Ealing Council is encouraging people struggling to start-up or expand their companies in the recession to attend a series of events to help small businesses.
On Wednesday, 24 June entrepreneurs can get help to diagnose business problems and find ways of growing their business despite the downturn at an event run in partnership with Business Link. And on Friday, 26 June business people can find out more about the financial options open to them, including how to apply for Government-funded loans, at an event run in conjunction with GLE oneLondon. Both events are being hosted by the council at its offices at Perceval House.
A wide range of businesses attended a previous event in December, including printers, recruitment consultants and cleaners. Two local businesses were successful in receiving loans of £10,000 and £15,000 from GLE oneLondon, which specialises in lending to businesses that have difficulty obtaining finance from banks. They offer loans from £1,000 to £250,000 to both new and existing businesses and also offer business-planning support.
Small business owners are also being reminded that they could be eligible for rate relief. Businesses using premises with a rateable value of less than £21,500 should be eligible to pay less and those with a rateable value of less than £5,000 may receive a discount of up to 50 per cent. In most cases the business must occupy no more than one property to qualify for relief, but there are some exceptions to this rule.
Traders and owners of small businesses are being encouraged to call the council’s business rates team on 020 8825 7020 to find out if they could qualify for a discount or click on business on our homepage to find out more.
Councillor David Millican, Member for Regeneration and Transport, said: "I regularly meet with owners of small businesses across the borough and I know these are tough times. They tell me that they need relief from business rates and need support to survive and grow in the current economic climate."
