BUSINESSES AND TRADERS SURVEY FOR CRYSTAL PALACE
Would you like to help in finding out what the needs of business in Crystal Palace/Upper Norwood are?
With the support of the Chamber of Commerce, the Bartlett School of Planning students from UCL are undertaking a business survey for Crystal Palace/Upper Norwood.
The work is in collaboration with thge emerging Crystal Palace Neighbourhood Forum. The UCL students studying for a Masters degree in Spatial Planning are compiling data to best understand the needs and aspirations of local businesses in the area.
As part of their research, we want to hear from you about your experiences operating in Crystal Palace. The survey should take around five -10 minutes and your feedback will make a significant contribution to the future plans for the area. Thank you in advance.
Find out more, please go to: www.cpneighbours.org
CROYDON GOOD EMPLOYER CHARTER ACCREDITATION OPENS
Local businesses can now apply for free accreditation to the Croydon Good Employer Charter (GEC) and become members of the Good Employer Network.
Businesses can apply to become accredited members of the Good Employer Network if they meet the charter’s criteria made up of four key elements:
Pay Living Wage is a commitment to paying their employees London Living Wage, a wage rate higher than the government’s National Minimum Wage because it is calculated according to the cost of living.
Employ Local asks businesses to agree to support the creation of jobs and training opportunities for Croydon residents by considering them for positions in their organisation and where possible employing locally. Businesses can work in partnership with Croydon Works, the council’s free recruitment service which links high quality, job-ready candidates with potential employers.
Buy Local asks businesses to support the local economy by investing in the local supply chain and local business. Businesses will be given the opportunity to register with Value Croydon to promote procurement and supply chain opportunities.
Include All asks businesses to commit to being an inclusive employer by promoting equality and diversity in the workplace and implementing best practice for employee support.
The charter will give local businesses the opportunity to be recognised as a good local employer.
Accredited businesses will become members of the Good Employer Network, which aims to help them adopt responsible business practices and gives access to local contacts, suppliers, other local businesses and opportunities whilst sharing knowledge with their peers.
They will also gain access to Good Employer learning, quarterly business breakfast briefings and regular networking events.
The first 100 SME businesses that become accredited with GEC in 2017/18 can also apply for a one-off business rate discount of up to £1,000.
Local businesses that are not yet ready to become accredited can stay in touch with the network by committing to supporting the charter and pledging to work towards accreditation.
Cllr Mark Watson, Croydon’s cabinet member for economy and jobs, added: “I am delighted the Croydon Good Employer Charter has now officially launched and local businesses can join the network and get the recognition they deserve.
“Croydon’s vision is for all of the borough’s businesses to become accredited members to help us achieve a diverse and dynamic local economy to the benefit of all.”
To become accredited, pledge your business’ support or for more information about the network visit http://www.goodemployercroydon.com/ (Source: Croydon council press release)
HUNDREDS OF AFFORDABLE CREATIVE AND BUSINESS SPACES SET FOR SOUTHWARK
Southwark council say they are on course to smash their target of delivering 500 new, affordable work and creative spaces across the borough.
More than 160 spaces have already been created through a range of regeneration projects such as The Artworks, Spare Street and affordable retail space at Elephant One at the Elephant and Castle, temporary space on the Aylesbury estate and the Peckham Enterprise Centre.
A further 597 spaces are proposed through other projects like Peckham levels, Peckham Palms, the council’s redundant garages project and London Bridge station affordable retail, among others. Over 70 of these will be delivered through section 106 planning agreements on major developments.
Cllr Johnson Situ, Southwark’s cabinet member for business, culture and social regeneration, said: “When people think of regeneration the main focus tends to be on housing, but at Southwark we are determined to make regeneration work for everyone in the borough.
“New and emerging small businesses have an incredibly important role to play in the borough and across London, and one of the benefits of regeneration is we can create jobs and more affordable space for our local businesses and voluntary sector to grow and develop.
“We can also work with our developers to provide incredible opportunities for our increasing creative and cultural offer, as we have with the already popular Artworks at Elephant and Castle or will with Peckham Levels.
“We set ourselves an ambitious target of 500 affordable spaces in our new Southwark Plan, but we now have a strategy that shows we will not only reach this target but have the potential to smash it.” (Source: Southwark council press release)