Advice to business

Advice to business

A summary of the different support organisations available to local businesses.

• Business Link in London (tel 0845 6000 787, www.businesslink.gov.uk/london opens in new window)
provides free on-going support, advice and a wide range of products and services to start-ups and growing businesses in London either directly or by introducing the businesses to other sources of free or paid-for support.

• BNI (Business Network International) / Business Exchange BNI provides a structured, supportive, business environment in which local business people can get together to network, learn valuable new marketing skills and develop the strong personal relationships. Email: debbie@itude.co.uk or john@fulhampodiatry.co.uk for more information.

• Greater London Enterprise (tel 020 7403 0300, www.gle.co.uk opens in new window) specialises in providing advice and finance for small companies including a range of loans, factoring services and venture capital. Funding is also available to support joint ventures with small & medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) abroad.

• Groundwork London (tel 020 8743 3040, www.groundwork-london.org.uk opens in new window) Provides practical environmental advice to help businesses reduce costs, improve their environmental performance and thereby demonstrate their commitment to employees and customers. As an independent local charity working with businesses, public bodies and the community, Groundwork aims to bring about environmental improvements by addressing social, physical and economic regeneration.

• Hammersmith & Fulham Chamber of Commerce (tel 020 8840 6332, www.hfchamber.co.uk opens in new window) is the premier membership organisation for businesses of all types and sizes trading in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and beyond. The Chamber provides a forum and a strong local voice for businesses and professionals, and aims to increase their competitiveness by promoting the sharing of information on business issues and encouraging trading between members. 

• Park Royal Partnership Group  a privately owned business membership and urban regeneration agency formed in 1992. They are committed to the promotion of the economic development and sustainability of Park Royal, Europe’s largest industrial estate. For more information about the PRP corporate and SME membership,
contact Park Royal Partnership, tel: 020 3110 2381, email: membership@parkroyal.org

• Urban Partnership Group is a local regeneration agency which specialises in social enterprise – see Social enterprise support programmes page for more details.

• West London Business (tel 020 8607 2500, www.westlondon.com opens in new window) works to increase the economic competitiveness of the area by providing a forum for businesses to network more effectively, lobby government on business issues and secure government funding to be used by and on behalf of west London businesses. WLB is a membership organisation funded through subscriptions and third party income, with over 300 business members including world brands such as BAA and GlaxoSmithKline. It offers conferencing facilities and a property and inward investment service for its members. 

Filming in Hammersmith & Fulham
The Borough is in high demand for location filming. The film location officer, Janet Potter, advises film-makers and location managers on getting the correct permissions and co-operation from the different council departments. Janet can also provide expert technical advice and help with the shoot, as well as sorting out the negotiation of fees, invoices and indemnity forms. Contact Janet Potter on 020 8753 2171. Visit the filming website at www.lbhf.gov.uk/filming

Banks

You will need to open a business banking account. Most of the high street banks have trained business advisors to help you through those critical early stages. For further information click on the links below:

Barclays Bank
NatWest
Lloyds TSB
The Royal Bank of Scotland
HSBC
Abbey National
Bank of Scotland
Woolwich

You will probably also need the services of a solicitor and an accountant. Many people choose this service on recommendation from a friend or work colleague, or check out local services in Hammersmith and Fulham at www.yell.co.uk

You can also find an accountant at: www.icaewfirms.co.uk