Enterprise Development and Support Programme: Portobello Business Centre

The LDA is funding the Portobello Business Centre (PBC) to deliver a range of business support services in the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (with a particular emphasis on North Kensington) to enable both the start-up and development of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The project also aims to support local community and voluntary sector organisations in becoming social enterprises.

With LDA support, the centre has been able to hire an SME enterprise champion to act as an outreach worker, attracting businesses excluded from mainstream support or operating within the informal economy. Business advice and consultancies are also being provided to social enterprises across London, to help them become more commercially orientated, and develop networks and partnerships.

Since 1 May 2003, the project has brought about the creation of 53 new jobs and safeguarded 230 others. It has delivered 495 business advice sessions, 38 consultancies and made possible the creation of 48 new businesses.

This project is LDA funded until March 2006. The organisation is forging links with other local enterprise agencies, which it anticipates will contribute to making delivery self-sustaining for the future.

For more information please visit the Portobello Business Centre website or contact info@pbc.co.uk, Tel: 0207460 5050