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Local SMEs see £19 million increase in business turnover

Our free E-business programme is successfully helping micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) safeguard jobs and increase business turnover.

To date over 2,000 businesses have signed up the programme which gives SME owners the digital skills to grow their business and improve their productivity. These businesses have reported £19,115,248 increase in business turnover combined. Through the programme these SMEs have safeguarded 2,043 jobs and created 475 new ones.

As of February 2024 the programme has been extended through UKSPF funding to include London Borough of Bromley, and will support all nine of our boroughs until March 2025.

Setting SMEs up to succeed

Businesses with fewer than 250 employees play a huge part in our local economy, yet statistically, almost half stop trading within 3 years of setting up.

To reverse this trend the Local London E-business Programme, which is fully funded and free for business owners, helps business owners:

  • Build a strong online presence.
  • Strengthen their business’s cyber-security and data storage capabilities.
  • Streamline processes.
  • Enhance their online marketing and social media.
  • Harness ecommerce and online payment systems.

Understanding each business is unique, the Local London E-business Programme offers bespoke opportunities for businesses to learn flexibly. Our expert trainers have held over 20,000 activities, equating to around ten per business on the programme, this includes one-to-one bespoke consultations, group training sessions and events.

The Local London E-business Programme in numbers

  • 2,055 – Business Signed Up
  • 20,700 – support activities delivered
  • 2,043 – Jobs Safeguarded
  • 475 – New Jobs Created
  • £19m – Increased Business Turnover

Over 2k Business Signed Up, 2000+ Jobs Safeguarded 475 - New Jobs Created Over £19m Increased Business Turnover

What SME owners say about the programme

“Thank you for the digital advice and support- the things you taught me are really, really useful! I’m now using Buffer every day, and my content keeps getting better and better! It has saved me so much time and effort I cannot express my gratitude! I will master Canvas too to create great promotional videos and am telling other entrepreneurs about the tools you showed me!”  Gabriel Csontos, Songdrop supported by Enterprise EnfieldSmiling man wearing orange t-shirt

“In July 2022 Law Lane joined Local London’s E-Business Programme. One of the first benefits of doing this was an increased social media presence following the implementation of a strategy produced by the programme.” Law Lane Solicitors, supported by Newham College.

“South East Enterprise has been there for us since the beginning of our journey. By participating in their e-business program, a combination of workshops and targeted one-to-one sessions, we gained the confidence and knowledge necessary to grow our business effectively and in line with the times.” London Leather Workshop, supported by South East Enterprise.

Watch our video to find out more about the E-business programme


Find the E-business programme near you

Reflecting the programme’s success, the Local London e-business programme has recently been granted UK Shared Prosperity Funding, allowing it to operate through our three expert providers in all nine of our London boroughs until March 2025.

Contact our nearest expert provider to you to find out more:

Related Content

⇒Read more news about the Local London E-business programme.

About the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund

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Further reading

  1. Previous Work and Health Programme: helping 3 in 4 inactive residents find work
  2. Next Join us: Enterprise Coordinator (Redbridge)