Westminster
Business
Handbook
Information and support for your business
2015-2016
Westminster City Council Westminster City Hall 64 Victoria Street London SW1E 6QP
westminster.gov.uk/business @CityWestminster
Business Handbook
Contents
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Business rates
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Council services
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Promote your business
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Business support
westminster.gov.uk/business
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Your guide to business rates, how to pay, e-billing and more
From commercial waste to licensing, find the council services available for your business
Discover new, low-cost opportunities to promote your business
The organisations and services in Westminster that can help your business succeed
Get involved in the community Find ways to create links with your local community
Introduction Dear business rate payer, The economic health of the UK and of Westminster are inextricably linked.
In June 2014 the SohoCreate festival, which we co-founded, brought together 1,000 key people from the cultural and media industries. We are planning to make the event even bigger in 2015, further emphasising the international status of this sector which clusters at the heart of the West End.
Businesses based in Westminster together contribute more to the UK economy than those in any other local authority, reflected in our Gross Value Added of some ÂŁ55.7 billion in 2014. We have 665,000 people employed here and a more diverse range of businesses This year we will continue to make the case than any other city in the UK, with nearly for a fairer financial deal for Westminster 7,000 start-ups a year. from the government, adding our voice to the case for business rate reform. Ensuring that Westminster works well for Our procurement team will continue to business is crucial and a core part of our engage with small businesses to improve programme for governing the city. Over the opportunities to supply goods and services coming year we want to work more closely to the council. with you to make sure that the council rises to this challenge. Finally, we will ensure that the voice of business is heard across the council by We want to help businesses of whatever size strengthening our numerous partnerships and scale flourish in this city, benefiting the with business organisations, including the economy, community, creating local jobs Business Improvement Districts. We will also and skilling up the local workforce. We want be setting up a ‘Business Concierge’ service to make it easier for businesses to interact to help businesses to navigate their way with the council when they need to and to through our services. see us as a partner to help them grow and develop, not simply regulate and refuse. Westminster City Council is here for you. If you have any ideas or feedback please contact In 2015 we will continue to work with the West me at any time using the details below. End Partnership on new plans to encourage and support small businesses to grow and remain in the heart of the capital. We are extending our successful Recruit London jobs brokerage scheme which provides employers with a free recruitment service and helps residents secure jobs in the centre Councillor Daniel Astaire of London. Our Growth Deal pilot with other Cabinet Member for Housing, central London boroughs is piloting new Regeneration, Business and ways to support the unemployed. Last year Economic Development we supported 600 local people to get into business@westminster.gov.uk work through our schemes.
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Business rates Non-domestic rates, otherwise known as business rates, is the tax levied on non-domestic properties. Westminster City Council collects around £1.8 billion in business rates each year from its 35,000 non-domestic properties. However the council currently only retains a small proportion, around £74 million or 4%. The majority goes to central government, whilst 20% is passed to the Greater London Authority.
View and pay your business rates online It’s quick and easy to view your business rates balance online. The most convenient way to pay is by direct debit and you can apply online at westminster.gov.uk/paying-your-business-rates You can also pay online using your debit card, over the phone or by bank transfer. If you’re new to Westminster, or moving out, let us know online. You can also switch to paper-free billing or apply for exemptions and relief. westminster.gov.uk/businessrates
Businesses in Westminster can access thousands of pounds worth of company information, UK and international market reports, advice on business planning and more at Business Information Points in Westminster libraries. Visit westminster.gov.uk/bip
Sign up to our business enewsletter Filled with the latest business news, special offers, training and networking opportunities, the business enewsletter will provide you with the information you need to promote and grow your business in Westminster. westminster.gov.uk/business-e-newsletter
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Business Handbook
Council services
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Business rates Planning Apply for planning permission and Pay your business rates online, notify comment on planning applications. us of a change of address and apply for exemptions and relief. Special events Apply to film or hold an event. Commercial waste and recycling Sign up to our commercial waste Street cleaning service, order more bags and find Find your street’s cleaning schedule out how to dispose of bulky items. and report any street cleaning Food safety Register your food business with the council, report a concern about food safety and sign up for food safety training. Health and safety Report health and safety concerns, sign up for training courses and find the latest advice. Licensing Apply for a licence and pay your annual fee.
westminster.gov.uk/business
Noise Report noise concerns and find the permitted hours at which work can be carried out. Parking Apply for a trade parking permit, parking bay suspensions and skip licences. Pest control Request advice and treatment to get rid of insects, rodents and other potential health hazards.
issues.
