business

Supporting business and encouraging enterprise

We want to support stable levels of economic growth and employment by creating and maintaining an attractive and vibrant business environment in the borough.

 

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.

Wedge Card

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