How to protect your small business in London

Running a small business in London is very rewarding – but with it comes making sure that your employees, customers and premises remain safe at all times.

This blog outlines some of the safety-related support available to small businesses like yours, from government initiatives and training programmes to local resources that can help you protect your business and thrive.

London's small business community is a vibrant part of the city, and Grow London Local's Business Support Managers are on hand to talk and offer help wherever it's needed.

Find advice and guidance on:

• Financial support.

• Insurance and compensation.

• Keeping your business premises safe.

• Wellbeing support for business owners and their employees.

• Emergency support.

Financial support

Find guidance on what to do if your business operations are interrupted:

• London Business Partnership: Property Advice Service.

• Ofgem: Getting help if your business cannot afford its energy bills.

Insurance and compensation

There is help available for businesses that have had property damaged or stolen.

You must report the crime to the police. By doing this, you'll be given a crime reference number. Next, you'll want to consider making a claim for compensation.

If you're insured, you must claim via your insurer first. Physical damage to businesses – and interruption to business operations – is covered as standard by most business insurance policies.

If you aren't insured or don't have adequate cover in place, there are still several steps you can take to reduce the impact and seek potential recovery:

• Report the incident to the police: this creates an official record of the incident, which may be needed for any future claims, legal action, or support from other agencies.

• Document the damage or loss: take detailed photos and keep records of the damage or stolen property. Include receipts, inventory lists or other documents that show the value of the items affected.

• Explore government grants or support programmes: in some cases, local councils or business support organisations offer grants or financial assistance to businesses affected by theft, vandalism or other crises.

• Consider emergency loans or business grants: if the loss has affected your ability to continue operating, emergency business loans or grants from local authorities or private institutions (such as Start Up Loans or Newable) might be suitable for such situations.

Keeping your business safe

You can take steps to protect your business premises against damage and crime – for example:

• Testing burglar and fire protection systems.

• Assessing windows, doors and other entry points and making them more secure if necessary.

• Removing any combustible materials (materials that can easily catch fire and burn) from the outside of the building.

Other resources to help keep your business safe

• Health and safety: Reporting accidents and incidents (Grow London Local).

• How to carry out risk assessments for your business (Enterprise Nation).

Wellbeing support for business owners and their employees

Taking time to reassure staff, review risk assessments and implement any measures necessary to keep workers safe should be a priority.

Mind's confidential support line is available for you to speak to an adviser between 9am and 6pm from Monday to Friday (except bank holidays).

London's online wellbeing service Good Thinking supports anxiety, stress, low mood, sleep problems and other concerns.

Able Futures provides professional support for people who are experiencing issues such as anxiety, depression, grief or stress, or who are struggling to deal with problems, such as debt, disrupted sleep or relationship breakdown.

Other wellbeing support for you and your staff

• Eight ways to manage the symptoms of stress (Grow London Local).

• WEBINAR: How to approach wellbeing as a small business owner (Grow London Local).

• Resources for managing your team’s health and wellbeing (Grow London Local).

• Hospitality Action Helpline: support services to help hospitality businesses and individuals.

• The Mayor of London has a series of guides to help support the wellbeing of businesses and employees across the capital:

  • Digital resources for wellbeing [PDF, 408 KB].

  • Financial wellbeing in the workplace [PDF, 279 KB].

  • Five ways to wellbeing [PDF, 277 KB].

  • Flexible and remote working [PDF, 227 KB].

  • Positive psychology at work [PDF, 319 KB].

Emergency support

• The Metropolitan Police has shared crime prevention advice for businesses [PDF, 923 KB], which helps firms of all sizes and business sectors tackle business crime in partnership with the police.

• Shout is a free and confidential text messaging service available 24/7 for anyone in need of support.

• Samaritans' volunteers are available to listen and talk at any time, day or night, via a free 24/7 helpline.

Further support for small businesses

• Find your local Business Improvement District (BID).

• GroceryAid offers practical and financial support to all areas of the grocery industry, from manufacturing and supermarkets to wholesalers and distribution.

• Developed by The Ubele Initiative, Bayo offers a digital directory of initiatives, community groups and mental health services for the Black community.

• The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network (BAATN) is a network of therapists of Black, African, Asian and Caribbean heritage.

Find the right support for your business

At Grow London Local, we understand that you’re passionate about your small London business. That’s why our website is packed with resources tailored to you. Find more support