Free support is available with Grow London Local

Grow London Local offers a wealth of free resources and support services tailored for small businesses in the capital.

From support with marketing to tips on recruitment and planning, here's a list of complimentary provisions designed to help your business thrive.

Business support available through Grow London Local

Grants and loans

• Circular Economy Business Grants: sole traders, creatives and small businesses in Lewisham can apply for up to £1,000 in funding for their eco-friendly or sustainable projects.

• Brunel University SME Innovation Voucher: small businesses, social enterprises and third-sector organisations can apply for vouchers (valued between £1,000 and £5,000) to solve a business problem or develop a new product, process or service.

• Start Up Loans: apply for a government-backed personal loan to help you start or grow a business.

Finance and accounting

• Accountants and tax advisers: a 30-minute free initial consultation to address your questions around bookkeeping, VAT, payroll, tax planning, business registration and more.

• Financial stress relief: a free taster session on services to help you build your company, solve problems, plan your finances and develop personally.

• Free debt search service (The Friendly CFO): a free service to help small businesses explore available funding options without unnecessary risk.

Marketing and branding

• Free website design (Coding Creed): boost your business' online presence with a professionally designed website at no cost.

• Marketing support (Chic Marketing): a complimentary 45-minute consultation to bring your business marketing into line with your goals and your customers' needs.

• Octopus Marketing services: a free one-hour consultation on daily strategies to give your brand more exposure, generate sales and achieve long-term growth.

• Untangle Your Brand: get access to free tools and service to make your brand easier to manage, attract new customers and gain fresh ideas and clear direction.

• Marketing, PR and comms mentoring services (Cornelle Communications): access a free one-hour mentoring session to discuss approaches to marketing, PR and communications.

• Free digital marketing/sales session (Magnet AMS): get help with making sure you're connecting with the right customers online, and support with using social media to boost your sales.

People, recruitment and HR

• Workwhile apprenticeship support: receive guidance on integrating apprentices into your workforce effectively and giving young Londoners outstanding opportunities.

• Free recruitment service (Iamreadyai): a recruitment portal you can use to hire the best talent without spending on recruitment services.

• Positive impact expert directory (The WIP): a free directory for finding short-term freelancer support or plugging skills gaps in your team.

• HR advice and training (The HR Dept): a free, no-obligation call to discuss ways to effectively manage staff and deal quickly with any employment-related issues.

• Free HR health check (Target HR and Training): a two-hour visit from an HR adviser, who'll discuss your business goals and people management practices and provide a written report.

Leadership, management and mentoring

• Complimentary coaching/strategy session: a free coaching session to develop effective business strategies, overcome challenges and establish ways to measure performance.

• Free one-to-one mentoring and access to expertise: explain what you need help with – strategy, marketing, technology, finance, HR – and you'll be connected to an expert adviser.

Planning

• Free introductory call (The Friendly CFO): book a free 30-minute call to discuss your business goals, explore potential next steps and find out how they can support your growth.

• QNomics Business Support: a free business advice centre for tech start-ups and entrepreneurs based in Tower Hamlets.

• Forward business bootcamp for ex-offenders living in London: a specialised bootcamp designed to support ex-offenders with establishing and growing their businesses.

• Free business advice for RBKC residents: free one-on-one guidance for budding business owners in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Workspaces

• Flexible office space (Flex Office Solutions): get help with finding office space that gives your business the flexibility to grow – all without the huge cost of traditional leasing.

• Flexible co-working for women (The Hearth): a free half-day trial to access a women's workspace based in NW London, designed to support women on their professional and personal journeys.

Digital and SEO

• Generate leads from your website, YouTube and LinkedIn with SEO (MarketingTech): a free, no-obligation consultation on making sure your website, YouTube channel and LinkedIn are fully visible to potential customers.

Legal

• Free legal platform access (SuLe): a platform offering legal resources and support for your business needs, such as a free legal health check and a free initial consultation with a highly qualified lawyer.

Procurement and supply chain

• Brent UKSPF supplier ready programme: a comprehensive scheme to help early-stage and established businesses in the Borough of Brent develop their contract-bidding skills.

• Supply ready programme Harrow: free, tailored support for Harrow businesses on bid writing, becoming a council supplier and building connections to win contracts.

Sustainability

• Advice, training and support for your business (Wenta): free and inclusive support to make it easier and greener to start, run and grow a successful business.

• Help with reducing electricity, gas and water bills (Utilitrack): a free, no-obligation analysis of your electricity, gas and water contracts to help your business secure better rates and lower its costs.

Find the right support for your business

At Grow London Local, we understand that you’re passionate about your small London business. That’s why our website is packed with resources tailored to you. Find more support