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Welcome to our Business Update Issue 103. As we approach the end of the year, we would like to thank all our businesses, partners and colleagues who have supported us. In this edition, we highlight the winners of Newham Chamber's Business Awards 2025, new opportunities and upcoming events. We would like to wish you all a joyful festive break and happy new year. |
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Christmas sparkle across Newham
This year, Our Newham, successfully secured full funding through social value contributions to install Christmas trees across seven locations in the borough. Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors: The Hill Group, Stratford Originals, Travis Perkins Managed Services and Bouygues UK, we were able to spread festive cheer to our communities.
Mayor Fiaz OBE and local councillors joined residents for the Christmas tree light-up events, accompanied by wonderful performances from local choirs. These celebrations not only brightened our high streets but also brought residents and businesses together, helping to strengthen community spirit across Newham. |
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Newham Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2025
The Newham Chamber of Commerce Business Awards took place on Friday 5 December at the Old Town Hall in Stratford, celebrating the borough’s most innovative and successful businesses.
Newham Council was proud to sponsor the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, which recognises a young business owner who has demonstrated exceptional vision, creativity and entrepreneurial drive.
Congratulations to the outstanding finalists: - Kevin Osei BEM – Bridging Barriers
- Ferdous Babul – FA Security
- Shaan Kanodia – Gradwhiz
Winner: Kevin Osei BEM – Bridging Barriers
Warm congratulations to all the winners and finalists for their achievements.
To view the full list of award winners, please click below. |
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Mayor's Big Budget Business Breakfast Tuesday 20 January - 8-11:30am Sadlers Wells East, East Bank, 101 Carpenters Road, Stratford E20 2AR
The Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE together with Newham Chamber of Commerce invites you to The Mayor’s Big Business Budget Breakfast. We’re pleased to invite Newham businesses to this important meeting with the Mayor, who will present the Council’s business-related budget for the forthcoming year. Rob Elder, The Agent of Bank of England, will also give an overview of the local, regional and national economy looking forward.
For more information: |
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Driving Entrepreneurship funded by Local London
We’re excited to share progress on the Trailblazer Programme, designed to support economically inactive residents in Newham to move closer to the job market through self-employment opportunities. This initiative forms part of the Government’s Get Britain Working White Paper and is proudly funded by Local London.
Our Newham team has delivered over five information sessions to engage and introduce the programme to residents, and in partnership with Rebel, delivered structured business support to over 30 residents to gain the tools and skills needed to develop their business idea. This concluded on Tuesday 16 December.
Next steps for the candidates are to submit their business plans by 5pm on Friday 2 January 2026. Shortlisted residents with viable business plans will pitch for grants up to £5,000 in the Trailblazer Pitch Day Challenge, where they’ll present their start-up ideas to a panel of experts featuring SMEs and civic leaders to ensure fair and informed decisions.
Stay tuned for more updates in the New Year as we drive entrepreneurship and inclusive growth in Newham! |
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Access government funding with the Trailblazer initiative
We’re excited to offer you a unique opportunity to grow your workforce while making a real difference in your local community. Trailblazer is part of the Government’s Get Britain Working initiative connecting local employers like you, with talented residents, ready to re-enter the workforce.
Our candidates have received outstanding wraparound support through Our Newham, including confidence-building and skills training, employability coaching, CV preparation and interview readiness and ongoing in-work support to help sustain employment. They’re now eager and equipped to succeed, and we’re confident they’ll bring value to your team from day one. We’re also offering you up to £2,000 to support the initial costs of their employment:
This is your chance to: - fill workforce gaps with motivated local talent
- access government-backed funding
- demonstrate your commitment to inclusive employment and community growth.
If you’re interested in taking on a Trailblazer candidate or would like to learn more, please get in touch today. Let’s work together to help Newham residents thrive, while helping your business grow. |
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Support local talent – offer work experience placements
Newham College is looking for local businesses to provide work experience opportunities for our students in the following areas: - Construction (Electrical & Plumbing)
- Engineering
- Motor Vehicle
- Design, Surveying & Planning (T Level - 315 hours of placement)
Our T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning equips students with practical skills for careers in the built environment. By hosting a student, you’ll help them gain real-world experience while supporting the future workforce. Placements are typically 1 week (5 days) and can be tailored to your capacity. If you’re interested in offering a placement or learning more, please contact us: |
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Does your business work on sustainability or the environment? Wednesday 18 February - 5:30-7:30pm Canning Town.
