2 minute read
Bromley businesses thrive with host of support available
A range of free business support programmes, kickstarted by £400k of UK Shared Prosperity Funding from Government, gives Bromley entrepreneurs varied opportunities to help launch new ventures or upgrade their businesses to the next level.
Start Up Bromley is one scheme that has been successfully supporting a thriving business community since 2021 through local libraries, with three business lounges across the borough and regular expert-led workshops available.
Over 640 businesses have been supported so far through the scheme, with over 1,000 hours of support provided. This programme continues to develop and is now connected with the British Library’s Business and IP Centre services, partnering with Start Up schemes in other London boroughs.
A celebration of this success came through the third annual Start Up Business Week events this summer, where aspiring Bromley entrepreneurs were treated to over 12 forward thinking business events on topics such as social media, pricing strategies, team building, and business planning.
Alongside Start Up Bromley, a wider Bromley Business Growth programme has also been established, which is delivering a range of specialist support streams with partner organisations to support local enterprise.
The Growth Builder programme is one key aspect, providing free assistance to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It provides support with digital transformation, strategic marketing, mastering social media and much more. A tailored mix of expert-led workshops, mentoring, academic support and online resources helps local businesses to overcome challenges to their growth.
The newly launched Greener Bromley Scheme is an exciting new programme to support businesses with understanding and addressing their environmental impacts. The pilot is taking an initial group of businesses through the steps needed to achieve a fully funded and internationally recognised Environmental Accreditation, certified by Green Mark.
Further exciting opportunities are available with the Supply Bromley programme, through which Newable are providing expert skills and knowledge to SMEs around supply chains and public sector procurement, to help those involved reach local or national buyers and anchor institutions. Free bespoke advice from expert business advisers and opportunities to meet new potential buyers at exclusive 'Meet the Buyer' events prove invaluable to those involved as they look to take their businesses to the next level.
The Bromley Business Hub continues to link all of this support together with a range of online resources, providing local information. It also includes guidance for employers on best practice, called Good Work Bromley; as well as for operating in the night time economy. The hub also acts as a valuable tool for local businesses to help them to advertise, recruit, learn, and network with other businesses in the borough.
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing said: “I want to ensure Bromley is a borough that encourages ambition for enterprise and where businesses get the support they need to start up, develop and thrive. The Bromley Business Growth programme provides businesses with the support to do that.”
Find out more at www.bromley.gov.uk/BromleyBusinessGrowth