Business Link UK

Business Link UK does all it can to help small and medium sized businesses succeed. If you are running your own business or are thinking about starting one, getting the right business advice at the right time can give you the real edge. Support and advice covering human resources, exporting, ICT and e-business, finance, supply chains, marketing and start-up are all on hand.

For more information or to arrange a free meeting with a business adviser please call 0845 6000 787.

CIDA

CIDA is a specialist support organisation that champions the development of the creative and cultural sector, in particular in East London. We work with creative start-ups and existing businesses and cultural organisations. Our services include:

• training provision and advice
• one to one business or project development sessions
• finance and fundraising guidance
• access to industry specialist consultants
• online creative directory and cultural industries resource centre
• up to date news, events and opportunities via our website and e-newsletter

Business Development Centre
7-15 Greatorex Street
London
E1 5NF
Tel: 020 7247 4710
Email: info@cida.co.uk

East London Business Alliance (ELBA)

ELBA, a not for profit organisation, works with member companies from the City and Canary Wharf to engage them in the regeneration of East London through the transfer of the time skills an expertise of member companies. Programmes include business volunteering, board membership and mentoring. Our clients include mainly voluntary and community organisations as well as social enterprises thoughout East London.

East London Business Alliance (ELBA)
Anchorage House
2 Clove Crescent
East India Dock
Leamouth
London
E14 2BE
Tel: 020 7673 4886
Email: alisonw@elba-1.org.uk

East London Small Business Centre (ELSBC)

East London Small Business Centre provides a free, impartial and confidential business counselling service. With many years of business experience between them, our business counsellors will usually be able to help work through your business ideas and problems so you find the correct solution. Come and talk to us if you are thinking of starting a new business, becoming self-employed in East London or are running a business and need help with expansion. We can offer free support to help you create or grow a successful enterprise. Including:

• comprehensive four day business start-up course
• one-to-one help with preparing your business plan
• help with effective research of your chosen market
• advice and guidance on your business sector
• help with raising start-up finance from ELSBC loans of last resort
• free access to our B2B Portal
• access to low cost online trading
• continuing help after starting up

Universal House
88-94 Wentworth Street
London
E1 7SA
Tel: 020 7377 8821/020 7375 1415
Email: Elsbc@goeast.org

Gateway to London

Gateway to London is the inward investment and business retention agency for the largest opportunity area in the UK - Thames Gateway London.

We are helping all kinds of businesses to make the most of those opportunities right now, whether they are from outside the area or are already in the area but wanting to grow.

Whatever your business type or sector, Gateway to London has the right location and support for you. Our service is tailored to your business needs, free of charge and confidential and we'll be with you every step of the way.

Contact: Gill Marshall
Compressor House
Dockside Road
London
E16 2QD
Tel: 020 7540 5560
Fax: 020 7540 5561
Email: info@gtlon.co.uk

Newham College of Further Education

Newham College of Further Education provides Computer Training: ECDL Testing, Sage Accounting, Learndirect courses, Introduction to computing, Employment and Business Advice Seminars, open days and events, Bespoke training courses in starting a business. (Free training for those who reside in Objective 2 areas, are unemployed or work for Newham businesses with 250 or less employees).

Contact: Samee Mian/Andrew Mitchell
East Ham Campus,
High Street South
East Ham
E6 6ER
Tel: 0845 650 42 44
Fax: 020 8257 4410
Email: call.centre@newham.ac.uk

Newham Education Business Partnership (NEBP)

NEBP is a key provider of education business links in Newham. Through its links with business and the community, NEBP will help young people in Newham schools and colleges develop the skills and qualities needed for the world of work. By participating in NEBP programmes, local employers/employees can gain valuable staff development and motivation. With the development of vocational GCSEs, local business can have a real input into education and help develop their workforce of the future.

Local business can support the NEBP by providing work experience placements, learning volunteers, mentors and host visits from teachers and students.

Contact: Marion Faust
Warton House,
150 High Street ,
Stratford
E15 2NE
Tel: 020 8430 5050
Fax: 020 8430 5252
Email: marion.faust@newham.gov.uk

Newham Business Online Project

This scheme offers Newham SMEs (small and medium enterprises) a free or low-cost e-commerce website on the East London online portal, subsidised broadband and online training courses from Newham College and free hands-on support from local agencies.

Contact: Graham Pilkington
Tel: 078555 26475
Email: gr.pilkington@tiscali.co.uk

New Vic Stratford Centre

NewVIc Stratford Centre provides services to business including business support and development. We offer:

• business advice and counselling for organisations by trained business advisors
• a wide variety of scheduled staff development activities - designed to provide solutions to many of the challenges businesses face
• bespoke staff development activities for staff at all levels - designed to meet the specific needs of your organisation and your people
• a flexible approach to delivery - offering training at times and in places to suit your operational needs
• training needs analysis/business profiling to identify both skill gaps and potential threats/opportunities
• an assurance that all activities undertaken meet the needs and objectives of the client and are delivered to the highest standards
• the opportunity to access subsidised training through one of our many funded projects (subject to eligibility)

397-381 High Street
Stratford
London E15
Tel: 020 7540 0680
Fax: 020 7540 0699
Email: business@newvic.ac.uk

The Prince's Trust

The Prince's Trust assists unemployed or under-employed young people aged 18-30 to start-up in business in Newham (and Barking and Dagenham).

Services to business The Prince's Trust is a charitable organisation which provides business advice, support and funding to disadvantaged young people who have a good business idea and are unable to raise finance from elsewhere. To be eligible, applicants must:

• be between 18 and 30
• be either unemployed or under-employed
• not be in full time education

The Prince's Trust offers the following support:

• low interest start-up loans of up to £4,000
• a volunteer business mentor for the first two years of the business
• self-help kits, networking events and seminars, free specialist advice, links to trade associations and other marketing support

The Trust particularly targets young people who may come from disadvantaged backgrounds or circumstances, including:

• unemployed, especially for more than 6 months
• low level of educational qualifications
• lone parents
• ethnic minorities
• within or leaving the criminal justice system
• those leaving care
• people with disabilities
• refugees

Contact: Heather Murphy
Tel: 020 7543 1412
Mob: 07717 153840
Email: heather.murphy@princes-trust.org.uk

University of East London (UEL)

The University of East London was inaugurated as a fully independent university in September 1992. In the ten years since receiving its charter, UEL has grown and developed into an institution that is both local and international in scope and outlook. Today, the campus stands as a striking visual statement of UEL's commitment to excellence and innovation.

It is also home to the Thames Gateway Technology Centre, the focus for UEL's business outreach programmes. Technology and engineering have strong roots at UEL.

Launched in May 2002, TLMH (Talent Lab & Media Hub) is a new initiative to foster creative media talent by offering intensive training, access to state-of-the-art facilities and placements with local enterprises. The scheme is supported by the European Regional Development Fund, the Higher Education Innovation Fund and the Skills Work Single Regeneration Budget, and shortly after opening was named as the UK's first Centre for Excellence in Higher Education by Apple Computers.

Docklands Campus
4 University Way
London
E16 2RD
Tel: 020 8223 3000
Email: r.wheeler@uel.ac.uk