Small business bulletin for Greater London

Local News 28 Oct 2024

Local small business news from Sarah King, your FSB Development Manager. Updates cover the City of London and its 32 surrounding boroughs.

In summary

We have some great events planned up until the end of January 2025, plus our FSB London Business Bootcamp on 19 March, all available to book now via our online calendar. FSB events support our FSB members and the wider small business community to make connections, have conversations and to network.

If you’re looking for more information on business support or have any specific questions or business issues you want to raise, email Sarah King on the contact details below.

 

Featured news and events 

SME Day Summit 2024 - London

Taking place on Friday 22 November, 11am to 7pm to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week 2024.

This year's SME Day Summit offers a transformative opportunity for entrepreneurs and business leaders who want to propel their companies to new heights. This isn’t just another business conference - it’s an immersive experience designed to equip you with cutting-edge strategies in marketing, sales, and scaling, plus international trade and expansion, learning how to grow your businesses beyond borders.

FSB London will be attending and supporting this event being held at Samsung KX at London's King's Cross in the heart of Coal Drops Yard, N1C 4DQ.

Join us at the SME Day Summit for interactive workshops, high-level panel discussions with expert insights from industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs and networking.

Our FSB members and followers are asked to book via the following link and at check out type FSB.

Ultra low emission discount for London Congestion Charge exemption to finish in 2025

In December 2025, London’s 100% Congestion Charge discount for electric vehicles will end.

For businesses, this could mean paying up to £5,500 annually for each electric vehicle operating in central London.

That’s why we have joined Clean Cities to urge the Mayor of London to extend the Congestion Charge exemption for electric vans. This will provide critical support for small businesses that have made the switch to clean transport and encourage others to follow suit.

Laura Timm, FSB London Policy Chair said: “Small firms all over London have faced a cost of doing business crisis for the best part of a decade and many have “done the right thing” and invested in green initiatives within their business. For businesses who have purchased electric vans they should be supported and not be at risk of losing the Congestion Charge exemption on Christmas Day 2025. 

“We urge the Mayor of London and TfL to maintain this supportive measure for businesses as it sends the right signal to struggling small businesses.”

Get involved by signing the open letter here.

By signing this open letter, you’ll help safeguard the future of electric vehicles in London and support local businesses, and cleaner air.

Inner London South In-Person in partnership with Goldsmiths, University of London

For the first time this November, FSB London is partnering with Goldsmiths, University of London to bring together small business owners, freelancers and the student community to connect and network. This event forming part of our 'Inner London South' programme supporting those from Lewisham, Greenwich, Southwark and Lambeth.

Join us for some in-person networking and conversation on 19 November, 12.30pm - 2pm

Book your delegate place now >

 

In other news 

London's UKSPF - supporting local business

In 2023, the Mayor invested £62m into 28 local projects, granting funding to London boroughs and London & Partners to support small businesses London-wide – creating over 4,500 jobs across various sectors.

This UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) helps boost small business productivity, encourages growth and increases job opportunities whilst restoring sense of local pride.

The funded business projects include those that support Innovation, Supplier readiness, Bridging the digital divide, Growing the social economy, Property Advice Service, Support fast-growing diverse founders, Investment readiness support for diverse founders, plus to London Boroughs to help their communities to access the support they need to start, grow and sustain their business into 2025, and to London & Partners to deliver the 'Grow London Local' platform created to provide business support for small and micro businesses.

We encourage you to reach out to the various project providers, your local London Borough Council's Business Support Team and Grow London Local to ensure you do not miss out on any UKSPF support for London based small businesses.

The funding ends in March 2025. Read more here.

Spotlight on the Design District - Greenwich

On 16 October, we welcomed FSB National Chair, Martin McTague OBE, to the Greenwich Peninsula - home to the Design District - London’s first permanent, purpose-built workspace for the creative industries. This, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) with Martin McTague touring the UK to hear directly from business owners about the challenges they face in today's economy.

Thank you to FSB Volunteer - Nigel Davies of PIN Creative who regularly hosts our FSB Inner London South online and in-person networking events, and who helps support the small business community in Greenwich via monthly ZEST events.

With Nigel's input, Martin enjoyed a visit to the NOW Gallery, Ravensbourne University Start Up Lab, a tour of the Design District including a view from London's only rooftop basketball court and took part in a Q&A session with a small business audience.

The Design District is home to 170+ businesses ranging from global brands to one-person start-ups. Understand the impact of the Design District since its launch in 2021 via this report.

To enjoy a video clip of the Q&A session seen through the lens of FSB Member - Warren King of WK Photography, click here.


Still in the news 

Tickets now available: FSB London Bootcamp - Spring Into Success

Unleash your business potential in Spring 2025 with expert insights, dynamic conversation, and networking opportunities plus time to meet the Bootcamp Exhibitors.

We are looking forward to being back for our second year at TBXH Sunley House in the heart of Croydon on Wednesday 19 March 2025 for a transformative one-day event to help you and your business spring forward with success in March 2025.

FSB Members are invited to submit an expression of interest to [email protected] if keen to be considered as a guest speaker at the event – an opportunity for those who can share valuable insights, knowledge and experiences, inspire fellow entrepreneurs and have experience of presenting at events too.

We look forward to announcing more details about the Bootcamp programme in the coming weeks.

Click here for more information and to secure your spot either as a delegate or exhibitor.

Make the most of your Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Membership

We encourage our FSB London community to ensure they are making the most of their FSB Membership.

To ensure you regularly hear from FSB, please check your preference settings via your FSB Member online dashboard. Remember you can contact the local FSB London team at [email protected]

You can also reach out to either your local FSB Membership Advisor or FSB Customer Services and follow FSB on social media.

Alternatively, view the latest 'Maximise Your Membership' webinar available on download here

Don't forget to make use of the FSB App available for Android and iPhone and via your dashboard you can download the 'FSB Member' logo to use on your business website, letters, documents, vehicles, and other items related to your business and FSB Membership.

Our FSB London members can enjoy free promotion across our London social media platforms. Find out more about FSB Member Mondays, Tuesday's Top Tips and Book of the Month.

Please get in touch.

More news and activity near you 


Get in touch

Sarah King

Your FSB Development Manager for Greater London is Sarah King.  If you'd like more information about the topics above, or if you have news about this area that you'd like to share, please get in touch.