Businesses in London impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic are being invited to a day of support raising awareness of the initiatives on hand to help.
The fourth day of London Trading Standards (LTS) Week focuses on what is being done to help London continue to operate and remain open for business post pandemic.
The business support day will also highlight the ways in which LTS and regulatory services have offered assistance throughout this time.
Cllr Steven Curran, Leader of the London Borough of Hounslow, and Labour Executive Lead Member for Business, Economy and Culture, London Councils will officially launch the Business Support Day.
LTS Lead Officer, Valerie Simpson, said: “The work of London Trading Standards includes efforts to ensure PPE is legitimate, to keep people in the capital safe; as well as acting as a critical friend to businesses helping them reopen by bringing together other regulatory services.”
Throughout the day a series of presentations and talks will take place, raising awareness of issues such as illegal money lenders and the night time economy.
There is also the opportunity to join live webinars on these topics by following this link London Trading Standards Week 2021 – London Trading Standards
(See the end of this article for the individual links to sessions.)
The London Growth Hub provides an online platform for entrepreneurs, small and medium sized business to access tools to start-up, sustain and grow. Businesses can use the Growth Hub’s resources to unlock finance, access workspace and business mentoring.
A spokesman will discuss how local authorities can engage and direct businesses to use resources.
Next, the London Chamber of Commerce will explain what is does, as well as the black and Asian business groups that it hosts.
In the afternoon the Business Support Day will shift focus to hear from the
Illegal Money Lending Team around the dangers of using loan sharks.
Businesses will be given training on illegal lenders, how help can be given to those who have borrowed from them, and key things to look out for to signal someone is involved with a loan shark.
Karen O’Neill, from the Illegal Money Lending Team, said: “The session will show the impact that illegal lenders have on victims and communities and how we can work together to stop people falling into the clutches of criminals.”
Finally, there will be a presentation from the Safer Business team promoting night time economy initiatives like the Ask for Angela project.
The safety initiative ‘Ask for Angela’ is being rolled out to bars, clubs and other licensed businesses across London. People who feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened can discreetly seek help by approaching venue staff and asking them for ‘Angela’.
The Metropolitan Police and the Mayor of London have joined together with Safer Sounds, part of the Safer Business Network, and licensed venues across the capital to help keep people safe while enjoying a night out.
Venues that support ‘Ask for Angela’ have been given Welfare And Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training.
LTS is highlighting the online consumer crime reporting tool – a confidential, no reply service to raise concerns over inappropriate practices relating to all schemes. Report consumer crime – London Trading Standards
FREE WEBINARS – October 21st
The series of webinars being put on to highlight what’s being done to help London continue to operate and remain open for business can be joined by registering on the following links:
10.30am to midday – London Strategic Regulatory Network meeting – invite only.
Could you spot a Illegal Lender ? Tickets, Thu 21 Oct 2021 at 12:00 | Eventbrite