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Business Support

About Us

Supporting Business.
Shaping Watford.

Whether you're a start-up looking for guidance, an established business looking to grow, or a global brand looking to embed in the local business community, our team offers support to help you thrive.

START, GROW & THRIVE

The Economic Development Team at Watford Borough Council helps Watford businesses to start and grow by providing information and guidance, delivering events, and fully funded business programmes to support local supply chains, and up-skilling in the workplace.

They assist in maximising business opportunities in Watford through initiatives like the Watford Business Pledge and the Generation Watford careers fairs.

The team regularly meets with local businesses, ensuring the council remains accessible and supportive.To contact the team, email economicdevelopment@watford.gov.uk

it is our aim for Watford to be known as a successful, diverse and premier location for business, acting as the vibrant centre for the South West Hertfordshire economy, attracting forward-looking businesses and entrepreneurs who recognise its super-connectivity, outstanding skill base and flair for innovation.

Our businesses will join with us in championing Watford’s exceptional qualities and advantages, sharing in our ambition for a carbon-neutral future, whilst our residents will benefit from the town’s energy and drive and the prosperity and opportunities it brings.

You can find out more in Watford Borough Council's 'Council Plan'.
The Watford Business Pledge helps local businesses learn from each other and take practical action on social responsibility, including local jobs, supply chains, good business practice, sustainability and community support.

Open to businesses of all sizes, the pledge supports a thriving, responsible local business community.

An area on this site called the Knowledge Hub has a range of resources to help businesses work towards an award, alongside examples and case studies from current participants.

The council can guide businesses through the application process and connect them with other local enterprises.

For business support or to join the Watford Business Pledge, email the Economic Development Team to arrange a quick meeting: economicdevelopment@watford.gov.uk

Join the Watford Business Pledge community and access the benefits today.
The Economic Development team have been working with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), a leading lobbying organisation, to develop a bespoke Local Leadership document for Watford which sets out how the Council are providing leadership to support small businesses locally.

Watford Borough Council recently signed the FSB Local Leadership Partnership Pledge which cements the council’s continuing support for local small businesses, and marks the first adoption of the pledge within Hertfordshire and also the six counties in the East of England.

The Local Leadership Partnership Pledge is based on three key commitments from Watford Borough Council to:

Work with FSB to channel our business voice to enable policy to support the needs of small businesses in Watford, as set out in the local leadership document.

Create a supportive environment where our small businesses and local communities can thrive.

Continue with the post of Small Business Champion and single point of contact within the council.

Watford Town Centre BID is a business led initiative supported by government legislation which gives local businesses the power to raise and spend funds locally with the aim of improving their own business environment.

It is an investment scheme where local businesses agree how their money should be invested to benefit themselves, their employees, customers, clients and their town. The money is raised via a levy which businesses in the BID area pay.

This money is then reinvested back into the town on projects which have been identified as being important to the town.

watfordtowncentre.com
We're a small, dynamic team with big ambitions for our members, the business community of Watford and West Hertfordshire. Helping our members develop their businesses, and bring benefit to the wider community in which they trade, is why we exist.

www.watfordchamber.co.uk

@WatfordChamber
Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce is a privately run membership organisation which can open doors for local businesses and organisations of all types and size by helping them to grow their profile and connect with other businesses locally, nationally and globally.

As the British Chamber of Commerce’s (BCC) Accredited Chamber of Commerce for Hertfordshire members can benefit from association with 52 other UK chambers and a network of 18 chambers globally.

www.hertschamber.com | @HertsChamber
The FSB is the UK’s largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and small business owners. Their mission is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions.

As experts in business, they offer members a wide range of vital business services including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice in government.

www.fsb.org.uk | @FSBEastofEng

The council is keen to support local businesses, including SMEs and voluntary sector organisations, to bid for contracts with the council. While the council cannot choose a local firm over other providers simply because it is local, we do ensure that working with the council and our contract opportunities are available to local businesses. The council takes social value in to account in its procurements, ensuring that the council assists in:

creating new businesses, new jobs and new skills;

tackling climate change and reducing waste;

improving supplier diversity, innovation and resilience.

This is in accordance with the Government’s National Procurement Policy.

The council, along with other public sector organisations, is encouraged to split larger contracts into smaller ‘lots’, where appropriate, which can be helpful to smaller organisations, and are required to advertise contracts over £25,000.
Contract opportunities (which are valued above £25,000 and not procured through a Framework) are procured via Delta eSourcing.

This is an e-procurement system on which we advertise and manage our tender opportunities. Organisations can register on the portal to receive notifications of any current opportunities.

