Resources

Explore a range of business support resources available to you in Lewisham

SME R&D Support Programme - Funding Call Round 2

Available until 01 Sep
Are you running a successful business in the fashion, textiles or related technology sector? Do you have an idea that could take your company and the industry to the next level?
We want to hear from you.

The fashion, textiles and technology related sector (FTT) is buoyant, innovative and multidisciplinary, informing many adjacent sectors in the wider industry. Quite literally, spanning Agriculture to Advertising. This Funding Call is looking to support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the development of the next generation of products, services and experiences in the fashion, textiles and technology sectors - with sustainable innovation at their core.

SMEs, with or without associated industry partners, that are already working at the developmental stages of testing an innovative product, service or concept prototype are eligible to apply. R&D projects may also be at an earlier scoping stage (pre-prototyping). In both cases, for the project to be successful, it would benefit from specialist support across a range of fields that could be provided by the BFTT partnership, including: new materials design & development; application of less accessible and cutting-edge technologies; novel applications of digital technologies; business model innovation.

We look forward to hearing from FTT companies, and those in the wider STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) fields interested in collaborating with the FTT sector- who would like to achieve a step-change in their business trajectory.

Shared Workspace Support Programme

Available until 31 Mar
We are pleased to announce the launch of our Shared Workspace Support Programme this Tuesday June 2nd at 10.45am

We are busy trying to promote the programme through emails and social media, and we would really appreciate it if you could help spread information about the programme amongst your network.

This programme is running for 18 months and we will be running regular webinars and offering one to one advice sessions, so please do include it in as many emails and newsletters as possible over the coming months. Below is a short summary of the programme you could share:

Shared Workspace Business Programme: On behalf of London Growth Hub, London Business Partnership and GeraldEve’s Business Rates experts are running a series of FREE, short and interactive Webinars over the next few months, alongside bespoke one to one advice sessions, to help you in these uncertain times.
· Access Business Rate Relief and other relief schemes
· Have guidance on how to handle future rent negotiations with your landlord(s)
· Have help on how to handle talks with your local authority
· Support your tenant with grant applications (if applicable)

So far we have 3 confirmed dates, 2nd, 9th and 16th June at 10.45am, to book a date that best suits you click here or email info@londonbp.co.uk - there will be more dates made available soon!

Government Help: Apply for a coronavirus Bounce Back Loan

Available until 31 Aug
Does your business need some cashflow to overcome the current crisis? The government's Bounce Back Loan is a low-risk borrowing scheme of up to £50,000.
The Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) enables smaller businesses to access finance more quickly during the coronavirus outbreak.

London Community Response Fund

Available until 31 Aug
London’s funders are working together to provide coordinated funding to support groups responding to the needs of communities in the capital affected by the covid-19 pandemic.

London Community Response Fund are providing grants for their second wave of funding. You can apply for up to £50,000 to enable you to change the way you deliver your work in order to meet community needs.

Rolling deadline.

Company Debt: What Government Support is Available for UK Businesses During Coronavirus?

Available until 31 Jul
In this time of national crisis where so many businesses are struggling, we’ve tried to create the single best resource on what government support is available.

This page covers:
- All of the current support offered by the UK government to businesses
- How much is available
- How to apply
- It is continually updated to remain current

Londoners ‘neglected by self-employed package’

Available until 31 Jul
Sadiq Khan has written to chancellor Rishi Sunak to demand more financial help is given to the capital’s self-employed workers amidst findings that one-in-three self-employed Londoners will not receive any assistance. The London mayor’s letter, written to Sunak and business secretary Alok Sharma, claims that up to 290,000 Londoners, 12% of the capital’s total workforce, are not eligible to receive anything from the scheme. Read more in the link below.

Businesses not receiving CBILS

Available until 31 Jul
The Government has admitted that just 1.4% of businesses that enquired about its coronavirus business interruption loan scheme (CBILS) have so far been successful. It has emerged that just 4,200 of the estimated 300,000 firms that sought help online have received rescue loans. On 3 April, the Chancellor loosened the criteria for CBILS loans and banned banks from asking for personal guarantees from small businesses seeking help. Read more in the link below.