Street trading Become a licensed market trader and apply for a tables and chairs licence. Trading standards Get advice and guidance on consumer protection legislation affecting your business and protect your business from scams. For information on all council services for businesses visit westminster.gov.uk/business or call our dedicated business line on 020 7641 7000.
Promote your business
Promote your business or service to 54,000 residents who have a Westminster City Save card. Over 400 businesses and leading attractions across Westminster and London have already provided fantastic offers and great savings to Westminster residents as part of the council’s award-winning Westminster City Save scheme. Promote your business for free, whether it’s a new service, event or existing offer. Increase enquiries, sales, web hits and attendees at events, and choose the terms and conditions that suit you.
Last year we received over 7,000 visitors to the site from Westminster City Save and took over £1,700 in revenue in our first week.” Theatre People
Provide an offer or discount to Westminster residents and your business could be seen by: 60,000 subscribers to our fortnightly enewsletter 34,000 visitors to the Westminster City Save website each month 12,000 followers on social media t housands of households across Westminster that subscribe to our publications. westminster.gov.uk/citysave
INTERESTED OFFERING A DISCOUNT Offers in yourINarea BUT FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY?
Promote a short-term offer, such as an event, show or new product, to Westminster residents as part of the council’s Value for Money Friday scheme. Every Friday the council highlights special offers available to all residents, not just those with a Westminster City Save card - a great way to promote your business. westminster.gov.uk/vfm
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Business support Co-working spaces
TrueStart If you have an innovative product, service Great Western Studios or business in the retail or consumer Affordable small business workspace and sector you can apply to join the TrueStart studio space in West London for creative programme. Successful applicants gain industry businesses. The building is made access to office space, retail space up of 104 studios as well as communal and financial investment in return for an access to the garden and courtyard. equity stake in their business. greatwesternstudios.com truestart.co.uk @GW_Studios @TrueStartUK 65 Alfred Road, W2 5EU Francis House, 11 Francis Street, SW1P 1DE Impact Hub Westminster Flexible workspace with over 200 hotdesking spaces, a library and dedicated Creative industries meeting rooms. Located minutes from SohoCreate Trafalgar Square, Impact Hub Westminster Soho is the most creative square mile in also hosts events and programmes to provide on-going learning and networking the world and SohoCreate is a major new festival championing, celebrating and opportunities for its members. showcasing Soho’s creativity. In 2015 the westminster.impacthub.net festival will run from 3rd–7th June with @HubWestminster talks from some of the country’s leading 1st Floor, New Zealand House, creatives, events, workshops and more. 80 Haymarket, SW1Y 4TE sohocreate.co.uk Maida Hill Place @SohoCreate A unique space for food entrepreneurs with a fully-equipped kitchen and event space, as well as a training and networking programme. Run or test a food business idea without the overheads that a normal food business set-up would incur. maidahillplace.co.uk Report problems in your area online at @MaidaHillPlace westminster.gov.uk/report-it 4 Fernhead Road, W9 3ET
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Business Handbook
Business support
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Expertise and networking Business Improvement Districts A BID is an area in which local businesses have voted to work together to create a more appealing environment and decide how to jointly market the local area. Contact your local BID to discover how your business could benefit. westminster.gov.uk/ westminsterbids
westminster.gov.uk/business
Business Information Points Located in libraries across Westminster, Business Information Points provide a range of free, highquality resources to help you develop and build your business. Access market research databases including Mintel, regular events and workshops with guest speakers, and fantastic networking opportunities. westminster.gov.uk/bip @WCCLibraries Federation of Small Businesses The FSB promotes and protects the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. Members receive benefits including networking events, legal protection insurance and a financial health check. fsb.org.uk/benefits @FSB_Policy
London Chamber of Commerce Representing the interests of thousands of companies, the London Chamber of Commerce connects over 500,000 business people every year. londonchamber.co.uk @LondonChamber National business support initiatives Connect to expert advice and sources of information to help you build and grow your business through the government’s Great Business programme. You can also find more information on the Growth Voucher programme which helps companies find and pay for professional strategic advice. greatbusiness.gov.uk @BusinessisGreat Westminster Business Council A membership organisation helping businesses to grow through meetings with potential clients, industry insights, networking and mentoring. Companies with a turnover of less than one million a year can apply for free membership. westminsterbc.org.uk @WestminsterBC