All public bodies, including Watford Borough Council, are recommend to advertise contracts over £25,000 on Contracts Finder, so you can also find national opportunities there.
A list of contracts which are to be procured or re-procured in the next 12 months can be found here. Information is contained for both Watford Borough Council and Three Rivers District Council.
Where a contract is valued in excess of the UK Procurement thresholds as shown below, the contract must also be advertised on the Government’s Find a Tender website. Any organisation is able to search this platform and receive free tender alerts from it.

Supply, Service and Design contracts: £213,477

Works contracts: £5,336,937

Social and other specific services: £663,540
The Supply Hertfordshire website represents public sector procurement within Hertfordshire at local and national levels.

Supply Hertfordshire provides you with opportunities to access potential business through quotations or tenders (depending upon the contract value) via a one-stop information point which also contains details of how to register your organisation for free
UK Law

The range of legislation that defines how the council must procure currently includes UK Procurement Regulations (especially the Public Contract Regulations 2015), Best Value Statutory Guidance, Equality Act 2010 and Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012.

The Government is currently reviewing this process following the UK’s exit from the European Union and issues guidance through its Procurement Policy Notices (PPN).

The Council’s Contract Procedure Rules and Procurement Strategy

The Council’s Constitution sets out the procurement procedures that the council must follow in acquiring the provision of goods or services. The Council's Procurement Strategy can be found here

Watford Borough Council Contract Register

The Council’s current contracts register provides information on our contracts and is updated every quarter.

Selling to the Public Sector

You can find out more about different ways of selling to the Public Sector here.

Procurement Contact

For more information on any aspect of procurement please contact:

Omobolaji Oladokun - Procurement Manager, Watford Borough Council

Tel: 01923 278131

Email: Omobolaji.Oladokun@watford.gov.uk

Since 2023 the council have run local supply chains support programmes and Meet the Buyer events to support Watford SMEs in bidding for larger contracts, and connecting large organisations ‘buyers’ with SME ‘supplier’s. This programme of support will commence again in Autumn 2026
To help businesses ‘Learn, Connect, Collaborate’, these events are an exclusive opportunity for Watford's exceptional business community to convene, learn, and network. Contact the Economic Development team to find out when our next event is: economicdevelopment@watford.gov.uk
Want to start or scale up a business? Hertfordshire Growth Hub is the entry point to all business support advice, information and resources in the county.

As the trusted growth experts, we join up national and local business support making it simpler for you to find the help you need, when you need it.

Since 2015, we have helped over 14,000 businesses achieve their goals and our team of knowledgeable business advisers are on hand to provide tailored support.

Part of Hertfordshire Futures, the Growth Hub service is brought to you by a team of business support specialists pooling their expert knowledge.

Hertfordshire Growth Hub
Since its formation in 2011, the LEP has played a pivotal role in determining and addressing local economic priorities. A dedicated team are focused on driving the local economy by boosting inward investment, key sectors, clean and inclusive growth by providing skills leadership, detailed economic intelligence, and a comprehensive package of support to Hertfordshire’s business community. This service offer continues under the new brand identity Hertfordshire Futures and its family of sub-brands and programmes of support:

Hertfordshire Opportunities portal (HOP): HOP enables employers to reach and recruit their future talent, and upskill and provide progression opportunities for existing staff. This includes a suite of Skills Bootcamps. Details here.

The Hertfordshire Careers Hub enables greater collaboration between clusters of schools by linking Careers Leaders, Enterprise Advisers and the Cornerstone Employer Group (a network of local businesses).

Hertfordshire Film Office was established in response to rapid and large-scale growth of the Film and TV sector, in order to maximise the potential of the sector and provide a coordinated gateway for productions looking to film in Hertfordshire.

The Connect To Work programme gives employers the chance to start or strengthen their disability/inclusion strategies with guidance from Supported Employment specialists. Delivered locally by Step2Skills, this free programme helps create more accessible workplaces.

Better Business for All (BBFA) was formed in 2013 and works to boost business productivity and growth by making it easier for businesses to access the regulatory support they need from Local Authorities such as Trading Standards, Environmental Health, Licensing and others.
Watford Opportunities supports Watford's small and medium sized businesses to upskill existing employees, support career progression, recruit and retain staff, address skills shortages and support Watford businesses to increase productivity and grow.

For more information about the Watford Opportunities Project, contact Skills Specialist, Lesley Leggett: lesley.leggett@hertfordshirefutures.co.uk to find out how she can support you and your business or visit: Jobs, apprenticeship and courses in Watford
Wenta is one of England's largest enterprise agencies. We're an independent, not-for-profit, social enterprise that exists to make it easier and greener to start and run a successful business. Watford is home to The Wenta Business Centre on Colne Way, just off the A41 which is an ideal location for both new and growing businesses. Free business advice (via telephone, live chat or in person) and webinars are available to all Watford residents and are run by Wenta’s experienced team of business advisors. Whether its advice on how to start a business, how to get your business online or sales tactics, the team can help.

