New support initiative for London's entrepreneurs

Young companies in London can develop the skills needed to stay afloat and grow thanks to a new service launched by the London Development Agency (LDA) this week.

The Business London: Start-Up and Micro Business Support and Skills Development Programme is a £9.9 million initiative that will generate 4,000 jobs and support 18,000 businesses across London by 2009. Targeting small businesses and entrepreneurs in their early stages, it will develop commercial skills by providing workshop training, seminars, one-to-one advice, networking events and organising conferences.

Manny Lewis, Chief Executive of the London Development Agency said:

“Figures show that businesses are most likely to fail in the first three years of activity. Through Business London we will equip young companies with the skills needed to survive and grow. We are delighted to support business in London and to help more people get jobs.”

Funded by the London Development Agency and the European Social Fund, this service to support entrepreneurial activity will be provided free of charge across all London boroughs, and will particularly help women, disabled people and Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority groups who face more difficulty in starting up new businesses and getting into employment.

The Business London programme will be delivered by a consortium of specialist business support agencies working in five hubs: Central, North, South, East and West London. By accessing the programme within any region, new enterprises can take advantage of a range of quality services which address their individual needs and will also strengthen the local business community.

Regional Contacts for Business London Programme:

Central London: GLE Alex Blakelock on 020 7403 0300 - www.enterprisecentral.co.uk

East London Small Business Centre Pauline Barnett on 020 7377 8821- www.goeast.org.

North London: Urban Futures 020 8352 5928 - www.pathwaystoenterprise.org.uk.

West London: West London Business (WLB): Paul Davies on 020 8607 2514 - www.westlondon.com.

South London: The Enterprise Zone: Barbara Harding on 020 8268 2855 - www.theenterprisezone.co.uk.