3 minute read
Focus on Lewisham
Meet faceto-face with
local buyers in Lewisham
Are you looking for public sector contract opportunities in Lewisham? The Council encourages local small to mediumsized businesses, third sector and voluntary organisations to attend its Meet The Buyer event, which takes place on Thursday 10 November 2022, 9.00am – 2.00pm at Goldsmiths, University of London.
This is a great opportunity to meet face-to-face with construction contractors and local buyers from the Lewisham Deal partnership - including Lewisham Council, Lewisham Homes and Phoenix Community Housing; to learn how to look for public sector contracts; and to increase your chances of placing winning bids. This is a free event which will include talks from industry experts and local success stories, plus presentations, workshops, panel discussions and amazing networking opportunities.
Places are limited so please book in advance by contacting business@lewisham.gov.uk
Business rates discounts
Lewisham Council has almost doubled the number of Living Wage employers in the borough from 47 to 86, in the past four years alone. With Living Wage Week approaching, it is encouraging even more local employers to cover the costs of living in the Capital for their workers.
Lewisham businesses who pay their employees the London Living Wage report significant benefits, including more motivated and productive staff. The Council is offering a business rates discount of up to £6,000 for local businesses who become accredited Living Wage employers in the current financial year.
For more information on becoming a Living Wage employer, please visit the Lewisham Council website
A new service for Lewisham’s
entrepreneurs
Do you run a Lewisham-based start-up or established business? Are you an aspiring entrepreneur, with a great business idea you’d like to get off the ground? Then BIPC Lewisham is here to provide the support you need.
BIPC Lewisham is a great, new service for local entrepreneurs at whichever stage they’re at in their business journey – from start-up ventures, to inventors and anyone with a business idea. This community-focussed programme helps local people build the skills and confidence they need to start and grow successful businesses or charities.
The new service, which is based at Catford Library, launched in September and is run as a partnership between Lewisham Council and the British Library’s Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC). It follows on from Start-ups in London Libraries (SiLL) – a successful grantfunded programme which ended in 2021 that established Lewisham Libraries as go-to places for business support and information. From understanding the vital role of trademarks and patents to business research on customers, markets and industries, plus workshops to develop practical skills in business, BIPC Lewisham will provide the help and support that small businesses and entrepreneurs around the borough need. Cllr Kim Powell, Cabinet Member for Businesses, Jobs and Skills, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support and inspire our thriving business community by offering insights and access to free resources, training and events to transform the way ideas grow into successful businesses.” “BIPC Lewisham is a great boost to the business provision we already offer in the borough. We’re delighted to be able to give this valuable support to all the local entrepreneurs who need a little help and advice to make sure their businesses have the absolute best chance of success.”
Cllr James J Walsh, Cabinet Member for Culture, said: “It’s fantastic to be part of the BIPC network and to build on the success of the SiLL programme. Our libraries are at the heart of our communities and have long been places that local business owners could go to access support - this is even more important post-pandemic. “BIPC Lewisham is based at the new Catford Library – it’s a welcoming space with free access to PCs, desks, Wi-Fi, equipment for content creation, and lots of excellent business resources. Our 24-hour eLibrary gives access to a wide range of books, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers and more. So please head down to a library, speak to the staff and take advantage of this brilliant programme.”