Wenta also offers affordable, flexible and self-contained workspace for rental from offices to workshops, available on monthly terms and in a range of sizes. They are ideal if you need to find or re-locate your workspace to a more flexible and affordable option. The centre also offers a range of virtual office services and on-site meeting rooms for hire.

www.wenta.co.uk | @TheWentaGroup | @WentaWatford

SUCCESS STORIES

Discover why companies chose Watford and how our support programmes boosted business success

Introduction

The Watford FC Community Sports and Education Trust (Watford FC CSE Trust) has long been a leader of community engagement and education, using sports as a vehicle to inspire and uplift local communities.

In recent years, the Trust has expanded its mission to include a strong commitment to sustainability. This commitment has been recognised through its participation and success in the Watford Net Zero Programme, supported by the Watford Borough Council and led by Wenta.

Joining the Watford Net Zero Programme

The decision to join the Watford Net Zero Programme was driven by the Trust’s desire to comply with the Premier League Charitable Fund and English Football League Trust’s Capability Code of Practice. This step was essential to demonstrate the Trust’s dedication to sustainability.

Through regular engagement with the Watford Borough Council’s Environmental Managers Networks, the Trust connected with sustainability expert Michael Martin, marking the beginning of their transformative journey.

Achievements and progress

Since joining the Watford Net Zero Programme, the Trust has made substantial strides in its sustainability efforts. Initially starting at the Bronze level, the Trust has now achieved Gold level certification. This advancement is a testament to the Trust’s commitment and the effectiveness of the resources provided by the programme.

The programme has equipped the Trust with various tools and knowledge, including CPD-accredited webinars, online tools, and consistent guidance from Wenta’s Net Zero business advisors. These resources have been pivotal in helping the Trust understand how to calculate their carbon footprint and identify key areas where emissions can be reduced.

Collaborative efforts and future plans

The Trust is not resting on its laurels. It is actively working on innovative strategies to further minimise its carbon footprint. A significant part of this effort involves close collaboration with Wenta to develop a comprehensive action plan. Additionally, the Trust is working with Watford Borough Council to act on the findings of an independent energy assessment.

Broader impact and community engagement

The impact of the Watford Net Zero Programme extends beyond the Trust. Thanks to the efforts of the Watford Borough Council, over 300 businesses in Watford have embarked on their own Net Zero journeys, collectively receiving over 350 hours of support. This widespread participation underscores the community’s collective movement towards sustainability.

*This support was funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
Wenta has provided us with incredibly valuable, free education on how we can work towards being Net Zero, 1-to-1 support catered specifically to our business (which is hard to come by as every business is so unique).

It has been hard to find help on how to go further than just planting some trees, but Michael has given invaluable support in helping us navigate this.

"The Watford Net Zero programme has allowed us to become more confident in our passion for sustainability, and encouraged us to be more vocal about the action we are taking. We now look to the future with less overwhelm and more excitement.”

Rustic Studios

*This support was funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
"I would like to personally thank you for all your help and support. The sessions with you I have found very useful and helped me to build confidence and hunger for success. Initially, I was sceptical and reserved regarding bid writing but every single session I'm becoming more interested."

Alexandru Silitra at Rainbow Care

Benefitted from Watford Fit to Bid Programme

*This support was funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
"We entered the Branduin Fit To Bid programme to try and make some connections with local buyers. As a small business, it was a great opportunity to get some expert advice and help with making these connections.

"We had 1-2-1 meetings with Tracey. She is not only approachable but extremely knowledgeable in this area. She pointed us in the right direction within the 1-2-1s and outside of those was always willing to give help and advice where it was needed.

"She was also able to chase the people who needed chasing when it was outside of our scope. The Action Cards that she completed after each of our sessions were a great resource to refer to in the days following and I think even going forward they will be a helpful resource."

Kirsty Dyer at Democycle

Benefitted from Watford Fit to Bid

*This support was funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
Since July 2023, the programme has successfully delivered a total of 701 hours of business advice and support to Watford businesses, tailored to the specific needs of clients at each stage of their business journey.

32% of clients benefiting from this programme are in the pre-start phase, receiving essential advice and skills to develop and launch their business idea. 68% of clients are in the early-stage phase, receiving business advice and skills training to maximise success and survivability of their business.

The programme is supporting a broad range of businesses and industries, with ‘food & drink’, ‘health & wellbeing’ and ‘online retail’ being the most popular sectors. Notably, 60% of clients in the programme are from ethnic minority groups, highlighting the programme’s extensive inclusivity and reach.