Westminster Enterprise Centre Free and low-cost business training, workshops and qualified business advisers providing confidential, one-toone business advice. Meeting rooms are also available for hire. westminster-enterprise.org.uk @EnterpriseW9
Finance and grants Connection vouchers Small and medium businesses can get a grant of up to £3,000 for faster, better broadband through the government’s Broadband Connection Vouchers scheme. westminster.gov.uk/broadband @DCMS Creative Industry Finance Free expert business advice and access to loan finance from £2,500 to over £2.5 million for creative enterprises. creativeindustryfinance.org.uk @CIFinance London Business Angels One of Europe’s leading angel investment networks connecting fast growth technology companies to equity finance. lbangels.co.uk @LondonBAngels
London Co-Investment Fund A new fund that will invest over £80 million in over 150 science, technology or digital companies that are committed to creating jobs in London. lcif.co @Capital_List Start Up Loans Work with Start Up Loans’ partners to develop a business plan before securing a loan to build your business. Once you have your loan you’ll also be given access to an expert mentor, free training courses and business offers. startuploans.co.uk @StartUpLoansUK
Tendering for council services capitalEsourcing Stay on top of opportunities to supply services, goods or works to the council, as well as other London boroughs, by registering your company‘s details with capitalEsourcing. capitalesourcing.com
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Business Handbook
Business support
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Green growth Cycling courses Help your employees cycle with confidence with free one-to-one City Cycle courses and bike checks. westminster.gov.uk/cycling Electric vehicles Electric vehicles benefit from free parking and no congestion charge in Westminster. Find out how electric vehicles could benefit your business by trialling a Nissan LEAF or Nissan e-NV200 for two weeks, completely free of charge or obligation. westminster.gov.uk/ electric-vehicles
westminster.gov.uk/business
Recruitment Apprenticeships Taking on an apprentice can bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to your business. The London Apprenticeship Company will support you to recruit, fund and train a junior member of staff aged 16-24. londonapprenticeship.co.uk @LDNapprentice
Recruit London Get help finding the right candidates for your business with Recruit London, who will organise the screening and training of candidates as well as continued mentoring once they have started work. crossriverpartnership.org/ projects/recruit-london @CrossRiverPartn
Training Bespoke corporate training The council offers professional training courses in food safety, health and safety, licensing and more to equip you and your team with the knowledge to protect your customers and business. Online and bespoke courses are also available. westminster.gov.uk/ training-programme Westminster Adult Education Service WAES is Westminster’s adult college offering tailored, affordable training programmes, workplace learning and apprenticeships to help small and medium businesses upskill their workforce. waes.ac.uk @WAESonline
Adult learning in the heart of Westminster
We are Westminster’s adult college, offering high-quality, affordable training programmes to help small and medium businesses upskill their workforces. From apprenticeships and workplace learning to tailored training programmes, our services help you overcome tomorrow’s business challenges.
For more information visit www.waes.ac.uk/employers, call 020 7641 8186 or e-mail workandlearn@waes.ac.uk Find us at 219 Lisson Grove London NW8 8LW
CYCLING IN WESTMINSTER
BE A CYCLE FRIENDLY EMPLOYER WITH FREE EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING Receive funding credits to make your business more cycle friendly Reduce your organisation’s carbon emissions Have a healthier and happier workforce Save your employees money and time on their commute. Visit westminster.gov.uk/cycling-businesses
Westminster City Council Westminster City Hall 64 Victoria Street London SW1E 6QP
westminster.gov.uk/cycling-businesses
Get involved in the community There are lots of opportunities to get involved with your community in Westminster, enhance your company’s reputation and boost staff engagement.
Connect with community organisations Business in the Community works with businesses to tackle some of the key issues facing London, from raising aspirations of young people, to supporting disadvantaged groups of people find employment and aiding the growth of social enterprises. Business Connectors will work with you to build partnerships between your business and community organisations to address these issues. bitc.org.uk/london
Encourage your staff to volunteer Supporting employee volunteering could strengthen your business, motivate staff and make a real difference to the local community. One Westminster offers a brokerage service that helps anyone who lives, works or studies in the city to find the right placement for them. Your organisation could also benefit from offering volunteering opportunities, helping someone build their skills and prepare for employment. volunteer.co.uk
Mentor a young person Do you have a couple of hours a week to help a young person in Westminster get a better start in life? The Boost Mentoring scheme matches young people with trained mentors who help them develop, achieve and succeed. Mentors are given three months training and commit to meeting once a week with their mentees for at least six months. For more information contact fsadiq@westminster.gov.uk
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