Westminster City Council

Westminster City Hall 64 Victoria Street London SW1E 6QP

westminster.gov.uk/business @CityWestminster

2015-2016

BusinessWestminster

Information and support for your business

Handbook

Business ratesYour guide to business rates, how to pay, e-billing and more

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Council services From commercial waste to licensing, find the council services available for your business

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Business supportThe organisations and services in Westminster that can help your business succeed

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Promote your businessDiscover new, low-cost opportunities to promote your business

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Get involved in the communityFind ways to create links with your local community

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Contents

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Dear business rate payer,The economic health of the UK and of Westminster are inextricably linked.

Businesses based in Westminster together contribute more to the UK economy than those in any other local authority, reflected in our Gross Value Added of some £55.7 billion in 2014. We have 665,000 people employed here and a more diverse range of businesses than any other city in the UK, with nearly 7,000 start-ups a year.

Ensuring that Westminster works well for business is crucial and a core part of our programme for governing the city. Over the coming year we want to work more closely with you to make sure that the council rises to this challenge.

We want to help businesses of whatever size and scale flourish in this city, benefiting the economy, community, creating local jobs and skilling up the local workforce. We want to make it easier for businesses to interact with the council when they need to and to see us as a partner to help them grow and develop, not simply regulate and refuse.

In 2015 we will continue to work with the West End Partnership on new plans to encourage and support small businesses to grow and remain in the heart of the capital. We are extending our successful Recruit London jobs brokerage scheme which provides employers with a free recruitment service and helps residents secure jobs in the centre of London. Our Growth Deal pilot with other central London boroughs is piloting new ways to support the unemployed. Last year we supported 600 local people to get into work through our schemes.

In June 2014 the SohoCreate festival, which we co-founded, brought together 1,000 key people from the cultural and media industries. We are planning to make the event even bigger in 2015, further emphasising the international status of this sector which clusters at the heart of the West End.

This year we will continue to make the case for a fairer financial deal for Westminster from the government, adding our voice to the case for business rate reform. Our procurement team will continue to engage with small businesses to improve opportunities to supply goods and services to the council.

Finally, we will ensure that the voice of business is heard across the council by strengthening our numerous partnerships with business organisations, including the Business Improvement Districts. We will also be setting up a ‘Business Concierge’ service to help businesses to navigate their way through our services.

Westminster City Council is here for you. If you have any ideas or feedback please contact me at any time using the details below.

Introduction

Councillor Daniel Astaire Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration, Business and Economic Development business@westminster.gov.uk

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Non-domestic rates, otherwise known as business rates, is the tax levied on non-domestic properties.

Westminster City Council collects around £1.8 billion in business rates each year from its 35,000 non-domestic properties. However the council currently only retains a small proportion, around £74 million or 4%. The majority goes to central government, whilst 20% is passed to the Greater London Authority.

View and pay your business rates onlineIt’s quick and easy to view your business rates balance online. The most convenient way to pay is by direct debit and you can apply online at

westminster.gov.uk/paying-your-business-rates

You can also pay online using your debit card, over the phone or by bank transfer. If you’re new to Westminster, or moving out, let us know online. You can also switch to paper-free billing or apply for exemptions and relief.

westminster.gov.uk/businessrates

Business rates

Sign up to our business enewsletter Filled with the latest business news, special offers, training and networking opportunities, the business enewsletter will provide you with the information you need to promote and grow your business in Westminster.

westminster.gov.uk/business-e-newsletter

Businesses in Westminster can access thousands of pounds worth of company information, UK and international market reports, advice on business planning and more at Business Information Points in Westminster libraries. Visit westminster.gov.uk/bip

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Business rates Pay your business rates online, notify us of a change of address and apply for exemptions and relief.

Commercial waste and recycling Sign up to our commercial waste service, order more bags and find out how to dispose of bulky items.

Food safety Register your food business with the council, report a concern about food safety and sign up for food safety training.

Health and safety Report health and safety concerns, sign up for training courses and find the latest advice.

Licensing Apply for a licence and pay your annual fee.

Noise Report noise concerns and find the permitted hours at which work can be carried out.

Parking Apply for a trade parking permit, parking bay suspensions and skip licences.

Pest control Request advice and treatment to get rid of insects, rodents and other potential health hazards.

Planning Apply for planning permission and comment on planning applications.

Special events Apply to film or hold an event.

Street cleaning Find your street’s cleaning schedule and report any street cleaning issues.

Street trading Become a licensed market trader and apply for a tables and chairs licence.

