Business advice
Advice for local businesses
Our borough is home to thousands of businesses, ranging from multinational corporations to small family firms.
The Council works to:
- promote a vibrant and sustainable economy
- provide support to business through commissioned services
- promote business support agencies
Coronavirus (COVID-19) - advice for businesses
For the latest information for residents, businesses and visitors see the Coronavirus (COVID-19) page.
Support for businesses - see the GOV.UK website
- Funding for small and medium sized firms affected by coronavirus - see the London Growth Hub website
Useful Information
Who to talk to for advice
GOV.UK
GOV.UK is the government's online resource for businesses. It contains information about starting up and running a business in the UK, including help if you are self employed or a sole trader.
Business Support Helpline
The Business Support Helpline offers advice and guidance to new and existing businesses including information about grants and loans.
For more information telephone 0300 456 3565 or email enquiries@businesssupporthelpline.org.
The London Business Growth Hub
The London Business Growth Hub helps businesses access support across London.
Go to London Business Growth Hub.
Portobello Business Centre
Portobello Business Centre is the borough’s enterprise agency, partially funded by The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. They offer information, free advice and confidential guidance about:
- accessing finance
- debt and cash-flow management
- recruitment and redundancy
- support for innovation or changing your business model
- accessing local supply chains and finding new local business opportunities
For more information telephone 020 7460 5050.
Go to Portobello Business Centre.
The Prince's Trust
The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme supports unemployed people and those working fewer than 16 hours per week, aged 18-30, to decide whether their business ideas are viable, and if self-employment is right for them.
The programme offers mentoring support to:
- start a business
- find jobs
- access education or training
- secure financial support
For more information telephone 0800 842842.
Mentorsme
Mentorsme connects companies with mentoring organisations that can support and guide their growth.
Kensington and Chelsea Chamber of Commerce
The Kensington and Chelsea Chamber of Commerce is committed to:
- helping members to grow their businesses
- sustaining the local business community
- promoting networking opportunities
For more information telephone 020 7795 0304.
Finance
Wild Blue Cohort
Wild Blue Cohort are business angels who invest in local entrepreneurs. They invest in start-up and existing enterprises that offer:
- growth
- high returns
- benefits to local life
Individual members can invest up to £250,000 and many are interested in syndicated arrangements.
Wild Blue is a member of the UK Business Angels Association, operates as a non-profit and its start-up has been financed by the borough's Social Innovation Fund.
For more information contact more@wildbluekc.com.
Portobello Business Centre
Portobello Business Centre is the borough’s enterprise agency, partially funded by The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. They offer information, free advice and confidential guidance from qualified experts.
For more information telephone 020 7460 5050.
Go to Portobello Business Centre.
Start Up Loans
Start Up Loans is a government-backed personal loan for business purposes. You could be eligible to apply for a loan of up to £25,000 if you are:
- over the age of 18
- eligible to start a business in the UK
- a new business owner in the previous 24 months
Newable
Newable (formerly GLE) provides a a range of services including:
- business loans
- start-up and expansion advice
- real estate management
- international trade advice
- digital advice
- risk management consultancy
Business Growth Fund
The Business Growth Fund is a £2.5 billion equity investment fund backed by five of the largest banks in the UK.
If you have sales of between £5 million and £100 million a year and need growth finance of between £2 million and £10 million, the fund may be able to help.
For more information telephone 0845 266 8860.
Grow your market
capitalEsourcing
Find opportunities to tender for contracts with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and other London boroughs.
CompeteFor
CompeteFor is a free service that enables businesses to compete for contracts in public and private sector buying organisations such as Transport for London, Crossrail and the Metropolitan Police.
Contracts Finder
Contracts Finder lets you search for information about contracts worth over £10,000 with the government and its agencies.
Exporting is Great
The site contains around 2000 export opportunities worth hundreds of millions of pounds and organised by sector and market.
Open to Export
Open to Export is a community-based business service aimed at helping small and medium sized enterprises with exporting and international trade. The website provides:
- exporting resources icluding government and specialist organisations
- forum where business owners can ask questions to the wider community
GREAT.gov.uk
Trade hub for businesses that helps UK companies to access potential overseas business. It also gives practical advice, preferential deals, a searchable export directory and signposts to further help on winning contracts.
Reducing costs and environmental impact
Carbon Trust
The Carbon Trust is a not-for-profit company that helps businesses:
- cut carbon emissions
- save energy
- save money
For more information telephone 020 78324802 or email businessadvice@carbontrust.com.
Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP)
WRAP helps businesses reduce waste, develop sustainable products and use resources in an efficient way.
Innovation
The British Library Business & IP (Intellectual Property) Centre
The Business & IP Centre at the British Library provides free business and IP information to innovators and entrepreneurs.
Innovate UK
Innovate UK is the UK's innovation agency providing access to funding opportunities, advice, events and access to innovation expertise.
Skills and training
Environmental Health Training Service
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea delivers low-cost training to businesses and organisations across London in:
- food safety
- food allergen control
- fire safety
- health and safety
- infection control
- personal licence holding
- customer service
- e-learning
For more information telephone 020 7361 3002.
Go to Environmental Health Training Service.
Portobello Business Centre
Portobello Business Centre offers training to start ups and existing businesses.
For more information telephone 020 7460 5050.
Health at work
Fit For Work
All employers across England and Wales can refer employees who have been off work for four weeks or more for a free Fit for Work referral.
For more information telephone 0800 0778 844.
London Healthy Workplace Charter
Free support from a local healthy workplace advisor, plus self-assessment tools and accreditation scheme that supports employers to:
- develop their work environment
- promote staff health and wellbeing
For more information:
Recruitment
Universal Jobmatch
Universal Jobmatch is a service offered through Government Gateway to help businesses find suitable employees.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships can make your organisation more effective, productive and competitive by addressing your skills gaps directly. They are designed to help your employees reach a high level of competency and performance.