Business and Enterprise
The Royal Borough's economy is characterised by the number of
small and unique businesses, with over three quarters of businesses
employing fewer than five employees and only 2.3 per cent employing
more than 50. However, we are also home to some flagship business
brands and renowned commercial centres.
These pages include information on doing business in the borough
and where to find help to grow and succeed.
News
Environment Agency urges qualifying businesses to register for
CRC
The Environment Agency has called on
organisations who qualify for the mandatory CRC Energy Efficiency
Scheme to register as soon as possible. Participation is
compulsory, if an organisation consumed over 6,000 MWh of
electricity on a half hourly meter in 2008. If an
organisation does not meet the 6,000 MWh threshold but consumed
more than 3,000 MWh, they are still required to register and make a
disclosure of electricity consumption.
While the deadline is 30 September 2010, the Environment Agency
has indicated that registration could take a further two weeks;
therefore organisations should register by the end of August 2010
to avoid being caught in a backlog of applications and potential
fines. More information about CRC can be
found here.
CEN, an environmental
organisation delivering a range of services to businesses in
environmental improvements, is offering five free onsite
consultations to support organisations who still need to register
with the scheme. To speak to somebody at CEN about the CRC Energy
Efficiency Scheme call free on 0800 014 7411 or visit their
website.
Wedge Card launches across Royal Borough
The big project to support independent
retailers in 2010 is the borough-wide launch of the Wedge reward
card for independent retailers.
Nearly 600 retailers have joined the scheme
giving them a new and powerful tool to promote themselves to
residents and visitors. The Council has sent 86,500 free Wedge
Cards to each household in the borough with a letter encouraging
them to use it to support their independent shops.
Participation in the Wedge card is free to all
independent retailers in the borough (defined as having up to 9
outlets in total). All retailers have to do is to come up with an
offer for Wedge Card holders. For more information visit the
Wedge Card website or call
020 7401 3913.
Importing into the UK - all you need to know
The transition from doing business solely in the UK to trading
internationally can be far from smooth, but the Portobello Business
Centre (PBC) is here to help.
On the 1 October the PBC are conducting a special course on
importing, at their offices from 10am to 5pm. The course has been
specifically designed for those planning to import goods from
Europe, Asia, Africa or the Americas and will equip participants
with the knowledge and skills to plan an effective strategy.
Speakers will be drawn from HMRC HSBC, Horizon Logistics and a
representative from the Brazilian Chamber of Commerce.
The cost to participate in the seminar is £50,
and because of the popularity of these seminars you are recommended
to register early to avoid disappointment.
To find out more, call PBC on 020 7460
5050 or e-mail info@pbc.co.uk
Cash-flow Help for Council Suppliers
The Council is offering financial support for small businesses
who supply goods or services to it. In the current economic
situation the Council will make a payment as soon as the invoice is
processed. For more information please see our page on
cash flow help to Council
suppliers.
Page last updated: 8/24/2010