Trading standards Get advice and guidance on consumer protection legislation affecting your business and protect your business from scams.

For information on all council services for businesses visit westminster.gov.uk/business or call our dedicated business line on 020 7641 7000.

Council services

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Promote your business

Promote your business or service to 54,000 residents who have a Westminster City Save card.

Over 400 businesses and leading attractions across Westminster and London have already provided fantastic offers and great savings to Westminster residents as part of the council’s award-winning Westminster City Save scheme.

Promote your business for free, whether it’s a new service, event or existing offer. Increase enquiries, sales, web hits and attendees at events, and choose the terms and conditions that suit you.

Provide an offer or discount to Westminster residents and your business could be seen by:

60,000 subscribers to our fortnightly enewsletter

34,000 visitors to the Westminster City Save website each month

12,000 followers on social media

thousands of households across Westminster that subscribe to our publications.

westminster.gov.uk/citysave

Last year we received over 7,000 visitors to the site from Westminster City Save and took over £1,700 in revenue in our first week.” Theatre People

Offers in your areaINTERESTED IN OFFERING A DISCOUNT BUT FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY?

Promote a short-term offer, such as an event, show or new product, to Westminster residents as part of the council’s Value for Money Friday scheme. Every Friday the council highlights special offers available to all residents, not just those with a Westminster City Save card - a great way to promote your business.

westminster.gov.uk/vfm

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Business support

Co-working spaces

Great Western Studios Affordable small business workspace and studio space in West London for creative industry businesses. The building is made up of 104 studios as well as communal access to the garden and courtyard.

greatwesternstudios.com @GW_Studios 65 Alfred Road, W2 5EU

Impact Hub Westminster Flexible workspace with over 200 hot-desking spaces, a library and dedicated meeting rooms. Located minutes from Trafalgar Square, Impact Hub Westminster also hosts events and programmes to provide on-going learning and networking opportunities for its members.

westminster.impacthub.net @HubWestminster 1st Floor, New Zealand House, 80 Haymarket, SW1Y 4TE

Maida Hill Place A unique space for food entrepreneurs with a fully-equipped kitchen and event space, as well as a training and networking programme. Run or test a food business idea without the overheads that a normal food business set-up would incur.

maidahillplace.co.uk @MaidaHillPlace 4 Fernhead Road, W9 3ET

TrueStart If you have an innovative product, service or business in the retail or consumer sector you can apply to join the TrueStart programme. Successful applicants gain access to office space, retail space and financial investment in return for an equity stake in their business.

truestart.co.uk @TrueStartUK Francis House, 11 Francis Street, SW1P 1DE

Creative industries

SohoCreate Soho is the most creative square mile in the world and SohoCreate is a major new festival championing, celebrating and showcasing Soho’s creativity. In 2015 the festival will run from 3rd–7th June with talks from some of the country’s leading creatives, events, workshops and more.

sohocreate.co.uk @SohoCreate

Report problems in your area online at westminster.gov.uk/report-it

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Business support

Expertise and networking

Business Improvement Districts A BID is an area in which local businesses have voted to work together to create a more appealing environment and decide how to jointly market the local area. Contact your local BID to discover how your business could benefit.

westminster.gov.uk/westminsterbids

Business Information Points Located in libraries across Westminster, Business Information Points provide a range of free, high-quality resources to help you develop and build your business. Access market research databases including Mintel, regular events and workshops with guest speakers, and fantastic networking opportunities.

westminster.gov.uk/bip @WCCLibraries

Federation of Small Businesses The FSB promotes and protects the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. Members receive benefits including networking events, legal protection insurance and a financial health check.

fsb.org.uk/benefits @FSB_Policy

London Chamber of Commerce Representing the interests of thousands of companies, the London Chamber of Commerce connects over 500,000 business people every year.

londonchamber.co.uk @LondonChamber

National business support initiatives Connect to expert advice and sources of information to help you build and grow your business through the government’s Great Business programme. You can also find more information on the Growth Voucher programme which helps companies find and pay for professional strategic advice.

greatbusiness.gov.uk @BusinessisGreat

Westminster Business Council A membership organisation helping businesses to grow through meetings with potential clients, industry insights, networking and mentoring. Companies with a turnover of less than one million a year can apply for free membership.

westminsterbc.org.uk @WestminsterBC

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Westminster Enterprise Centre Free and low-cost business training, workshops and qualified business advisers providing confidential, one-to-one business advice. Meeting rooms are also available for hire.

