London has around 460,000 micro businesses (which have between 0-9 employees) and this accounts for 91 per cent of London-based businesses.[2]
Together, they turn over £277.3 billion, which is 27 per cent of London’s economic turnover.[3] In the last five years they have created an extra 282,000 jobs in London.[4]
But how is this important sector of London’s economy supported by the Mayor?
What are the main challenges they face, in terms of property, space, business advice and financial support? Can online-selling platforms, such as Etsy be the solution for home-based or independent shops?
The London Assembly Economy Committee will tomorrow discuss the challenges micro businesses face in London and what support is offered by the Mayor of London and the London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP) through the London Growth Hub. The guests are:
- Sue Terpilowski OBE, London Policy Chair, Federation of Small Businesses
- Lorna Bladen, Head of Campaigns, Enterprise Nation
- Johnny Martin, Managing Partner, The Numbers Coach
- Claire Burke, Editor, Guardian Business to Business, The Guardian
- Jenna Ahmed, Director, Global Insights, Etsy
The meeting will take place on Wednesday, 23 May at 2:00pm in The Chamber (The Queen’s Walk, London SE1).
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE via webcast or YouTube.
Follow us and take part in the meeting discussion using #AssemblyEconomy and #LDNSMEs
Notes to editors
- Full agenda papers.
- ONS Business Population Estimates 2017
- Ibid
- Ibid
- Susan Hall AM, Chairman of the Economy Committee is available for interview. See contact details below.
- London Assembly Economy Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Lisa Lam on 020 7983 4067. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.