There are many reasons to be confident about doing
business in Brent. We are committed to supporting an
entrepreneurial culture.
Our work has already started, but 2015 is set to be even
better with new and evolving initiatives making a real
impact across the borough.
We are working with partners across the public, private,
voluntary and community sectors to provide co-ordinated
access to support and advice on matters relating to business
start-up and growth. The Council will continue to be
innovative in sourcing incubation and test-trading space for
local entrepreneurs; space which allows for sharing of learning
with peers and access to specialist support and advice. We will
continue to promote new talent and ideas through initiatives
such as Meanwhile Use and work with schools and businesses
to nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs.
In 2001 Brent launched its twenty year Regeneration
Strategy. With an ambitious vision to raise the quality of life
for Brent residents, the strategy firmly placed regeneration
at the centre of the Council’s priorities. We want
regeneration to work for our local residents – transforming
Brent’s physical environment so that local residents and
businesses can thrive, linking up the fantastic range of skills
and talent we have in the borough to the opportunities
created through regeneration.
Well over halfway through, the progress is clear to see.
This ambitious regeneration vision is driving positive growth
and change across the borough, from the iconic Wembley
Park development, to neighbourhood renewal in South
Kilburn. Plans are in place to improve the North Circular
Road, Alperton, Church End and Burnt Oak amongst others,
and the economic benefits from all of these programmes
will be felt by the surrounding communities. This physical
transformation plays a critical role in supporting the growth
of the local economy, the strength of local business and
employment opportunities for local residents.
This is evident in the growing number of small and medium
sized enterprises, comprising the lifeblood of the Brent
economy. Currently there are almost 11,000 micro
businesses registered in Brent - higher than both the London
and England average.
And it isn’t just small and medium sized enterprises that are
feeding Brent’s business economy. With a strong culture of
entrepreneurialism, the borough has a diverse business base.
Park Royal, London’s largest industrial estate, is situated to
the south west of the borough and transport links to central
London are excellent. Wembley Stadium attracts about eight
million visitors to Wembley every year; with 80 per cent of
these arriving on public transport, the Stadium brings
significant economic benefits to the area.
We are also committed to driving local spend by
promoting local subcontractors and suppliers through
the supply chain of construction sites across the borough.
Deriving social value from regeneration projects and Council
contracts and tenders is a vital way of creating valuable and
meaningful employment and apprenticeship opportunities
for local residents.
But there is still much work to do.
Even as we pause for a moment to reflect on the progress
made so far, I know we are already challenging ourselves
to make Brent an even better place to live, work and do
business. I know there is still much to come.
But for now, Brent is very much open for business.
11
Brent is
open for business
Brent is a great place to do business; a borough alive with
opportunity and growth.
Councillor Roxanne Mashari
Cabinet Member
Employment and Skills
