Projects and opportunities

Current projects

TH.is Open for Business – New Projects Launch!

The council are delighted to announce the launch of three projects to support your business.

Have a business idea but don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered. You must be a full time Tower Hamlets resident and haven’t previously owned a company or been registered as a sole trader:

Lean Start Up Support for budding entrepreneurs to start your business without financial backing. Quite literally from bedroom to boardroom – details to follow soon!

Supported Access to Finance for budding entrepreneurs to start your business, create a business plan and understand avenues to apply for and access funding to turn your business from dream to reality. £2500 grant available for 100 people who complete this training and go on to start a business.

For established businesses/ VCS organisations:

Women Mean Business will support 50 small independent women led/owned business (operating at least 12 months) in Tower Hamlets to expand and grow.

Social Enterprise Impact Project will support 50 Voluntary and Community sector organisations (operating at least 18 months) to employ through creating and running their own social enterprise.

Get involved

Register to join our launch event. You'll hear from the delivery partners of each project. You can apply for the project most relevant to you and enjoy some networking over lunch.

Date/Time: Thursday 19 September 12 to 2pm
Venue: Council Chamber, Whitechapel Town Hall (opp. Whitechapel Station), 160 Whitechapel Road, E1 1BJ

Register

Start Up School for Seniors

Attention all Tower Hamlets residents aged 50+! Have you ever dreamed of starting your own business, but didn't know where to start? Startup School for Seniors is here to help you turn that dream into a reality!

Registration is open until 31 January 2024 for this fully sponsored, eight-week eLearning course for aspiring Tower Hamlets entrepreneurs. You will be guided through the process of starting a successful business.

Not only will you gain valuable knowledge and skills, but you will also have the chance to apply for a £5000 grant once you complete the programme. Plus, you will receive 1 to 1 mentoring sessions to address any challenges you may face.

The course is online and designed to fit around your existing lifestyle. So whether you have caring responsibilities, are in or out of work, you can take advantage of this amazing opportunity to turn your passion or idea into a thriving business.

LIFT

Leading Inclusive Futures through Technology

LIFT is a three year programme across Camden, Hackney, Islington and Tower Hamlets that aims to help residents into good local jobs in the knowledge economy including tech, digital, sciences, and creative production, and to support businesses and start-ups in these sectors.

Our vision is to inspire and empower our local communities and build a lifetime of opportunities for our residents and generations to come.

For more information, please visit the Lift Futures Programme website.

Community Toilet Scheme

Join the Tower Hamlets Community Toilet Scheme to boost your business:

Aids local businesses in providing cleaner, safer, and accessible toilets.
Increase footfall and revenue by offering these facilities.
Turn passersby into loyal customers and enjoy free publicity.
Proudly promote your inclusion, enhancing visibility.
Support community initiatives and strengthen relationships.

Our primary focus is to provide essential facilities for:

the elderly,
women,
children, and
people with disabilities wherever suitable facilities are available.

If you have a clean and safe toilet, contact us today for more details.

Email: highstreets@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Previous projects

Tower Hamlets Energy Reduction Programme - Ended

Small businesses in Tower Hamlets are invited to apply for the new Energy Reduction Programme. Successful applicants will be paired with an experienced energy consultant. They then complete an on-site energy audit and provide a tailored reduction plan.

Businesses will be able to join interactive workshops to learn tips on how to make their business greener.
Business owners that follow the plan and make positive steps in reducing their energy use will be invited to apply for a grant of up to £2,500. The grant amount is to be match funded and used towards installing energy-reducing technology.

Tower Hamlets businesses are set to enjoy a £185,000 investment from the council with the launch of the programme. The aim is to help 50 businesses reduce their energy consumption by 25 per cent. If successful, it may be extended so more businesses can apply.

To deliver this pilot programme, the council has partnered with BetterFutures+, a Greater London Authority funded scheme which aims to support London’s transition to net zero.

Creative & Cultural Futures - Ended May 2022

This business support project targeted freelancers and owners of micro and small businesses in the cultural and creative sectors, a sector which largely didn’t benefit from government support during the Covid-19 pandemic.

64 micro and small Tower Hamlets based freelancers and small businesses received up to £1000 to enable them to change their existing operations to generate new income or identify avenues for alternative or additional revenue streams, along with specialist support provided for each business.

Business Adaptation Grant - Ended March 2022

This business support project provided 215 Tower Hamlets based micro and small businesses with a programme of businesses support and up to £1250 in match funding to adapt their business in a post covid environments, and take steps in safeguarding and future-proofing their business.

Pivot Project 1 - Ended March 2021

This business support programme offered £1000 grants to micro and small businesses to pivot their businesses model, to survive and thrive through the turbulent economic period caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

This Project saw 50 Tower Hamlets based micro and small businesses benefit from the scheme, each receiving £1000 to pivot their business model which included an average of six hours support each.