westminster-enterprise.org.uk @EnterpriseW9

Finance and grants

Connection vouchers Small and medium businesses can get a grant of up to £3,000 for faster, better broadband through the government’s Broadband Connection Vouchers scheme.

westminster.gov.uk/broadband @DCMS

Creative Industry Finance Free expert business advice and access to loan finance from £2,500 to over £2.5 million for creative enterprises.

creativeindustryfinance.org.uk @CIFinance

London Business Angels One of Europe’s leading angel investment networks connecting fast growth technology companies to equity finance.

lbangels.co.uk @LondonBAngels

London Co-Investment Fund A new fund that will invest over £80 million in over 150 science, technology or digital companies that are committed to creating jobs in London.

lcif.co @Capital_List

Start Up Loans Work with Start Up Loans’ partners to develop a business plan before securing a loan to build your business. Once you have your loan you’ll also be given access to an expert mentor, free training courses and business offers.

startuploans.co.uk @StartUpLoansUK

Tendering for council services

capitalEsourcing Stay on top of opportunities to supply services, goods or works to the council, as well as other London boroughs, by registering your company‘s details with capitalEsourcing.

capitalesourcing.com

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Green growth

Cycling courses Help your employees cycle with confidence with free one-to-one City Cycle courses and bike checks.

westminster.gov.uk/cycling

Electric vehicles Electric vehicles benefit from free parking and no congestion charge in Westminster. Find out how electric vehicles could benefit your business by trialling a Nissan LEAF or Nissan e-NV200 for two weeks, completely free of charge or obligation.

westminster.gov.uk/ electric-vehicles

Recruitment

Apprenticeships Taking on an apprentice can bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to your business. The London Apprenticeship Company will support you to recruit, fund and train a junior member of staff aged 16-24.

londonapprenticeship.co.uk @LDNapprentice

Recruit London Get help finding the right candidates for your business with Recruit London, who will organise the screening and training of candidates as well as continued mentoring once they have started work.

crossriverpartnership.org/projects/recruit-london

@CrossRiverPartn

Training

Bespoke corporate training The council offers professional training courses in food safety, health and safety, licensing and more to equip you and your team with the knowledge to protect your customers and business. Online and bespoke courses are also available.

westminster.gov.uk/training-programme

Westminster Adult Education Service WAES is Westminster’s adult college offering tailored, affordable training programmes, workplace learning and apprenticeships to help small and medium businesses upskill their workforce.

waes.ac.uk @WAESonline

Business support

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Adult learningin the heart of Westminster

We are Westminster’s adult college, offering high-quality, affordable training programmes to help small and medium businesses upskill their workforces.

From apprenticeships and workplace learning to tailored training programmes,

our services help you overcome tomorrow’s business challenges.

For more information visit www.waes.ac.uk/employers, call 020 7641 8186 or e-mail workandlearn@waes.ac.uk

Find us at 219 Lisson Grove London NW8 8LW

WAESadvert.indd 1 09/02/2015 16:13

Westminster City Council

Westminster City Hall 64 Victoria Street London SW1E 6QP

CYCLING INWESTMINSTER

BE A CYCLE FRIENDLY EMPLOYER WITH FREE EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING

Visit westminster.gov.uk/cycling-businesses

Receive funding credits to make your business more cycle friendly

Reduce your organisation’s carbon emissions

Have a healthier and happier workforce

Save your employees money and time on their commute.

westminster.gov.uk/cycling-businesses

Get involved in the community

Connect with community organisations Business in the Community works with businesses to tackle some of the key issues facing London, from raising aspirations of young people, to supporting disadvantaged groups of people find employment and aiding the growth of social enterprises. Business Connectors will work with you to build partnerships between your business and community organisations to address these issues.

bitc.org.uk/london

Encourage your staff to volunteer Supporting employee volunteering could strengthen your business, motivate staff and make a real difference to the local community. One Westminster offers a brokerage service that helps anyone who lives, works or studies in the city to find the right placement for them. Your organisation could also benefit from offering volunteering opportunities, helping someone build their skills and prepare for employment.

volunteer.co.uk

Mentor a young person Do you have a couple of hours a week to help a young person in Westminster get a better start in life? The Boost Mentoring scheme matches young people with trained mentors who help them develop, achieve and succeed. Mentors are given three months training and commit to meeting once a week with their mentees for at least six months. For more information contact

fsadiq@westminster.gov.uk

There are lots of opportunities to get involved with your community in Westminster, enhance your company’s reputation and boost staff engagement.

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