LDA helps Brick Lane businesses take first steps in Olympic race

Today businesses in the Brick Lane area will learn about the opportunities available to them as a result of the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

The London Development Agency (LDA) run event - called ’Put your business in the race’ - will provide an overview of the Games and give practical advice on how businesses can make the most of the opportunities.

Tom Travers, Head of Olympic Opportunity at the LDA, said: “Brick Lane holds a unique place in the hearts and minds of both Londoners and tourists. By tailoring support to its diverse community not only will businesses large and small benefit, but so too will the thousands of people that visit before, during and after the Games.”

Around 100 people have signed up for the event which will feature presentations and stands offering financial and business advice to small businesses.

In the run up to the Games, the LDA will provide business support in the following areas:

-Accessing Olympic contracts - providing information on up-coming contracting and subcontracting opportunities and helping businesses become fit-for-supply and to establish business partnerships.
-Attracting visitors - marketing and tourism initiatives to highlight the attractions of East London to local and international visitors alike, including producing maps of the area and promoting East London in visitor guides and international tourism magazines.
-Skills development - training programmes to help ensure good business practices, such as health and safety and customer service.
-Better business premises - working with local councils to improve and dress-up business premises including better shop fronts and disabled access.
John Biggs, London Assembly member for City and East, said: “We want to ensure that everyone in London’s diverse businesses community can benefit from the 2012 Games. ’Put your business in the race’ is a chance to learn how businesses in east London can make the most of the Games from an early stage.”

The event was arranged by the LDA following a report by Agroni in 2006 which found that many businesses in the area wanted to know more about the opportunities available to them.

Helal Rahman, Director of Bangla City supermarket, said:“The 2012 Olympics is a once in a lifetime opportunity for businesses in East London. It could transform our livelihood provided that we have access to the right services and opportunities. The ’put your businesses in the race’ event will be a good starting point from which we can move forward.”