Lambeth has been crowned joint winner for Best Programme of Support for Small Businesses at the annual Small Business Friendly Awards, alongside Sutton.

The awards ceremony, now in its fourth year, took place on Thursday March 30 at the Kingsway Hall Hotel in Holborn. It seeks to recognise the work done by London boroughs which helps to nurture and grow local small businesses.

Cllr Jack Hopkins, cabinet member for business, culture and regeneration, said: “This is a fantastic recognition of the work we’ve done to support small businesses in Lambeth.”

Left to right Cllr Jack Hopkins and Small Business & Enterprise Officer Nathan Vasey 

Lambeth was praised for its Lambeth Works programme, which seeks to provide affordable workspace for startups and small businesses in the area. Plans include generating 140,000 square foot of workspace within in the next five years.

The programme has already seen successful ventures like Pop Brixton, once disused land, being turned into a creative space for startups in retail, food, social enterprise and design.

The council’s initiative also strives to prevent workspace losses in the Lambeth borough.

Cllr Jack Hopkins said: “We have improved the look and feel of our high streets and encouraged business friendly council planning and licensing policies…There has never been a better time to start or run a small business in this borough.”

Other winners in the South-West London area included Wandsworth borough for Best all-round business friendly borough award and Merton borough for the Best small business friendly procurement to support local trade award.