Royal Borough of Greenwich launches new Inclusive Economy Strategy Support for night-time workers in Greenwich

2. Place

3. Prosperity

Two cross-cutting themes – tackling inequality and green growth – have been identified as an important thread which runs throughout this strategy.

Within each theme is a detailed action plan and priorities such as jobs, education and training, tackling climate change, improving town centres, delivering affordable workspace and housing that people can afford, enabling transport and infrastructure and much more.

Download the strategy at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/Inclusive-Economy-Strategy

To find out more email michelle.rankin@royalgreenwich.gov.uk

“This strategy redoubles our efforts ensuring that all our residents, local businesses, social enterprises, co-operative and community organisations can contribute and benefit from the opportunities that come from a successful economy.”

Councillor Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich

Blossoming partnerships and business support in focus at the Greenwich Business Breakfast

Over 130 local businesses, entrepreneurs and business support providers came together in May for a buzzing Royal Greenwich Business Breakfast.

This kicks off a series of informal networking events which will be held by the Council four times per year for businesses in Royal Greenwich.

Attendees heard enlightening presentations by a series of the Council’s business providers about the programmes on offer, including:

• GLL’s Business Start Up and Resilience for aspiring entrepreneurs

• South East Enterprise e-business courses helping businesses to grow their online presence.

• Supply Chain Support helping SMEs identify and access opportunities that arise from new developments and bid on contracts.

• CNT Associates’ Generative Business Programme supporting businesses with a social or environmental purpose.

• Grow London Local’s one-stop platform for SMEs to find out about all the support available nationally, regionally and locally.

• London Living Wage Council grants supporting businesses to become Living Wage Employers.

The first business breakfast received really positive feedback from attendees for showing the huge range and quality of support on offer. We look forward to the next event!

Read more at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/business-breakfast

Want to keep up to date with the latest business news from the Royal Borough of Greenwich? Sign up to receive our monthly newsletter at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/business-newsletter

Almost a third of Greenwich’s working population work at night, and this number is set to increase as London becomes even more of a 24-hour city. But numerous studies have shown that working at night presents a distinct set of challenges, including health issues, more precarious work and low pay compared to daytime occupations, with many earning below the London Living Wage.

Our new Night Worker Handbook provides a directory of support for all residents and people who work in the borough at night-time. It forms part of the Council’s wider work to create an inclusive night-time economy in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. This includes developing a night-time strategy which supports a thriving night-time economy across the whole borough and balances people’s different needs at night. Support for the working conditions and welfare of night workers was one of the key objectives of the Mayor of London’s Night Time Enterprise Zone (NTEZ) initiative. This designation, secured by the Council, was aimed at boosting the night economy in Woolwich. Throughout 2023, the NTEZ enabled the Council to host Woolwich Lates, a programme of 29 free culture, fitness, food and market events animating the town centre after 6pm. Alongside boosting activity and businesses in the evening, and making the high street more welcoming and inclusive for a range of people after 6pm, a crucial aim of the NTEZ was increasing the number of night workers that benefit from good work standards.

The handbook forms part of this effort, signposting night workers to support available from the Council and local services and specialist advice to support good health and wellbeing.

Download the handbook at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/night-worker-handbook