Business

lifestyle Business

Orpington business lounge now open!

Start Up Bromley has officially opened the doors of its new business lounge in Orpington, located at Orpington Library.

Once registered, small businesses and start-ups can use the space to meet with customers and clients, network and receive business support. The new membership programme is designed for anyone starting a business in the borough and is provided by Bromley Libraries in partnership with Bromley Council and the British Library’s Business and IP Centre Network. Registration is free and the facilities are also free to use for members. Pictured (above) at the Open Day are, from the left: Martin Stone from GLL, Lorraine McQuillan from Bromley Council, with Philip Johnson and Dabira Falola from Start Up Bromley. To sign up or for more information see www.better.org.uk/start-up-bromley

Lee’s tip: Responding to criticism

If you find yourself having to deal with a complaint or negative feedback, consider the following: 1. Is this someone who you think should be your ideal client? 2. If yes, what has gone wrong with your process that they had a bad experience? 3. If no, then they are not your target audience and you should deal with them courteously and professionally, and learn to not target those type of customers.

While we should always be open to feedback that can help us improve our business, it is important that we don’t take all feedback on board and that we stay true to what we want our business to be. It is always hard to hear complaints of your business, but you have to weigh these comments up alongside your positive interactions and reviews. If more people like your business than criticise it, then you know that your business is sound - you have just sold to the wrong person on this occasion. Lee can be emailed at start@the-usp.co.uk or for details see www.the-usp.co.uk

Business Spotlight

Name: Compassion Homecare Location: Downe House, 303 High St, Orpington

The people behind the business:

Husband and wife team, Eniko and Tony Benfield. The background: Compassion Homecare celebrates its 10th anniversary next year. The company offers clients, mostly elderly, support at home including shopping, everyday tasks, personal care and medication management. It is also a nursemanaged company (Eniko is a registered nurse), meaning that they can offer clients both health care and social care at home, eliminating unnecessary admissions to hospital. What they are proud of: Their staff, whom Eniko says have “ploughed through the whole pandemic without any complaints and have really gone the extra mile and rolled their sleeves up, despite of all the changes in care needs”. The company has also taken on a new Care Coordinator and has expanded the team considerably despite the pandemic. Eniko has recently re-registered as a nurse, and over the last year the company has gone paperless and has introduced new technology including an online care system and app. This has enhanced the client experience by making it safer, and also gives family members peace of mind as they follow the care plan online in real time. Eniko says: “Having lived in Orpington for 30 years it’s wonderful to feel part of a community and we’re lucky that we are located at the stunning Downe House. We are always looking for people who are looking to join us in our venture in helping care for the elderly in our community. We offer flexible working and it’s a real feel-good opportunity.” Get in touch: Call 01689 825155, email office@compassionhomecare.co.uk or see compassionhomecare.co.uk

Cllr Hannah Gray, Mayor of Bromley 2020/21, has officially taken up the borough’s Small Business Champion post. We chat all things business and get the lowdown on what small businesses need to know…

Q: You’re familiar with the Small Business Champion post, having previously taken up the role for a couple of years - why did you agree to taking it up again?

I’m very passionate about small businesses and really feel we need to help them, especially after lockdown. When Yvonne Bear stepped down from the role (to step up as the chair of the Renewal, Recreation and Housing PDS Committee), I felt it had my name on it as I’ve done it before and I’m known within the business community.

Q: Can you give an overview of what being Small Business Champion entails and what your responsibilities are?

I liaise between small businesses and the council to make sure that the council knows what small businesses need and also make sure that small businesses know what the council is doing. It’s really making sure that people are properly informed as to what is going on and encouraged as much as possible. For example, there are new Startup Lounges in Orpington and Bromley libraries for small businesses, so I want to make sure that facilities like this exist for small businesses and get the word out about them. Another project that is being rolled out is Bromley’s partnership with Openreach to bring ultrafast full fibre broadband for homes and businesses in the borough. We will be one of London’s fastest boroughs for broadband in the first instance, which is very exciting.

Q: What message right now do you want to get across to small business owners?

I’d encourage small businesses to keep their eye on any help that is available to them from the borough, such as grants. One way of doing this is to sign up to the Bromley Business Newsletter and keep an eye on the website, which is constantly evolving. In addition, a new Economic Development Strategy for the borough has been confirmed. The plans, which are designed to support economic growth up to 2031, include help for businesses such as boosting opportunities for access to education and skills to ensure healthy employment in the future, as well as access to the right employment spaces to encourage enterprise and sustained growth.

To get in touch with Hannah directly, email hannah.gray@ bromley.gov.uk – and you can tune in to Hannah’s podcast (Hannah Gray Meets) at hannahgraymeets.podbean.com

Liberty’s is a local independent boutique,

located next to Lloyds Bank just off Orpington High Street.

We stock:

Italian fashion including silks in many colours & styles A range of clothing to suit sizes from 6-8 up to 22-24 A wide range of clothing, bags, jewellery and gifts Other products from small local businesses on the shelves, which make this boutique unique!