Business Support

Barking & Dagenham Enterprise (BDE) means business.

As the world of business is changing, so are we at BDE. Since April 2009 our focus is on supporting and advising businesses and individuals looking to start their own business or social enterprise in Barking and Dagenham.

We have put in place various projects that can assist you whatever your business query. So whether you are looking to start a business or expand your existing business we are here to help.

Please call 020 8227 3319 to speak to one of our Business Relationship Managers today!

Business Link – the main national resource for business advice and support

Business Link is a free, impartial business advice service available to anyone starting or running a small or medium sized business.

Business Link work in partnership with business support organisations from the private, voluntary and public sectors to ensure you receive the most suitable support. They also have a number of experienced business advisers, many who have run their own businesses, on-hand to help you.

To arrange a meeting with a Business Link adviser, or speak to a member of their Contact Centre team you can call 0845 6000 787.

You can also visit the Business Link web site.

Business FAQ

Can your business query be answered below? If not contact us on 020 8227 3319 and we will assist you where possible.

Thinking of starting a new business?

Business Start-Up Programme
Barking Enterprise Centre offers financial and other support, including business training and counselling for emerging entrepreneurs and micro-businesses.

Mark Kass
Tel: 020 8227 3030
Email: mark.kass@barkingenterprisecentre.co.uk
Website: www.barkingenterprisecentre.co.uk

Does your business need some cash injection? Would a business loan help?

Business Loan Fund

There are a comprehensive range of loan funds in the borough, including one that allows small initial borrowings by new as well as existing businesses in the borough unable to secure bank finance. This initial borrowing can be increased to a limit of £10,000 as the business expands.

For more information contact any of the following:

• Business Relationship Managers
  Tel: 020 8227 3319
  Email: info@boldanddynamic.co.uk
  Visit: www.boldanddynamic.co.uk
• Barking Enterprise Centre
  Tel: 020 8227 3030
  Visit: www.barkingenterprisecentre.co.uk
• East London Small Business Centre
  Tel: 020 7377 8821
  Email: info@smallbusinesscentre.org.uk
  Visit: www.goeast.org

  Want some advice on growing your business?

  Business Relationship Managers
  Business managers advise and give practical help in building and maintaining productive business relationships.

  Paul Bishop
  Tel: 020 8724 8292
  Email: paul.bishop@boldanddynamic.co.uk

  Karthik Durgaprasad
  Tel: 020 8724 8295
  Email: karthik.durgaprasad@boldanddynamic.co.uk

  Get a greener business

  The council is working with Greening Business to offer SMEs in the borough 12 hours of free support and advice from qualified environmental specialists to provide them with a tailored action plan on how they can lessen their environmental impact and reduce running costs in the process.

  Businesses can also receive help with setting up environmental management systems like ISO 14001.

  This project is part funded by the European Union.

  For more information please contact:
  Business Relationship Managers on 020 8227 3319 or info@boldanddynamic.co.uk

  Are you a community or voluntary group looking for office space?

  Starting Point offers a mix of office space for community groups and social enterprises– including work station, IT equipment, telephone and meeting facilities – and free business support by trained staff including business planning, writing a fundraising strategy, marketing and finance. The facilities are available for use on a flexible hot desking basis but give the groups a professional base from which to operate.

  Corrine Hutcheson
  Centre Manager
  Tel 020 3288 2100
  Email: mail@starting-point.org.uk
  Visit: www.starting-point.org.uk

  The Ripple Centre offers modern desk space in their Incubation Hub that can be rented out on a flexible basis to support new organisations and social entrepreneurs. The desk space includes a computer with all the latest software installed, a dedicated phone line, a secure locker for your files, and photocopying and printing facilities. The Hub is open from 9.00am to 9.00pm.

  As well has having a secure address to work from, you can access their dedicated business support team that can help you develop your skills, expand your networks and tap into funding opportunities. The Ripple Centre also has meeting areas that you can use to meet clients, funders and other business leaders, or simply network with other budding social entrepreneurs.

  Graham Collins
  Tel: 020 8532 7310
  Email: graham.collins@bdcvs.org.uk
  Visit: www.bdcvs.org.uk