Clapham Park New Deal for Communities
| Project title: | Outreach for Communities |
| Dates run: | January 2004 - March 2005 |
| Boroughs held: | London borough of Lambeth |
| Funder: | Clapham Park NDC (New Deal for Communities) |
The Clapham Park New Deal for Communities (NDC) programme was a community-led initiative which aimed to achieve transformational change within an area of Lambeth suffering from multiple deprivation. The creation of local employment is crucial to achieving a healthy labour market within the Clapham Park area and, as such, is central to achieving sustainable social and economic regeneration.
The health of the local business community is a key determining factor in terms of potential to create sustainable employment choices for local people. Consequently, identifying and addressing the enterprise support needs, aspirations and priorities of Clapham Park’s residential and business communities was one of the key objectives of the Clapham Park NDC programme. GLE oneLondon was commissioned to undertake a mapping survey of local businesses, and to particularly highlight 'hidden enterprises' within the area (including community enterprises, social enterprises, and the informal economy).
GLE oneLondon was also commissioned to deliver a business and enterprise support programme to residents within the Clapham Park New Deal for Communities’ programme area, which included existing businesses and residents in the area who wish to start up in business.
Key highlights:
- A programme of innovative workshops to cater for both those with a well developed idea and those that may never have thought of self-employment as an option. The programme also looked at the needs and concerns of the existing businesses within the area
- An office in the Clapham Park Estate opened to more effectively engage with the local community.
The results:
- The majority of NDC programmes have not attempted to uncover “hidden enterprises”, although many of them have enterprise support officers and projects in place.
- 397 questionnaires were sent out, and 25 people in the street were interviewed, including trades-people, cleaners and drivers.
- Every business address on the database, and a further 44 businesses in the NDC area (including every shop on the Clapham Park Estate) were visited by GLE oneLondon business advisers.
- GLE oneLondon found that residents and businesses in the area wanted:
- Increased choice and variety of retail offer within NDC
- Increased options for business premises
- Business support and increased awareness of Clapham Park NDC business related activities
- Establishment of a Clapham Park Business Forum
Download Identifying Business Needs in the Clapham Park NDC area report
Contact us:
For more information about this past project, please contact Liam Hickey on liam.h@gle.co.uk
