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Harrow businesses take advantage of unoccupied shops thanks to council initiative

A new council scheme in Harrow is allowing budding entrepreneurs to make the most of empty shops in the borough.

The project named ‘Start Here’ helps remove the cost barrier when starting a business, to make it easier for new and emerging businesses in Harrow to grow and develop.

The first business ‘Radiate’ moved into the shop at 1 The Bridge, Wealdstone last week. An underused prime retail space opposite Harrow and Wealdstone Station. The retailer sells handmade products and hold workshops where people can create unique t-shirts, clocks, jewellery, bags and much more.

Four more business are lined-up to move into the premises up to March, including Harrow Council’s Business Den competition winner Donna Banfield with her novelty and wedding cake business ‘A Slice Of Nice’(ASON).

The Start Here project is run in partnership with Meanwhile Space and offers opportunities to new and emerging local businesses to test their business in a real commercial environment.

The scheme will run until April 2017 across a total of four sites in the borough. Each business will initially be able to use the sites for up to four weeks at no cost.

Councillor Keith Ferry, deputy leader and portfolio holder for business said: “Starting a business can be a daunting experience, but we want to make it as easy as possible. Small businesses are the life of any community and as a council we are determined to give them as much support as we can.

“We are already recognised as the best borough in London for the support we provide to start-ups and entrepreneurs. The message is clear to any budding business, Harrow is the place to be and we will support you. Over the coming few years we are embarking on a £1.73 billion regeneration programme to build a better Harrow for residents and businesses.

“This project brings a new lease of life to unoccupied shop spaces and gives entrepreneurs the chance to try out their business in a supportive environment.”

Over the next fifteen months the project will create and help the growth of around 50 new small businesses and community projects. It will also create new jobs for local people.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .