Mayor Sadiq Khan Drops £62 million to Prop Up London’s Small Biz
London’s chief exec has put a tidy chunk of cash into 28 community‑level projects, turning a bit of public money into a voucher for local enterprises, new hires and a sprinkle of civic pride. Think of it as a generous neighbourhood grant where the dough is a mix of fresh dough and fresh ideas.
What the £62 million Is Looking For
This round is all about:
- Boosting small‑business productivity
- Stoking growth engines
- Whetting job cravings
- Re‑igniting local pride
Upcoming – a second tranche of £38.1 million earmarked for the community fund will roll out early next year. It’s a “push‑up” for young Londoners, slinging them into work via ed and training.
Project Spotlight: 28 Local Winners
Here’s a taste‑test of the projects that just got the patronage:
- Selby Centre – a learning hub in north‑east London that’s schooling the next wave of job‑seekers. “We’re turning idle brains into ready‑to‑go talent,” says the head honcho.
- London Business Partnership – like a one‑stop shop for leases, rates, and energy costs. Free advice, free training, all the right answers.
- Amplify Venture – helping 120 BME and women‑owned outfits get cash, scale up, and create 50 fresh jobs. Picture a rocket ship, but for businesses.
- Game Changer (Film London) – a mentorship marathon, training a hot‑seat of indie game founders to look like investment royalty.
- Southwark Climate Collective – the go‑ahead for start‑ups that want to help London hit net‑zero while keeping diversity front and centre.
London & Partners: The Global Trade Hub
The city’s commercial czar, London & Partners, got first‑round funding too. From shepherding Small/Start‑ups in London’s corridors to now shipping them overseas, it’s the MVP for local business export. The agency also chuckles that its “Let’s Do London” tourism scramble was a smashing success, fueling momentum behind the Prime Minister’s 2024 Vision.
Borough Bash: Free Pick‑Ups for Bexley & More
London boroughs also benefit. Bexley is floating webinars and face‑to‑face help, juicing staff skills with match‑funded courses, and a startup sprint that gives small businesses a wish‑bone to grow.
The Mayor Says: “Let’s Make London the Freest Business City”
Retrospective: “I’m committed to being London’s most pro‑business Mayor ever, that’s why I’m thrilled to allocate this funding to nurture local businesses at the heart of communities across the capital.” He adds: “Businesses have faced dragon‑drag, Brexit, cost‑of‑living turbulence and it’s vital to give them a hand to navigate these pitfalls.”
Stakeholder Quotes – Sounds Like a Crowd
- Mandy Nyarko MBE, Startup Discovery School MD – “We’re over the moon to get the UK Shared Prosperity Fund grant. Our project is all about quick‑ly accelerating boroughs toward net‑zero, while making sure the really under‑represented people join the march.”
- Jack Skinner, Selby Trust Development Manager – “We’re thrilled: this money helps local businesses that already do so much for the area to grow new skills and use fresh tools. We kicking off AI workshops in December to get that extra edge.”
In short, Sadiq Khan’s cash splash is all about turning small corners into big opportunities, giving London a boost that feels like it’s been handed out at the block party. Cheers to the entrepreneurs, the boroughs, and to the city as a whole – may it keep growing like a well‑funded garden.