A new 'Green Skills' youth training programme is happening in the New Year, delivered by Repowering London, in partnership with Newham Council. The purpose of the programme is to develop the knowledge and skills for the jobs of the future, in sustainability and green jobs. The programme is for 16-19 year olds who live or study in Newham, and already the interest has been overwhelming.
We're inviting local businesses who work on sustainability and the environment to engage with bright, enthusiastic local young people, and give them an invaluable insight into the labour market and how to find their place in it.
We're also looking for businesses to host 2 days of work experience for a trainee. The students would be paid the London Living Wage directly by Repowering London for their time. Ideally, this would take place before the end of March. Get in touch with Ali to discuss further. |
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Help Shape Newham’s Future at Our Stakeholder Budget Engagement Session
Newham Council recently held budget sessions to discuss finances and savings options for residents and businesses. Although these sessions have ended, residents/businesses can still share feedback through an online survey, which will help shape final decisions for a fair and sustainable budget.
Like councils nationwide, Newham faces rising demand for essential services, especially adult social care and temporary accommodation, while income lags behind. Without action, the borough could face a £90 million annual shortfall by 2028/29, with £53 million tied to temporary accommodation costs.
To address this, the Council is reviewing all options: improving efficiency, raising income, and ensuring every pound spent benefits residents.
Watch Newham's Mayor explain how you can shape our borough's future here.
Read more about our approach here.
Share your views on the budget proposal below: |
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Have Your Say on Proposed Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs)
We are consulting residents/businesses on proposals for borough-wide Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs). PSPOs are used to address behaviours in public spaces that cause nuisance, distress or make people feel unsafe.
The proposals cover: - Street harassment
- Misuse of car parks
- Psychoactive substances
- Misuse of fireworks
The consultation is open from 8 December 2025 to 12 January 2026. Residents/businesses are invited to share their views before any decision is made.
Take part in the survey: |
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New year, new water pipes Thames Water updates drop-in session Wednesday 7 January 2026 - 9am-2pm Thames Water Bus Elmhurst Road E7 9PG
Thames Water is investing £40m in a programme of works to upgrade more than 50 kms of ageing Victorian pipes in your area. As part of this process, they are looking to replace the pipeline in two sections within Newham which are among the most vulnerable in the entire Thames Water region. The new plastic pipes they lay, will be much stronger than the existing cast-iron pipes. Strengthening the existing network which is crucial for delivering life’s essential services for years to come.
Drop-in session doesn't require advance booking so please come along to find out more.
Find out more information about the upgrades: |
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Small Business Series: Meet the founder Wednesday 28 January 2026 12:00-14:00 NatWest Moorgate, EC2M 6UR
Join Grow London Local in bringing together female founders from across London. This is a brilliant opportunity to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, share insights from your journey and get help with the challenges of running your own small businesses.
In this session, we hear from guest speakers and share practical business insights for business planning, sales, and pitching your business. Guest speaker: Erin Thomas Wong, The Life-Friendly Business Mentor.
Book your ticket: | Preparing for Self Assessment 2026: What small businesses need to know Thursday 15 January 2026 14:00-14:45 Online
From April 2026, Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) will bring significant changes to how self-employed individuals manage and report their finances.
Join us for an informative 45 minute webinar, including a Q&A – where we'll break down the upcoming MTD requirements and answer any of your questions on the topic. Whether you're a sole trader, landlord or small business owner, this session will give you the practical steps and confidence to stay compliant and avoid last-minute stress.
Book your ticket: |
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Our Newham Business & Enterprise will be closed during the festive break. Our calls and emails will not be monitored between 25 December 2025-1 January 2026. You can use our Contact Us Form and let us know how we can help, we will respond to all queries on our return. Council services and opening times will be different. Please check our website for revised dates and times for services during Christmas and New Year 2025/26. |
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Copyright © 2023 London Borough of Newham, All rights reserved. |
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Our mailing address is: London Borough of Newham, Newham Dockside, 1000 Dockside Road, London, E16 2QU. |
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