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How to Start a Business in Wandsworth

Free start-up resources and useful local contacts.

Improve your chances of success!

How to Start a Business in Wandsworth

Starting a business in Wandsworth

If you are thinking about starting a business in Wandsworth or would like to grow your existing business, we would love to help you.

Start Your Own Business in Wandsworth contains resources and the information that will help give your venture the best chance of success. It also highlights organisations who offer friendly advice and the services that you are likely to need as a new startup or local business owner.

Grants | Networking groups | Business advice | Mentoring | Co-working spaces

Starting a business in Wandsworth

Local help for startups

There is plenty of help for startups in Wandsworth but where can it be found?

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Local partners

We are happy to promote anyone who is prepared to offer friendly support to local start-ups.

Our local partners have been kind enough to help us and are keen to help you too.

Free Startup Resources

Getting it right from the start can help to prevent problems later.

To help you with this we have created a vast selection of resources and they are all completely free!

FREE startup workshops

If you are thinking about starting a business, our FREE three-hour ONLINE workshop is definitely for you!

Open to everyone, our sole aim is to increase your chances of success. We do that by explaining:

The reality of running a business; the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them; which legal status is likely to be most suitable; funding, grants and managing your money; business planning and cashflow forecasting; finding and keeping customers.

Latest articles

You don't know what you don't know!

The prospect of starting a new business can be incredibly exciting but should be approached with care. You have probably heard scary stories about how many start-ups fail in the early stages. You can make sure that you are not one of them by learning as much as possible before you launch. Over the years, we have collected lots of articles which will show you what has worked well for other start-ups and the putfalls to avoid.

Free Startup Guide

Start Your Own Business in Wandsworth

Download the 2024 edition of our Free Start Your Own Business guide

An interactive step-by-step guide which also includes all of the most important subjects covered in an easy-to-read way with links to useful online articles and relevant contacts.

The idea of starting your own business can be incredibly exciting and who can blame you for being tempted?

However, the sad truth is that far too many new enterprises fail in the early stages. Our aim is to make sure that you don't become one of them.

This guide explains the key start-up subjects in simple English.

There is also plenty of help available in the area and much of it is free - please do make the most of it.

Read more about what our Free guide contains and how you can download it.
Starting a business in Wandsworth

Key Contacts in Wandsworth

'You don't know what you don't know' is a phrase that is so applicable to starting a new business.

Wandsworth is a great place for start-ups but your chances of success are dramatically improved if you make the most of the support that is available locally. Click on logos to visit their websites.

Marketing

Wandsworth Business Directory and Guide
The Wandsworth Business Directory and Guide is a free comprehensive guide to diverse products and services available in Wandsworth. The publication, which is published in partnership with Burrows Communications, lists of 2,000 local businesses (online) and provides a useful overview of the borough and its economy, as well as useful summary of business-related Council services. It also explains why Wandsworth is such a great place to live, work, start and grow a business.
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Advice

Wandsworth Council Business Support
The business support page on Wandsworth.gov.uk contains information and links covering: business advice and support, Business Improvement Districts, The Wandsworth Business Directory and Guide, Open4Business, shop local, sources of finance, and Wandsworth Enterprise Hub events. The Town Hall, Wandsworth High Street, London, SW18 2PU
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Advice

Open4Business
The Wandsworth Open4Business e-newsletter provides you with regular updates and useful information to help your business succeed and thrive in Wandsworth. It is brought to you by the Economic Development Office.
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Advice

Wandsworth support programme
Branduin Business Support and the London Borough of Wandsworth work together to provide a support programme to businesses across the Borough. Branduin Business Support has been working with Wandsworth Chamber since 2013 to provide quality-assured business support, and is delighted to announce that we will be working with Wandsworth Council to deliver a range of free business support solutions to help businesses across the Borough to grow.
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Advice

Wandsworth Enterprise Hub
Supporting small businesses in Wandsworth. An online Gateway to business support. Established by Wandsworth Council’s Economic Development Office, the one-stop platform is designed to help and inspire entrepreneurs to start-up, reset and grow their Wandsworth business. We want to help local entrepreneurs realise their ambitions, and have partnered with a range of national, regional and local organisations and expert advisers to help deliver an exciting range of free support programmes, 1-1 advice, webinars and events. So whether you’re an established business looking to scale up, a new start-up, or an aspiring entrepreneur looking to turn your ideas into a reality, we hope that this platform can help sign-post you to the right type of support you need for your business.
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Advice

British Library – Business and IP Centre
The British Library IP Centre provides support to small business owners, entrepreneurs and inventors. You can access a collection of databases and publications for free and attend workshops and inspiring talks.
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Advice

Portobello Business Centre
Portobello Business Centre (PBC) is an independent non-profit organisation dedicated to helping individuals from all backgrounds start, grow, and sustain their businesses through the provision of affordable, high-quality, and confidential support delivered by an innovative and professional team.
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Networking

Earlsfield Business Network
Earlsfield Business Network Earlsfield Business Network is part of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce - When you join Wandsworth Chamber you are automatically part of the Earlsfield Business Network as well. Be part of the thriving business community in Wandsworth and through this network, focus on improving trade in Earlsfield, celebrating the best in Earlsfield and promoting a 'Shop Local' agenda. With your help and a collaborative spirit we will all achieve so much more, together. Alex Wyatt, Wandsworth Oasis, is the Chairman and driving force for Earlsfield Business Network. If you are an Earlsfield business please email us on earlsfieldbusinessnetwork@gmail.com or speak to Alex on 07769 295512 or myself and find out how we can promote your business and commerce in Earlsfield together.
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Networking

