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Q: Why does Croydon need the CEDC?
A: Croydon needs the CEDC to lead the borough’s regeneration and the fight back against the recession. Call the business hotline on 020 8680 6161 for more information.
Q: I am looking at export markets, can the CEDC help me?
A: Yes, free help and advice is available for local businesses through the Croydon Enterprise programme.
Q: What is the CEDC doing to attract businesses?
A: The CEDC is promoting Croydon through a wide range of activities including marketing and lobbying to attract investment, as well as new businesses and jobs.
Q: What support is there from business rate-payers for the CEDC?
A: There is considerable support from Croydon businesses that see the urgency of its work in an economic slow-down. Town Centre businesses are also involved through their support for the Croydon Business Improvement District (BID).
Q: What is the CEDC doing now for individuals and businesses affected by the recession?
A: The CEDC is heavily involved in a number of initiatives, including a new information portal website, negotiations with local banks to encourage them to support businesses and town centre activities, including the Fashion Festival to attract shoppers. See www.croydoncrunch.org
Q: What are you doing to ensure that businesses have access to a workforce with the right skills?
A: One key project is the Croydon Retail Skills Centre being delivered with partners including Croydon College, JobCentre Plus and the council.
Q: What support is available to smaller, or ‘one man band’ businesses?
A: The Croydon Enterprise programme is well established in this area, offering a full portfolio of free support including advice, mentoring and affordable loans. See here: www.croydonenterprise.com
Q: Smaller businesses need access to up to date marketing contacts and other data, but are put off by the cost. How can the CEDC help?
A: Much useful data is provided free through the Croydon Enterprise programme. Call the business hotline on 020 8680 6161 for more information.
Q: What are the major challenges to do with Croydon’s image?
A: Croydon has an undeserved reputation – the new CEDC is investing in promotional activity that encourages people to look at the facts about Croydon.
Q: What is the Croydon Enterprise programme aiming to achieve?
A: We want to create a thriving local economy in Croydon. We provide a range of services and support to help businesses start and grow. These include business loans, help to combat crime, training … and much more. To see just how much more there is to our programme; see www.croydonenterprise.com
Q: I live in Streatham – can I get support from Croydon Enterprise to start a business?
A: Yes, but only if you can demonstrate that you plan to start up a business in Croydon.
Q: I live in Croydon, but want to start a business in Brixton - am I eligible for free support from Croydon Enterprise?
A: No – the Croydon Enterprise programme is for Croydon people, Croydon businesses and businesses relocating in the borough.
Q: Is support only available to people and businesses in New Addington and Norbury?
A: No. Our services are for all Croydon people, but not unreasonably we do focus a lot of attention on places where we consider there could be more business activity. See our website for more detail on the areas and communities we are focusing on.
More information here
Q: I see you are offering loans to help people start new businesses. Aren’t you just competing with high street banks?
A:No, we offer loans to people who, for all sorts of reasons, may not have been able to obtain a loan from mainstream sources. This might, for example, be down to the fact that they haven’t had a bank account for long enough to get the required number of credit-worthiness points. More information here
Q: Isn’t offering loans to people who have been refused by High Street banks bad business?
A: Not the way we work, no. We scrutinise each application for a loan. Unlike High Street Banks we can help applicants prepare a good business plan and, if they are successful in obtaining a loan from us, we provide follow-up support to give the new business the best chance of success.
Q: You are helping schools develop enterprise on the curriculum, which is all very well, but are you seriously saying that a school leaver can become an entrepreneur?
A: There are many examples of people who have started successful businesses, or become self employed, immediately after leaving school. We don’t claim that this is an option that is for everyone, but it makes sense to equip students with the right tools to be able to consider entrepreneurial options when they leave school. More information here
Q: You talk of ‘business mentors’ working for the Croydon Enterprise programme. Who are they?
A: A mentor is an experienced businessperson who helps foster business growth and provide experience and advice. It is not a substitute for professional business support. Mentors are trained and matched to the person being mentored by their skills and businesses. They provide direct, specialised support, face-to-face and over the ‘phone.
Q: Why do you offer security equipment free to businesses?
A:Criminal activity can affect people's livelihood and the economy of a neighbourhood - this is one reason why we support this work. Useful help and advice is also in the Safer Croydon Partnership's 'Community Safety Handbook', it is also on the Croydon Enterprise website.
More information here:
Q: Community and voluntary organisations aren’t ‘real businesses’, so why is the Croydon Enterprise programme supporting them?
A: You may not regard them as ‘real businesses’ but there are many voluntary organisations in Croydon which are run just like a commercial business. We are supporting those organisations to be run even more efficiently and make best use of funding. We also help them launch social enterprises, which provide a valuable service and which re-invest profits in community services. Also, this kind of support can help community groups become self-sufficient and less dependent on grants.
Q: You are building ‘Enterprise Opportunity Centres’ – what are they?
A: Enterprise Opportunity Centres (EOCs) are business launch pads – a local resource for local entrepreneurs. EOCs will provide affordable trading space, support and much more. The first, using redundant space in Park House, central Croydon, is due to open in October 2008. More information here:
Q: What is a ‘District Centre Manager’?
A: Our District Centre Managers (DCMs) are the Croydon Enterprise programme people on the ground. They are all energetic people, who work with local businesses and other Croydon Enterprise service providers to make ‘their’ districts more attractive places to shop and visit. They also run events, help get environmental improvements done, plus a range of other initiatives to bring in shoppers. We have DCMs covering Thornton Heath and Selhurst; Norbury, New Addington and Purley Way, South Norwood, Purley and Coulsdon.
More information here
Q: Your annual report says that the programme spent £11.7M in the last two financial years. What did Croydon get for that?
A: There isn’t space here to list all the programme’s achievements in helping regenerate Croydon’s economy. Full information is set out in our Annual Reports, but here are some outcomes for the last two financial years: 227 new businesses started up, a new, dedicated, beauty and complementary therapy training centre opened in Thornton Heath and 38 new retail outlets opened in district centres. All these examples happened because of our help and support. All our achievements are independently monitored and can be found in our annual report. Achievements like these led to Croydon being voted, ‘Most Enterprising Place in London’ in 2007.
Q: Why do you need ‘business friendly’ planning advice?
A: Advice on town planning issues, such as the law on changing the use of business premises can be complex and off-putting. Our Business Friendly Planners – we have two – are professionals who know their way round the system. Bigger companies have specialists like these on retainers, but that’s not an option for small businesses, or sole traders?
Q: You advertise Online Resources for Business (ORB). What is that?
A: It’s pretty much what it says – on-line, i.e. internet, business information on events, market surveys and more. These are up-to-date reference sources full of information that businesses need to target new customers and win new business. Again, this is a service that you normally have to pay for. We provide it free to local people who are members of the Croydon library service. More information here
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