Business Rates for Local Authorities

Available until 31 Jul
Jointly with the London Growth Hub there was a webinar on the current interpretation of business rates in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak, for local authorities in London. In this video, you will hear from representatives at the GLA, London Councils, CIPFA and Westminster City Council on how recent announcements have changed the nature of business rates. An FAQ sheet on business rates for local authorities will follow shortly. Listen to the full discussion, link below.

HM Government Self-employment Income Support Scheme FAQs

Available until 31 Mar
Self-employment Income Support Scheme FAQs
What happens to individuals whose 2018/19 profits are very different to what they would have expected to make this year?
What about those who haven’t filed their 2018/19 tax return yet?
Is this grant subject to tax?
What should self-employed people do while they wait to be paid?

Creative Industries Federation

Available until 31 Mar
Honest, unfiltered free support especially around how to access government support mechanisms for freelance/self-employed. This includes written guidance, commentary and webinars - please note that people need to be signed up as free members to access most of these though the web home page has some direct click through access.

Free Creative Industries Federation 6 month membership

Available until 31 Mar
Free Federation Membership for six months
It’s clear that our creativity and problem-solving abilities are going to be substantially affected by the ongoing Coronavirus emergency. This is a rapidly evolving, unprecedented situation, and we’ve been listening carefully to your concerns.

Lewisham Local: Covid-19 Community Response

Available until 30 Mar
Lewisham Local, Voluntary Services Lewisham and Age UK Lewisham & Southwark are working with Lewisham Council and local partners in the community to coordinate their response to help the most vulnerable in our communities.

Via their website you can both request support from local volunteers and volunteer your time to support those in need.

Dek Growth Programme

Available until 30 Mar
Are you a small business owner based in London looking for free expert advice and practical support to help steer your business towards growth?

Arts Council Grants for the Arts

Available until 30 Mar
Grants for the Arts was our open access funding programme for individuals, art organisations and other people who use the arts in their work. It offered awards from £1,000 to £100,000 to support a wide variety of arts-related activities, from dance to visual arts, literature to theatre, music to combined arts.

UK Government Growing your business

Available until 30 Mar
Contents: Plan for growth, Get extra funding, Increase sales to existing customers, Attract new customers, Improve your products and services, Develop new products and services, Hire and train staff, Work with a mentor.

UK Government Contracts Finder

Available until 30 Mar
Contracts Finder lets you search for information about contracts worth over £10,000 with the government and its agencies.

You can use Contracts Finder to: search for contract opportunities in different sectors, find out what’s coming up in the future, look up details of previous tenders and contracts.

ACAS Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for employers and employees

Available until 30 Mar
Staying at home and social distancing, Vulnerable people and those at high risk, Self-isolation and sick pay, If the workplace needs to close temporarily, Using holiday, If an employee needs time off work to look after someone, If someone has coronavirus symptoms at work, Good practice steps for employers.

More coronavirus advice.

Creative England Coronavirus: Guidance from the sector

Available until 30 Mar
With the rapidly changing nature of the COVID-19 outbreak, information and advice from government is constantly being updated.

We have collated advice from across the sector to provide guidance to those in the creative industries who are affected by the Coronavirus and its fallout.

Federation of Small Businesses summary of recommendations

Available until 30 Mar
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Advice and guidance for small businesses and the self-employed.

Arts Council Covid-19 support

Available until 30 Mar
Emergency measures and funding.

Ensuring the people and organisations that make up our arts, museums and libraries are protected during the Coronavirus crisis is our number one priority.

"We are making £160 million of emergency funding available for those organisations and individuals who will need it during this crisis, and we have also changed the funding requirements for individuals and organisations currently in receipt of our funding."

Arts Council Financial support

Available until 30 Mar
Financial support for artists, creative practitioners and freelancers.

"We are making £20 million available to individuals working in the cultural sector, including artists, creative practitioners and freelancers.

Artists and creative practitioners will be able to apply for grants of up to £2,500 if they have a track record in publicly funded culture."