FOCUS ON LEWISHAM

Lewisham Council

is here for its businesses

Lewisham is a great borough in which to start and build a business.

We’re proud to have one of the highest numbers of small and micro businesses in the UK. However, we know running your own business is never easy and the last 12 months have been especially challenging. The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered an economic crisis which has hit many of us hard, but it has also created opportunity.

As a Council we’ve done our best to support local businesses in weathering the storm. Since the start of the pandemic we have distributed over £50 million in grants to more than 4,000 businesses. Many have done an incredible job at adapting their services and the way they operate, in order to continue serving their local communities although sadly some had no choice but to close. While the battle against coronavirus may be turning a corner, we know that conditions remain tough. As restrictions ease we are

❛❛Lewisham has a huge variety of fantastic independent shops, delivering that personal touch you would never get from a major retailer. Shop Safe Shop Local is all about promoting them to champion the incredible range of products and services available on our doorstep.❜❜

focussed on building Lewisham’s economy for the future and will continue to support local businesses, the lifeblood of our communities, so they bounce back. There is a range of financial support including Restart Grants and Additional Restrictions Grants. We are also running a range of free programmes to support businesses and upskill local entrepreneurs whatever stage their business is at including Start-ups in London Libraries, Stride, Goldsmiths’ NX Hub and CEZ’s Creative Business Knowledge Exchange. In addition, we are working with local businesses to create local jobs. Boosting the local workforce will be vital in helping the local economy recover and thrive. Our Kickstart and Apprenticeships schemes offer funding to businesses to provide work placements for local people.

Shop Safe Shop Local

In line with the Government’s roadmap, non-essential businesses can reopen from 12th April and Lewisham Council is marking this milestone by launching Shop Safe Shop Local. The campaign focuses on promoting local businesses. Our high streets are at the heart of our community and economy. We want to celebrate them, but do so safely. There’s no denying this past year has been incredibly tough but many people have developed a newfound appreciation of their local areas and their high streets in particular. Being able to access essential shops, services and outside spaces within walking distance of home became a life line during the pandemic. This campaign is about returning the love. Lewisham has a huge variety of fantastic independent shops, delivering that personal touch you would never get from a major retailer. Shop Safe Shop Local is all about promoting them to champion the incredible range of products and services available on our doorstep. We believe that, within the borough, you can find a product or service to suit any taste or occasion. While this campaign is about shining a light on local business, there is an added emphasis on safety. We are working closely with shops and businesses to ensure they have the guidance and support needed to stick to the latest COVID-19 guidance, keeping customers and staff safe. Businesses can find further support at

www.lewisham.gov.uk/tradingsafely

The Council’s Shop Safe Shop Local campaign will run throughout the spring and summer. There are free webinars to support safe reopening, advice packs and printed materials for businesses. Residents will be encouraged back on to the high street through a mix of street and print advertising as well as social media. A series of blogs will provide inspiration, if any is needed, to shop locally and a lucky few will get their hands on free limited edition tote bags to carry their shopping.

Visit www.lewisham.gov.uk/ businesssupport for further information on how Lewisham Council is supporting its businesses.

One important way to keep up-to-date on all the latest Lewisham business news is to receive our business alerts by email.

Visit our website to sign up www.lewisham.gov.uk/business Grants

Restart Grants

Restart Grants support the recovery of the high street as national restrictions are lifted and replace the Local Restrictions Support Grants. You are only eligible if you hold a Lewisham Council business rates account.

To check eligibility and apply visit www.lewisham.gov.uk/restartgrant Additional Restrictions Grants

Your business does not need to have closed to be eligible for this scheme. If you are self-employed or a small business owner who has seen a significant drop in sales or turnover due to COVID-19 restrictions, you could qualify for a one-off grant payment of up to £9,000.

