Support for London Businesses

Impartial guidance and tips to support London-based businesses of all shapes and sizes. Learn more about what help is available to you, how to apply for funding, and essential steps to help your business start and grow.

Support for London Based Businesses

Are you running a business in London?

Running your own business can be exciting and rewarding, but we know that despite all the people around you, you can sometimes feel completely on your own.

So where can you turn to find support? That’s why we created Eye on London.

We’re an online hub providing support for London’s businesses, to help you find the information and guidance you need.

Are you running a small business in London
Where can London-based businesses find help?
There are lots of organisations offering information and support. London Business Hub gives advice to all types of businesses, along with regular networking events so you can meet like-minded people, share ideas, and find opportunities in your local community.
You can also check out your local Chamber of Commerce, who help businesses of all shapes and sizes. Their networking directory will help you make contacts across the London business community. Other local organisations can help too, especially on a local level. Contact your local council to see what support they offer business owners in your area.

Finance and support

Finding support for your business can be really tough, but there are resources out there. Check out LEAP (The Local Enterprise Partnership for London) to find help and advice on applying for funds like The Greater London Investment Fund.
You can also attend online events for help with a huge range of topics, such as finding grants for your business, how to raise the money you need, or tips on developing a fundraising strategy. This will help you understand what’s out there in terms of grants and financial support, and how you can apply for it.
Finance and support for businesses
If you’re a small business in London, you can look at applying for a small business grant. Always check GOV.UK to see if there’s any finance and support for your business, and subscribe to their mailing list so you never miss out.

Other resources

How do I write a business plan?

If your mind is flowing with ideas, but your brain blanks every time you go to write a business plan, don’t worry! It’s completely normal. Firstly, take a breather and don’t panic at all the white space on your screen. To write an effective business plan, you’ll need to map out the following:

Executive summary

This is a summary of all the info you’ll cover in your plan, including your ideas, your future plans, and how you aim to get there.

Business description

This goes into more detail about products and services, your target audience, and what makes you stand out from other competition.

Financial details

Include information about current sales and costs, a cash flow forecast, and what your future plans are. Always make sure the goals are realistic!

Use of funds

Explain each source of funding, income, and how you plan to use it. For instance when applying for grants, make notes about this.

FAQ's

Setting up a new business is super exciting, so congratulations! But now you’ve come up with the business name, what’s next? You’ll need to register your new business, and the process for this depends on what type of business structure it is that you use.

Learn more about registering a business

This is often the first decision to make in a new business, and has long-term implications for how tax efficient you are. There are pros and cons to every type of business structure, depending on your individual circumstance.

Check out GOV UK for advice on the different types of business structures.

Choosing an accountant can be a bit daunting, as most major decisions tend to be. There are a few things to consider when searching for an accountant.

Some people prefer to meet their accountants face to face, but if you’re looking for an accountant that’s going to be perfect for you, sticking to your local high-street might slim down your options.

Online accountants might be a good alternative, offering the same standard of accounting services, but with an infrastructure set up for online delivery.  

If you’re a sole trader or contractor, you’ll probably find a smaller firm is better suited to you. If you’re a large business with different needs, a larger firm may be more suitable.

Always shop around, read reviews, and ask similar businesses to you what they’d recommend.

Check out sites like Trustpilot to see how current/previous customers feel about the service they’ve received. There’s always going to be some negative feedback, especially if it’s a larger firm. But if the bad is outweighing the good, it may be advisable to have a look elsewhere.

Check out our guide to changing accountants

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