Information and help for businesses including who to talk to for advice, finance, innovation, skills and training, health at work and recruitment.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is home to thousands of businesses, ranging from multinational corporations to small family firms.
The Council works to promote a vibrant and sustainable economy, in an attractive environment, and provides support to business through commissioned services and by promoting an established network of business support agencies.
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. It has information on national and local schemes, grants and loans to help companies start and grow.
- telephone: 0300 456 3565
- textphone: 0191 581 0052
- email: enquiries@businesssupporthelpline.org
The London Business Growth Hub
The London Business Growth Hub provides an easy way for businesses to access the range of support that is available to help London’s businesses.
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 on the following issues:
- 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
Find out how the Portobello Business Centre can help you:
- telephone: 020 7460 5050
- visit the Portobello Business Centre website
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 whether self-employment is right for them. Depending on the outcome of this process, the programme can then offer mentoring support and, for those that really need it, financial support, to start a business - or mentoring support to secure goals in employment, education or training.
- telephone: 0800 842842
- visit the Prince's Trust website
Mentorsme
Mentorsme connects companies with mentoring organisations that can support and guide their growth. If you are a business that needs support or a business professional who can offer support, Mentorsme can help you connect with each other.
Kensington and Chelsea Chamber of Commerce
The Kensington and Chelsea Chamber of Commerce is committed to providing members with support to help their businesses grow, and to sustain the business community in the Royal Borough. Networking is the priority of this Chamber - helping members meet, mix and support each other in business.
- telephone: 020 7795 0304
- visit the Kensington and Chelsea Chamber of Commerce website
Finance
Wild Blue Cohort
Wild Blue Cohort is a new network of business angels, local to Kensington and Chelsea, who invest in entrepreneurs close to home. The network invests in start-up and existing enterprises that offer growth, scale and high returns but also benefit local life. Individual members of the venture are prepared to 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 Royal Borough’s Social Innovation Fund.
Portobello Business Centre
Portobello Business Centre (PBC) 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. As well as being able to advise on accessing business finance, PBC provide access to start-up loans provided by the local credit union, Your Credit Union.
- telephone: 020 7460 5050
- visit the Portobello Business Centre website
Start Up Loans
Start Up Loans is a government-backed personal loan for business purposes. Start Up Loans are available to individuals over the age of 18 who are eligible to start a business in the UK, for businesses aged between 0-24 months. Loans of up to £25,000 are available at a fixed rate of interest and are repayable over 1-5 years. Individuals can only receive one Start Up Loan, however more than one partner in a business can be eligible to apply for a loan.
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 enablement, governance and 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 approximately £5 million - £100 million a year and need growth finance of around £2 million - £10 million the fund may be able to help.
- telephone: 0845 266 8860
- visit the Business Growth Fund website
Grow your market
capitalEsourcing
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 contract opportunities linked to the London 2012 Games and other major public and private sector buying organisations, such as Transport for London (TfL), 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 their exporting and international trade needs. The website contains extensive exporting resources from government and specialist organisations, and a popular question and answer section where business owners can ask questions to the wider community and get the answers they need.
GREAT.gov.uk
Trade hub for businesses 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 providing specialist support to help business boost returns by cutting carbon emissions, saving energy and commercialising low carbon technologies.
- telephone: 020 78324802
- email: businessadvice@carbontrust.com
- visit the Carbon Trust website
Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP)
WRAP works to help businesses reap the benefits of reducing 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 in London, has all the business and IP information you need as an innovator and entrepreneur. Learn from the success of others and meet like-minded people. It's free and can save time and money.
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
Public Health Training Service
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea delivers low-cost Food Safety, Health and Safety and Public Health training to businesses and organisations across London.
- telephone: 020 7361 3002
- visit the Public Health Training Service website
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.
- telephone: 0800 0778 844
- visit the Fit for Work website
London Healthy Workplace Charter
Free self-assessment tool and accreditation scheme that supports and rewards employers developing their work environment and promoting staff health and wellbeing. A local healthy workplace advisor can support you to build good practice in health at work throughout your business or organisation, free of charge.
Recruitment
Universal Jobmatch
Universal Jobmatch is a service offered through Government Gateway. This service has been designed to help you find and employ the most suitable jobseekers for potential jobs. You can post jobs, review CVs and get updates on jobseekers who match your requirements.
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.
