Get business support.
Get help and support for your business. We know that businesses are struggling with rising costs, energy prices, and continued inflation. We want to nurture and support businesses in Hackney to thrive. Below is a range of resources and funding aimed at supporting small businesses.
On this page:
Council services for businesses
Hackney Council has a range of support services. See below for how we can help your business thrive.
Affordable workspaces
Find a new property or workspace, and check out our Workspace Provider List. If you would like to register as an Approved Workspace provider, we can help.
Staffing and recruitment
Hackney Council provides a range of free and bespoke advice and recruitment services. Grow your team. Get access to local talent. Upskill your team.
Council services
Information for anyone operating a business in the borough including business rates, commercial waste, licensing, planning, procurement and more.
Marketing support
Need help with building awareness of your business? Are you struggling to get in front of the right clients? Get brand exposure by featuring your business on our channels.
Become a market trader
If you’d like to trade at one of Hackney’s famous street markets, we can help you through the process. New traders get a 25% pitch-fee discount on the first month.
Are you a green business?
Sustainability is becoming a bigger priority for businesses and consumers. We want a greener, healthier Hackney. Find resources and available funding below.
Find a business training programme
Are you a budding entrepreneur looking to start a business? Do you need help upskilling to help future-proof your business? Or are you interested in scaling up your established business? You can find a range of externally provided accelerator training programmes listed below. This includes programmes focusing on targeted skills training, coaching, and mentoring.
Allia Future Business Centre
Open to all small London businesses looking to grow. This free, three-month programme can help increase revenue and create local employment opportunities.
NatWest Accelerator Course
NatWest offers a range of accelerator programmes. The Entrepreneur Pre-Accelerator is a fully-funded eight-week course for entrepreneurs with a great idea.
Grow London Local
Grow London Local is a free regional business support service providing a range of support including access to finance, marketing to boost sales, upskilling, and much more.
Hackney Cooperatives Development
HCD supports the creation and growth of cooperatives and social enterprises through programmes like the Pioneering Social Enterprise in Hackney Initiative.
The Prince’s Trust
The Prince’s Trust runs in-person and online enterprise programmes aimed at 18-30 year old’s looking to start a business.
Heart of the City
Heart of the City supports SMEs in London to become more responsible. Small Hackney enterprises can apply for a funded Responsible Business Programme place.
Help to Grow: Management Essentials
Help to Grow: Management Essentials is a free, online course that explains the essential business concepts required for growth.
Upskill your tech and AI skills
With the rise of ChatGPT and AI technologies, the need for digital skills in the workplace is increasing. Do you need help with upskilling your team? Are you interested in a future in tech but don’t know where to start? Below are some helpful tech academies to get started.
Data and AI Academy
Hackney Council, in partnership with Cambridge Spark, is offering non-levy paying businesses access to data and AI programmes from industry experts.
OneTech
OneTech provides free support for underrepresented founders to start and grow a business, increasing opportunities for female and ethnic minority founders.
Local business networks
The Stoke Newington Business Association
The SNBA is a business-led member network supporting and promoting local businesses. Members can access exclusive ‘See you in Stokey’ promotional materials.
Hackney Downs Business Network
The HDBN is a business-led network runs local campaigns, a website showcasing an interactive area map and dynamic business listings, offers and opportunities.
Useful resources for your business
Accelerating Business Growth
Get expert business advice from 60+ advisers to help your business survive and thrive, including advice on loans, commercial finance and flexible working.
Open to Export
Open to Export offers SME support to grow internationally by exporting from the UK. Companies can share info, advice and export market opportunities.
British Library: Business & IP Centre
The British Library: Business & IP Centre is a valuable resource of information on intellectual property, advice sessions with experts and business training.
Small Business Research and Enterprise Centre
The Small Business Research and Enterprise Centre is a public service that supports anyone to start, run or grow their business with free info and events.
Legal Foundations
Legal Foundations is a not-for-profit LawTech startup with free legal guides, including website privacy policies that can help you get your business up and running.