Find Networking Events in Wandsworth
Find Networking Events is a major national website dedicated to listing networking events by area. If you are looking for events or planning to run one in Wandsworth, this may well help.
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Networking

Wandsworth Chamber
Wandsworth Chamber is a great place for start-ups and scale-ups to showcase their businesses, get friendly advice and generate more leads. The more established businesses and our Patron members are already dedicated to supporting our community and championing local business engagement through active participation at hosted events, meetings and through shared corporate social responsibility strategies. Our local knowledge gained through participation in numerous steering groups, town centre meetings, council initiatives, events and collaborations, is not only helpful to our members but also places the chamber as a key influencer and voice for business in the borough, helping to protect the interests of commerce and shape the future. WANDSWORTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Studio F8 (Le Bureau), Battersea Studios, 80 Silverthorne Road, London SW8 3HE
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Advice

Shop Local
If you are in need of a particular product or service, or want to find out more about the independent shops in your local area, view the Wandsworth specialist independent shops directory (pdf, 6 MB). Visit the My Virtual Wandsworth online directory to find out which independent shops, cafes and restaurants in the borough are providing click and collect, takeaway or trading online. In addition to shopping locally, there are plenty of other easy things you can do to show your support. If you are a local business owner, visit the Wandsworth Enterprise Hub for advice, support and events for your business.
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Advice

Feee Tailored Advice
The advice clinics which are running as part of the Wandsworth Enterprise Hub are pre-booked 45 minute, confidential sessions, are aimed at business owners as well as those thinking of starting a business. Attendees will have the opportunity to pick the brain of a business expert about any challenges they are facing in their business or how to go about setting up a business.
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Advice

London Business Hub (wandsworth)
London Borough of Wandsworth provides advice, support and information to startups and established firms in Wandsworth. Business support Wandsworth Council lists the business support services available to startups and small firms in the borough. Website: https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/business-and-licensing/business-support/ London Borough of Wandsworth provides advice and guidance on business continuity planning. Website: https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/environment/emergency-planning/ Financial support Wandsworth Council lists sources of finance available to business and non-profit organisations. Website: https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/business-and-licensing/business-support/sources-of-finance-for-businesses/ Business premises Wandsworth Council provides information on council-owned premises available to rent or buy. Website: https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/business-and-licensing/business-premises/finding-business-premises/
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Office Services

Laura Brown – Virtual Assistant
There are many reasons you may require the services of a virtual assistant. Perhaps your business is growing and you find yourself bogged down with tasks and unable to find the time to dedicate to growing your business. Or you have some tasks that are time consuming and you would just rather not do them yourself . Or maybe you simply loathe administration and would be happy for someone to take it off your hands. I am highly organised, proactive and efficient and I love to really get involved and see the difference a bit of help can make. Your business is successful but without the time to take advantage of its full potential it’s not moving forward. That’s where a virtual assistant comes in. You only pay for the hours you need which is really cost effective as there is no PAYE, equipment, pension, sick days to pay for.
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Networking

The Lonely Middle Club - From Startup Hive
Starting a business is exciting, and succeeding is rewarding, but what about the bit between? You know, that bit that’s full of self-doubt, endless repetition and feelings of being out of your comfort zone? We call it ‘The Lonely Middle’ and it’s one of the hardest parts of creating a successful business. We know, we’ve been there. So, we created The Lonely Middle Club to help you through it. Each month you get exclusive content to help give you the knowledge and inspiration to succeed. Plus, you get access to a private members-only Facebook group where you can get advice and network with small business owners who are going through similar challenges to you. If you want even more, you can download our 51 worksheets, guides, and journals all designed to do one thing, and one thing only… help you get through ‘The Lonely Middle’ and achieve your business goals. Visit our website today to join the club and benefit from our members price lock and full no questions asked money-back guarantee.
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Advice

Wandsworth Business Support and Advice
Wandsworth is set on the south bank of the River Thames. It is Londons ninth biggest borough in terms of population and the third biggest inner London borough, in terms of geographical area. A mid-2016 population estimate for the borough was 318,100. Of any London borough, Wandsworth has the lowest rate of unemployment (2017), as well as the 2nd lowest rate of low-paid local employees. Further information, such as mid-year population estimate data, future population trends and projections, the boroughs employment and business statistics and more can be obtained from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), Greater London Authority (GLA) and London Datastore. Open4Business e-newsletter Get information to help your business succeed. Subscribe to the service to receive a monthly business e-newsletter by email.
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Networking

Wandsworth Chamber
Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce is a long established membership organisation that connects, supports, promotes and helps our local businesses to grow. We encourage business membership to promote a buy local economy and so that together we can influence with more weight and make Wandsworth a better place to Work, Live and Play.
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Start-up articles

100's of free startup articles

We have created a collection of 100s of startup articles to help anyone with whatever stage they are on with their business journey. Hundreds of thousands of people have gone before you and we can learn from what they got right and avoid the things that have been proved not to work so well.

You can see the full list of 'articles' at: How to start a business