Thousands of London Firms Supported to Beat Downturn

The London Development Agency (LDA) continues to assist the capital’s firms to get them through economic downturn.

Advice and support on how to beat the downturn will be available to nearly 2,000 business people attending clinics run by Barclays which complement work put in place through the Mayor of London’s Economic Recovery Action Plan.

LDA support for the latest seminars held across London is the latest effort to keep London working.

Hundreds of small and medium-sized business owners who attended previous seminars organised by KPMG and Deloitte and supported by the LDA are now better equipped to deal with the economic downturn – part of the LDA’s drive to keep London working.

Sarah Ebanja, Deputy Chief Executive of the London Development Agency, said:

“Small businesses are vital to London’s economy – even more so during a downturn. Major companies like Barclays are in a position to help their smaller counterparts, providing the latest information and best advice to prosper in the current economic climate.”

Barclays is scheduled to run nearly 150 seminars in London this year in its Let’s Talk campaign, tailored to three business areas:

• Business Ideas – for people thinking about starting up: how to make it happen;
• Starting in Business – for those about to set up: including how to write business plans, obtain finance and manage cash flow;
• Survive and Thrive - how to look after your customers and making a profit.

The Business Ideas and Starting in Business seminars will be run in conjunction with the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies.

Barclays has reached thousands of London businesses in events already held.

Steve Cooper, Managing Director of Barclays Local Business, said:

"The challenges facing business today are very real. It’s vital that businesses have access to the right information and education. In the past three years, we have provided training to more than 40,000 business owners, giving them the essential skills to run a successful and profitable business.

“The training and seminars give businesses a brilliant networking opportunity. We are absolutely delighted with the support of the LDA in helping us support business through this difficult period.”

The LDA recently updated its business advice programme, “Keeping London Working” and produced the 2012 Business Guide aimed at making the most of business opportunities in the run-up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Keeping London Working” will also be placed in libraries, town halls and Jobcentre Plus offices, and promoted business support organisations across London.

Overall, the LDA’s support for business in London is worth around £170m a year. In December, a £23.4 million package of public sector support for small businesses in the capital was announced.

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Notes to Editors:

* The London Development Agency aims to improve the quality of life for all Londoners, working to create jobs, develop skills and promote economic growth.
* Barclays has confirmed the following seminars to be held in the next few months:
* Let talk’s Business Ideas – for people thinking about starting up:
1 April HBV Enterprise Centre, 34-38 Dalston Lane, HACKNEY
23 April Enfield Business Centre, 201 Hertford Rd, ENFIELD
14 May Brent Business Venture Ltd, Monarch House, Victoria Road, BRENT
10 June HBV Enterprise Centre, 34-38 Dalston Lane, HACKNEY
22 June Enfield Business Centre, 201 Hertford Rd, ENFIELD
24 June Brent Business Venture Ltd, Monarch House, Victoria Road, BRENT
5 August HBV Enterprise Centre, 34-38 Dalston Lane, HACKNEY
* Let’s Talk Starting in Business – for those about to set up:
21 March Enfield Business Centre, 201 Hertford Rd, ENFIELD
25 March Argyle House, 29-31 Euston Road, EUSTON
25 March Harrow in Business, Enterprise House, 297 Pinner Road, HARROW
30 March Enfield Business Centre, 201 Hertford Rd, ENFIELD
21 April Brent Business Venture Ltd, Monarch House, Victoria Road, BRENT
21 April Enfield Business Centre, 201 Hertford Rd, ENFIELD
22 April Harrow in Business, Enterprise House, 297 Pinner Road, HARROW
12 May Enfield Business Centre, 201 Hertford Rd, ENFIELD
13 May HBV Enterprise Centre, 34-38 Dalston Lane, HACKNEY
19 May Enfield Business Centre, 201 Hertford Rd, ENFIELD
20 May Harrow in Business, Enterprise House, 297 Pinner Road, HARROW
27 May Brent Business Venture Ltd, Monarch House, Victoria Road, BRENT
2 June Enfield Business Centre, 201 Hertford Rd, ENFIELD
23 June Enfield Business Centre, 201 Hertford Rd, ENFIELD
8 July HBV Enterprise Centre, 34-38 Dalston Lane, HACKNEY
8 July Brent Business Venture Ltd, Monarch House, Victoria Road, BRENT
14 July Enfield Business Centre, 201 Hertford Rd, ENFIELD
* Let’s Talk Survive and Thrive – More Profit
20 May Hilton Wembley Plaza, Empire Way, WEMBLEY
18 June Upton Park football stadium, Green Street, UPTON PARK
23 June Glaziers Hall, 9 Montague Close, LONDON BRIDGE
* Let’s Talk Survive and Thrive – Bright Marketing
24 June Novotel London West, 1 Shortlands, HAMMERSMITH
* For more information on the seminars and how to book, call 08456 010106.