To find out if you are eligible and apply visit www.lewisham.gov.uk/ additionalrestrictionsgrant Fast track pavement licences

Planning is not required for the new pavement licence which allows businesses to use more of the space outside of their premises for the sale, or service and

Interview

Local business owner

shares his experiences of the past year

Nolan West opened Rise Café in 2018 offering a menu of freshly prepared food and drinks in relaxed hygge surrounds. It quickly became a firm favourite of locals in Honor Oak Park. We caught up with Nolan to find out how the council has supported him and how he has adapted his business during COVID-19.

How has COVID-19 affected your business?

The customers are different – we have a lot more people who are working from home who drop by during lunch time for a sandwich. It used to be mums who would come in with children for coffee in the mornings or dog walkers. It used to be quite a lively atmosphere outside but the fact we have had to shut the outdoor seating area means that that’s now changed. We also now offer takeaway burgers in the evenings – it was something we had always planned to do and then the initial lockdown was announced. They’ve gone down very well which is great, considering the times we are in.

consumption, of food and drink. This helps you to remain COVID-19 secure whilst protecting as many hospitality jobs as possible.

If you would like to apply for a licence visit www.lewisham.gov.uk/pavementlicence Lewisham backs its businesses

The Council launched the Lewisham Backs Business taskforce in June 2020. This new group is made up of representatives from the Mayor’s cabinet, the Council, partners including the DWP’s Job Centre Plus and local business groups including SE London Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Small Businesses. The task force works together to identify the needs of local businesses. That localised knowledge ensures targeted support is provided where it’s needed most. Whether that’s financial support, upskilling the local workforce, help with jobs creation, or a roadmap to reopening our high streets.

Start-ups in London Libraries (SiLL)

Got a business idea you’d like to get off the ground? Own a start-up that is in its very early stages? SiLL is a free fully-funded programme designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs gain the skills, information and know-how needed to build a viable business.

How has the council supported you during COVID-19?

The council has been very supportive, especially in the first lockdown where we were stuck for two months. They were good at working everything out and we received our grant without any problems. The money I received, covered my costs for when the shop was shut and I felt the council communicated well through email updates. We even received a visit from one of the teams which was very much appreciated.

How have you had to adapt your business?

We introduced burgers in the evenings during COVID-19 – we thought it would be a good takeaway option. It has worked very well and we have only had to adjust by buying more take away boxes, cups etc. People don’t have to wait around very long as they can phone up and order prior to pick up and book their orders in advance. People in the local area know us for offering sandwiches in the day time and burgers in the evenings. Friday and Saturday nights are usually busy as people tend to order more take away then. We have also had to adapt by putting COVID-19 safety measures such as signage of 2 metre distancing, barriers of where people have to queue when waiting around for their orders and other notices to ensure everyone is safe. Usually people are quite responsible.

It offers access to a range of workshops, networking events, one-to-one support and business resources to help turn your idea into a reality.

Find out more and sign up for events www.lewisham.gov.uk/sill Could you provide a work opportunity for a local person?

We continue to encourage and support local businesses to provide local work opportunities. Doing so is a great opportunity for businesses to place themselves at the heart of the community and benefit from the commitment, knowledge and ideas that come with taking on local people. Funding is available through the Kickstart programme to provide a six-month work placement for a young Lewisham resident.

You can find more details here www.lewisham.gov.uk/kickstart

We can support you to provide an apprenticeship for a local person within your company.

Visit our website for further details www.lewisham.gov.uk/ apprenticeships

What are your tips on adapting business during COVID-19?

I would say adapt to the situation that you are in. Don’t supply things that you can’t takeaway – like a Sunday roast. People are looking for things they can take away quickly. As you can see, pizzas are doing well at the moment – I’d recommend thinking what is most convenient for the customer and adapt from there.

What are your plans for the future?

I look forward to opening up again in the Spring, we have just got our alcohol licence approved. We’re excited for people to be able to sit outside again and socialise with a drink while enjoying a great meal. There’s nothing better than watching our customers enjoy our food and themselves. Looking further ahead, we might even open a second premises. It looks like a very strong possibility at the moment!