The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has launched a new support hub for struggling small businesses, as applications also open for a new £1 million fund to help London’s firms survive the dual impacts of Covid-19 and Brexit.

Businesses in the capital are facing huge uncertainty, both from the consequences of Covid-19, and preparing for the possibility of the UK failing to secure a deal with the EU by January 2021. The London Business Hub will provide a range of free support and funding opportunities to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) of all sectors.

It includes an online portal (www.businesshub.london) to help London’s businesses to start, sustain and grow, and a programme to equip around 240 businesses in the capital with the leadership skills necessary to safeguard against future economic shocks. SMEs will get advice on business rates and landlord negotiations, and also how to navigate government support schemes and recover reduced revenue streams.