing on improvements to the shops and streetscape in the locality. Amongst the enhancements, there are plans for two community murals/artworks at St James Rd and John Bull railway arches – locations that are considered important gateways to the high street. The aim of the completed commission is to present a celebration of the area’s rich historic heritage, drawing inspiration and responding to the local community and its evolving demographic and providing an engaging and intriguing
welcome for those living, working or visiting Blue Bermondsey. Creative professionals including artists and designers have been invited to submit their ideas on how the murals should look. Made in Bermondsey is a community scheme that was launched after project partners, led by Blue Bermondsey Business Improvement District (BID) and Southwark Council, were successful in securing £2m of capital funding from the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund. Locally based Turner prize-winning collective, Assemble, alongside Hayatsu Architects were appointed to deliver the programme. The transformations will be centred on the marketplace and will include improvements to shops and streetscape in the locality.
Transport for London (TfL) has announced a temporary suspension of all road user charging schemes in the capital. The move is designed to ensure London’s critical workers, particularly those in the NHS, are able to travel round London as easily as possible during the coronavirus emergency. It also aims to support the supply chain, the effort to keep supermarkets fully stocked and the city’s continued operation. To keep the public transport network running TfL has reduced the number of stations open and is ensuring they are appropriately staffed. For some critical workers, in the current circumstances, driving to work will be the simplest option, which is why the charges have been lifted. To further support vital hospital staff getting into work during these challenging times, NHS workers will be given a code that waives the 24-hour access fee for Santander Cycles, meaning any journey under 30 minutes is free. In addition to free access, docking stations near hospitals are being prioritised to ensure there is a regular supply of bikes for medical staff to use. The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “People should not be travelling, by any means, unless they really have to. London’s roads should now only be used for essential journeys. To help our critical workers get to work and for essential deliveries to take place, I have instructed TfL to temporarily suspend the Congestion Charge, ULEZ and Low Emission Zone. “This is not an invitation to take to your cars. To save lives we need the roads clear for ambulances, doctors, nurses and other critical workers.” Paul Cowperthwaite, TfL’s general manager of road user charging, said: “What we are seeing through this crisis is that London’s critical workforce is wider than just the core emergency services. Emergency services workers are absolutely fundamental to our response, but supermarket workers, utilities engineers, refuse collectors and many more also need to be able to travel to keep the city functioning. This is why we have temporarily suspended road user charging in the capital.”
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Join Us
Join Us The Chamber is made up of active and successful business people from a wide range of sectors, who are based in Southwark, believe in Southwark and wish Southwark to prosper.
Making the most of your SCC membership Successfully helping Southwark Businesses for 95 Years
Our Committee Chairman Les Johnson President Neil Coyle MP
(MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark)
Vice President Lord Roy Kennedy (House of Lords)
Vice President Rt Hon Harriet Harman QC MP
Once you’ve joined us you have access to the opportunities we provide to help support you and your business. Whether you simply want to attend our networking events, run a seminar or sponsor or run an event, we’d love you to get involved. We like our members to make the most of their membership and get as involved as much as they can.
Membership Application • • • • •
Sole trader £100 per annum Small/Medium sized companies 2 to 50 employees £150 per annum Large companies - 51 employees plus £300 per annum Corporate/PLC’s by agreement. All new members pay a one off administration fee of £25 Company:
(MP for Camberwell and Peckham)
Patron The Worshipful Mayor of Southwark Patron Sir Simon Hughes
Address:
(Former MP)
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Council and Community Representative Councillor Stephanie Cryan
Telephone:
(Cabinet Member for Jobs, Business and Innovation)
Email:
Executive Members
Vice Chair Peter Mantell Vice Chair Richard Kalmar Honorary Membership Secretary Ken Hayes Honorary Treasurer Karon Cook Diversity and Inclusion Shade Abdul Events Emily Bentley-Leek Corporate Membership Edward Cree Membership Katharine Glass / Claire Shore Employment/ Apprenticeships William Harwood Publicity Susan Isaacs Small Business Parminder Kanda Tourism and Leisure James Kislingbury Education Sarah Moore-Williams Welfare Cait Wilkinson Administrator Sonia Sutton
Number of Employees: Full Name: Position: Payment Details: BANK DETAILS: Handelsbanken SORT CODE: 40-51-62 ACCOUNT NO: 76489843
To join, please send your details to:
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Southwark Chamber of Commerce 169 Walworth Road, London SE17 1RW Tel : 07477 581977 Email : admin@southwarkcommerce.com www.SouthwarkCommerce.com Twitter : @southwarkcomm Facebook : southwarkcommerce
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