REGENERATION
Open for business
There are more than 11,000 businesses in the
borough. The council offers them support in
a variety of ways. Could it help you?
N
ew start-up businesses
and entrepreneurs have
been helped by providing
co-working spaces and
temporary pop-up shops, and also help
to find permanent premises; and small
businesses have been given a wide range
of advice, as well as funding opportunities
to improve their shopfronts.
Council leader Julian Bell said:
“Our town centres are the heart of our
communities, and significant employers
of local people, and we want to support
businesses wherever we can.”
‘MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE’
Laura Forsyth, owner of The Village
Trading Store in Churchfield Road,
Acton, had support with a shopfront
improvement grant.
She said: “When I moved in, I
inherited an unattractive green
security shutter that people
could not see through when
we were closed, which is
damaging for a business.”
The old windows did not let
in a lot of light and the timber
frame was rotten in places
where rain had leaked
in. This was rectified
with a bright, new,
orange aluminium
frame (reflecting
the shop’s logo)
and large glass
Magda Harrison
windows which
showcased Laura’s
giftware.
“It has made a
big difference in
terms of getting
the shop noticed,”
said Laura. “Most
importantly,
customers can see
into the shop at
any time and take a
look. The council’s
regeneration team
held my hand
throughout the whole
process and helped
Laura Forsyth
me to stay on top of
everything. I would
recommend it to anyone.”
‘REALLY USEFUL’
“When we were setting up
we had a lot of interaction
with the council,” said cafe
owner Magda Harrison. “It
was really, really helpful.”
Magda opened Artisan
coffee shop in Ealing
Broadway in 2014 and
said she found the
council was always
on-hand for advice,
which made the
process easier and
smoother.
WANT SOME HELP?
1. Co-working hubs, like Ealing
Blueprint in West Ealing
www.ealingblueprint.co.uk
2. Landlords. Empty properties
are wanted for more hubs. Email
[email protected]
3. Apprentices. The council helps
set up apprenticeships.
www.ealing.gov.uk/apprenticeships
4. Energy. Improve energy
efficiency. Email
[email protected]
5. Business support. Register with
the regeneration team to receive
information on training, marketing
and partnership working. Email
your details to [email protected]
around ealing
Summer 2015
39