Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the Royal Borough of Greenwich will be able to benefit from face-to-face Brexit preparation advice, on their doorstep, as Woolwich Centre Library was announced as one of the Mayor of London’s nine new London Growth Hub centres. 

The London Growth Hubs will offer advice and resources, and a series of events taking place throughout October to help small business leaders take the basic steps they need to prepare for the impact of Brexit on areas such as import and export arrangements, EU staff, and potential changes to contracts and insurance.

Cllr Denise Hyland, Cabinet Member for Economy, Skills and Apprenticeships, said:

"The country is going through an unprecedented period of uncertainty. The Council is working with partners including the Mayor of London and London’s local enterprise partnership to help small and medium-sized enterprises in our borough prepare for Brexit.

"I would urge all local SMEs to take advantage of the help and guidance available from the London Growth Hub when it opens at Woolwich Centre Library on 1 November. Seeking advice may prevent problems further down the line, so take advantage of this session whilst it’s on offer at no cost."

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:

"Brexit is a disaster for London and one of the biggest risks of a hard or no-deal Brexit is that the majority of small businesses remain unprepared.

"The Government has failed to provide any kind of certainty or the information and resources that entrepreneurs and businesses need. That’s why I’m stepping up the advice and support available from City Hall during this important period.

"The London Growth Hub is a vital resource for SMEs – and whether you need help with Brexit preparation, or other challenges facing your business, I urge all of London’s entrepreneurs to make use of the brilliant new business advice centres we are establishing across the city."

Launched in 2017 and delivered by LEAP, London’s local enterprise partnership, the London Growth Hub brings together the capital’s vast business support offer into a single online resource – and is now being expanded to offer in-person support as well.
  
According to a recent survey by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), only nine per cent of London business leaders polled say their business is prepared for a no-deal Brexit and nearly a fifth say they require support in planning for one.

London Growth Hub locations

From November 1, the new London Growth Hub service will start to operate across four sites: 

• Woolwich Library (Greenwich);
• Sussex Innovation Centre (Croydon);
• Huddle (Hammersmith and Fulham);
• 639 Community Enterprise Hub (Haringey); and
• Tintagel House (Lambeth).

Further support will be available from four satellite locations at:

• Wood Green Library (Haringey);
• Civic Centre (Harrow);
• 3 Space International Brixton (Lambeth); and
• Ilford Library (Redbridge).

Sign up to the Council’s business e-alert service to receive updates about workshops and drop-in sessions.