IT’S NOT just pensioners who need help with fuel costs and other bills. Tower Hamlets relies on local small businesses to provide local jobs and to sell us the goods and services we need. And climbing costs are not helping them either.

Tower Hamlets Council has therefore come up with a plan to help them out – a plan which will also help reduce the borough’s carbon footprint. There are two new schemes: both offer advice to small businesses, and the Council is spending £108,250 on paying for the advice they will receive.

●Business Cost Reduction Project
This scheme offers three hours of advice to local, small, independent businesses registered and operating in Tower Hamlets. Businesses must have been running for at least 12 months and have not more than 25 employees. The aim is to help them cut the cost of their utility bills, insurance costs, telecoms costs and professional costs.

Businesses must apply to receive this advice which will be offered to 50 businesses. It is not clear whether the help will be provided on a “first come, first served” basis, or if there is any other selection process. The advice is given by an organisation called the “Place Support Partnership”, which has experience in helping businesses with this kind of advice. It is not clear how the Place Support Partnership is funded.
●To apply for this business advice, go to:
Business Cost Reduction project

●SME Sustainabililty Project
This project offers advice to small businesses about how they can improve their energy efficiency. The hope is that this will save the business money in terms of reduced bills and identifying improvements they can make to save more – and reduce their carbon emissions at the same time. Up to 30 businesses can receive this advice.

This project is being delivered in collaboration with Allia Impact Ltd – a company that provides workspaces and business advice. Allia Impact is supported by the European Regional Develoment Fund and by several Councils: not the first time public money has been spent on boosting the profits of the private sector.
●To apply for this advice on sustainability, go to:
SME Sustainabililty Project

Executive Mayor Lutfur Rahman explained why he believes these projects offer good value for money to the Council, saying, “Small independent businesses are the lifeblood of our local High Streets. These schemes are creative solutions to help these businesses cut costs, boost efficiency, reduce their carbon footprint and improve environmental sustainability. This not only strengthens our local economy, but also marks an important contribution towards our efforts to make Tower Hamlets a cleaner, greener borough for everyone.”

Cllr Musthak Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Enterprise, Skills and Growth, added, “It is a fantastic opportunity. However, places on the schemes are limited. I would urge all small businesses to apply as quickly as possible to avoid disappointment and ensure your business can reap the rewards on the schemes.”

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