Havering up for award

Havering is shortlisted for the “Best All Round Small Business Friendly Borough” at the awards ceremony that will be held at the Kingsway Hall Hotel in London on Thursday 30 March.

Havering has over 10,000 active businesses with 94% of them classed as micro businesses and research by the credit-scoring company Experian in 2015 found that Romford ranked the highest town in terms of the percentage of fast-growing companies and for the increase in the number of incorporated businesses.

Since April 2015 Havering has supported more than 200 start-up businesses, held more than  40 workshops and networking meetings, launched three new affordable workspaces and held annual prestigious business awards events.

The Council has also introduced a prompt payment code designed to be ensure that all suppliers are paid within 30 days and small and micro businesses paid immediately, provided they use the Council’s online procurement system.
 
Councillor Jason Frost, Havering Council’s Deputy Lead Member for Economic Development said:

“We are delighted to have been shortlisted, as it demonstrates the ongoing commitment the Council has to supporting our local businesses.  Havering has a great entrepreneurial spirit and I know officers at the Council are doing all they can to nurture and develop that.

“A particularly exciting development over the last year has been the establishment of affordable workspace for new businesses at The Retailery in Romford’s Market Place, The Workary at Rainham Library, and the CEME Launchpad. I’m confident that these workspaces will help maintain our borough’s position as the UK’s start-up capital.”