InStreatham

Entries open for new awards which celebrate Lambeth’s brilliant community

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Entries are now open for the prestigious BeLambeth Awards, a celebration of Lambeth’s vibrant community. In partnership with Lambeth Council, this exciting new awards programme, sponsored by Clapham Park, CLS Holdings, and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, invites submissions starting from today.

Businesses and individuals have until Friday 31 May to submit entries across ten categories, including Inclusive Employer of the Year, Climate Action: Sustainable Impact Award, and Apprentice of the Year.

Visit the Awards website to view all ten categories and enter the awards today.

Spanning from South Bank and Lambeth to Vauxhall, Brixton, Clapham, and Streatham, the Be Lambeth Awards aim to honour those who make exceptional contributions to the community. Through the awards, winners will gain recognition, business growth support, and broader publicity.

The awards are open to all organisations and individuals living and working within the borough. Finalists will be announced on Wednesday 19 June, with winners revealed at an Awards Ceremony and networking evening in September, hosted at a prestigious Lambeth venue.

This inaugural event is backed by leading borough businesses and sponsored by Clapham Park, CLS Holdings, and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Additional support comes from APCOA PARKING UK, Bouygues UK, Breyer Group, NRT Group, and Willmott Dixon.

Stay tuned for more details on the Be Lambeth Awards. For sponsorship and support enquiries, contact Shelley Cook at scook@wlcreative.org.uk.

https://belambethawards.co.uk/

LTN Impact Survey results

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We conducted a survey with our businesses to learn more about the impact of the Streatham Wells Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN). By employing a data-driven approach, the BID was able to include the responses of its members in Lambeth Council’s formal decision-making process and this was shared with the relevant officers and Councillors.

The past couple of years have been challenging for small businesses and the impact of the various factors raises valid concerns. Among the key observations highlighted by the survey is a range of concerns which include increased congestion and poorer air quality on Streatham High Road, appointment-based businesses taking fewer appointments due to disruptions to access routes, and logistical challenges related to deliveries. Majority of respondents also stated that they have seen a loss in custom and an impact on sales since the LTNs were implemented.

While concerns have been raised, it’s important to acknowledge the diverse perspectives within the community. This undoubtedly is a balancing act of the immediate needs of businesses and broader environmental issues. There are inevitably stresses and strains as we all transition to meet the needs of a net zero economy. Our role is to assist in that transition and at the same time to ensure that we mitigate pressures on our members so that they have opportunities to benefit too.

Concerns of local businesses:

  • Much longer routes in and out of the area for owners, clients and suppliers
  • Reduced footfall for businesses dealing directly with the public
  • Loss of custom, negative impact on businesses, less passing trade  
  • Restricted access for deliveries. Large lorries being directed down small side roads
  • Long-term impact on business/ local economy
  • Increase in Traffic/Pollution on main roads / increase in pollution (cars forced to take a longer journey on congested main roads)
  • Traffic Concern about impact on buses e.g. increased journey time
  • Worsens air quality 

On March 7th, Lambeth council suspended the Streatham Wells Low Traffic Neighbourhood amid these concerns, impact on public transport as well as upcoming works on the A23 due to TfL healthy streets improvements starting as soon as May.

While we are pleased with the decision, we’re actively monitoring the situation and will keep our members informed as soon as we receive any updates regarding the timeline for the TfL cycling scheme on Streatham Hill.

Take part in Streatham Festival Art Trail 2024

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Get more visibility for your business to Streatham locals by taking part in this year’s Streatham Festival Art Trail!

Consider hosting one or more resident artists during the Festival between 11th to 20th October 2024.

This would entail allowing an artist to display their artwork in your window or other prominent space.

In return your business will be featured on the Festival website, on the Art Trail map, and promoted on social media. So lots of free publicity, and lots of new walk-ins!

Members of the public will be walking the art trail over the course of the week to view the art and discover the fabulous mix of shops, cafes, bars and businesses Streatham has.

Streatham Festival Art Leads, Susanna Abel and Bernadette Griffin will be matching artists to suitable venues with the support of InStreatham so please get in contact before April 30th to find the perfect art for your premise.

Contact Susanna or Bernadette

Choose to Reuse

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Since it was formed in 2018, Plastic Free Streatham has been at the forefront of the battle to reduce the consumption of disposable plastic in Streatham and increase awareness about its environmental impact. Their latest initiative, the “Choose to Reuse” campaign, marks another step towards a greener future; the campaign aims to decrease the usage of single-use coffee cups and the immense amount of waste generated by our coffee consumption habit.

They have conducted multiple visits to all independent coffee shops since autumn, urging owners and managers to provide a discount to customers who bring their own reusable cups and as a result, 16 coffee shops in Streatham now offer this special discount. 

By choosing reusable options and supporting cafes that prioritise sustainability, you can make a tangible difference. Simply bring your own reusable cup to any of these 16 coffee shops and you’ll automatically receive a special discount on your purchase.

Disposable cups may seem convenient, but their impact on the environment is far-reaching. The InStreatham reusable cup aims to address this by promoting a greener alternative that you can call your own. To get your hands on your own InStreatham cup, pop into Café Barcelona, Creative Soul and The Indigo Tree.

Please join us in supporting the campaign and CHOOSE TO REUSE! By rejecting single-use cups, we take a crucial step towards reducing unnecessary waste and lessening our carbon footprint.

For more information, follow Plastic Free Streatham on Facebook and X @EcoStreatham or get in touch at plasticfreestreatham23@gmail.com

Get free expert business support

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London Business Hub has now become Grow London Local, delivered by London & Partners.

Grow London Local is the one place to get free access to the support you need to grow your business in London – that’s anything from events, online resources, how-to guides and webinars to 1:1 sessions with your local Business Support Manager. Whether you’re a hairdresser, wholesaler, mechanic or any small business owner, Grow London Local gives you access to expert business support, designed for small businesses just like yours.

Free Health Checks for Workers – Age UK Lambeth

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Age UK Lambeth is working alongside the Health and Wellbeing bus to tackle health inequality across the borough. This new initiative is looking to connect workers with health services across the borough, offering referrals and signposting through our new Wellbeing Champion. If your workers have any health concerns, please put them in contact with the Wellbeing Champion!

They’re also looking for businesses to work alongside them, helping to host events where workers are offered rudimentary health checks by the Wellbeing bus (BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol, mental health) and signposted to appropriate resources. These events would not cost your business anything. They would only need space nearby in order to park the Health and Wellbeing bus.

If your staff ask for health support, Age UK Lambeth can help. Please enquire if you’re interested, as your assistance will help tackle a widening health gap within the borough.

Businesses of interest:

  • Industrial business (e.g. manufacturing, packaging, distribution, etc.)
  • Business operated by workers with worse health outcomes (e.g. staff on minimum wage or zero hour contracts, BME people, disabled people)
  • Hospitality
  • But all inquiries are welcome

Please contact Nicholas Dypoldt, Wellbeing Champion, if you have any questions or would like to take part. Find out more here.