Support for small businesses

Islington's small businesses play a vital role in our local economy - providing local jobs, enhancing our high streets, and providing a variety of essential goods and services for everyone who lives, works and visits the borough.

Recent challenges, such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, have made it more important than ever that our small businesses have access to the support they need to grow and thrive. Find out about ongoing and new or upcoming schemes that can provide the support, help and advice you need to become sustainable and get to the next level.

Energy and net zero

There are schemes and funding to help small businesses keep their green values and help us reach our target of being a net zero borough by 2030. Find out more on our Together Greener pages. You can also read tips on how to reduce energy use.

Financial support

Recovery Loan scheme

The Recovery Loan Scheme supports small and medium sized businesses to access the finance they need to grow and invest. Finance can be used for any legitimate business purpose, including working capital or investment.

You can apply if you are trading in the UK with a turnover of £45 million or less, and that your business is both viable and not in difficulty. 

Read more about this loan scheme and apply.

Growth support

Business Resilience Programme for Islington entrepreneurs

Islington Council and Action for Race Equality (ARE) have partnered to offer a support programme for micro and small businesses trading in Islington. The programme includes:

• one-on-one consultancy with business specialists
• targeted workshops
• peer-to-peer learning activities
• networking events
• the opportunity to apply for a grant up to £2,000.

We really encourage applications from:

• Black, Asian and minority ethnic business leaders
• women
• disabled entrepreneurs
• business owners in the hospitality, arts, creative, retail, service, and manufacturing sectors.

The deadline for applications to this support programme is Wednesday 4 September 2024.

Apply now

Grow London Local

Grow London Local gives London’s small business owners access to expert business support - hairdressers, wholesalers, mechanics, any similar-sized buisness based in the capital.

It’s free, online or in-person and designed for micro and small businesses. You can book an in-person session to talk about the right support you need to grow your business. business for free.

Recruitment

Help with local recruitment

Our iWork service can help your business find the right local skills to build, grow and maintain your business. We'll provide you with a dedicated page to advertise your vacancy and we can offer our skilled brokers to filter applications for you.

For more information, visit our Islington Working webpage or email iWork@islington.gov.uk.

Discounted membership to the Federation of Small Businesses

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) wants to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions by providing a range of business services to their 5.5 million members. These include:

• legal advice
• financial expertise
• health and wellbeing support.

When you join, your membership fee contributes to making real change happen for your business and the wider business community to make a difference.  

This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Two-year membership fees and discount

Your membership fee is based on the size of your business. You can see both the normal price and our discounted price for a two-year membership.

Register your interest in discounted membership

Use this form to register your interest. Memberships are offered on a first-come-first-served basis.