Businesses supported = 26

Jobs created = 28

Businesses created = 18

Testimonials:

Pre-Start Client – Client Story Q1 24/25

A start-up mobile bar and food venture requiring guidance on how to best incorporate their business, understand website development and in establishing sources of funding reached out to Wenta to receive expert advice to help get the business under way. Following this, the advisor also provided advice on which insurances he would need, discussed aspects such as book-keeping and workshop space. The client is now clear on his next steps and has the support they need to start their venture

Early Stage Client Story Q1 24/25

Wenta are supporting a client within the Hair & Beauty industry to optimise their website. Following one-to-one sessions with our business advisors, it had become apparent that their website needed attention. As a result, the client is now able to resolve broken links, adjust their SEO settings to improve optimisation and look at indexing the website by Google. This crucial support has helped the client to move forward with their web developer.

*This support was funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
The programme has helped Watford residents who have struggled with getting a job or have disabilities access support. This support helps those who have been excluded gain access to resources, helps people with their mental and physical health and with their engagement in job searching.

Performance Metrics:

- 18 socially excluded people accessing support

- 12 people accessing mental and physical support leading to employment

Testimonials:

CLP Case Study – March 2024 – JR 1838 Watford

A Watford resident enrolled onto the project after losing their job in retail. They received support with creating their CV and were taught how to open and send emails with their CV attached by phone, to ease the process of applying for jobs. They were also helped with interview techniques using the STAR method and had a mock interview where they received feedback. This support has encouraged them to apply to jobs and feel more confident when doing so.

Client Story Q1 24/25 - Watford

A Watford resident was referred onto the Road to Employment project from Mind Network which provides 1 to 1 support. They were met by their mentor in a place they were comfortable with, and the basis of the meeting was explained to ease any worries. Confidence was identified during the meeting as something they needed to work on and were provided with resources to help. Their mentor accompanied them to their sessions until they were comfortable to go alone. Once their confidence has built up roles and opportunities will be discussed and due to their lack of funds, a laptop was secured allowing them to access online training, apply for roles and prepare for interviews.

*This support was funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

“We’re proud to be part of the Watford community. Watford has been home to our European Head office for over 20 years and we are delighted to now be able to build our home here. Watford is a fantastic place for a business like TJX Europe – within easy reach of central London and with great transport links to our stores and offices across Europe and beyond. We believe it is the right location to meet our ambitious growth plans in the years to come.”

Louise Greenlees President, TJX Europe
“With fast links into the capital and to Heathrow, The Clarendon Works offers an ideal location for forwardthinking businesses looking for best-in-class central London spec workspace – without central London overheads. We look forward to bringing Regal London’s design excellence, service -led approach and experience in residential, to bare on this office project prime location that will attract quality businesses to Watford town centre, enhancing further this prime location.”

Ghislaine Halpenny Director of ESG and Corporate Affairs
“Watford just works for us as a company – if it didn’t we wouldn’t have built our new Head Office here! We looked at other locations, but Watford just ticked all the boxes. We are able to attract some amazing talent in the local area and with our flexible approach to working and our new, easily accessible high tech offices, we are also able to attract the best people around.”

James Westoby, Managing Director Wunderman Thompson Commerce
"Home to major national and multi-national companies, Clarendon Road plays host to a spread of bluechip occupiers, who take advantage of Watford’s exceptional accessibility to London and the rest of the UK, via National Rail, London Underground and the motorway networks."
Watford has experienced recent regeneration and development. The area’s connectivity and amenities are attractive to companies looking to establish or expand a presence near London. The introduction of further new developments, such as a mixed-use scheme on Clarendon Road by Regal London, suggests strong confidence in the market and is aimed at meeting the growing demand for highquality office space.

"Rents in Watford are relatively affordable compared to other South East office markets, which has been a major attraction for businesses. Watford hosts a range of prominent office occupiers, reflecting its status as a key business hub. Notable companies with a significant presence include TK Maxx, which has established its new European headquarters there.

"Other significant tenants include KPMG and PwC, which underline Watford’s appeal to professional services firms. Additionally, the area has attracted tech companies like ACI and other prominent names like Ralph Lauren, FIS Global, Wunderman Thompson Commerce, Ricoh, and BioRad."

To find out more, visit knightfrank.com/research/article/2024-05-22-why-watford
Went

"An annual health assessment of the UK’s largest towns and cities outside London in 2024, undertaken by property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), has revealed Watford as the UK’s best place to live and work based on a number of metrics that contribute to overall growth prospects.

"The Hertfordshire town climbed from third position last year to knock Bath off top spot. Having debuted in the Top Ten in 2022, Watford’s steady climb reflects a transformation in its relative standing among the UK’s largest town centres.

"The LSH Vitality Index offers an objective health check on the UK’s largest 100 towns and cities outside of London based on a range of measures including economy, health and environment. Each location was ranked on three pillars: Economy & Business; Living; and Health & Environment.

For more information, visit lsh.co.uk/explore/research-and-views/research/2024/january/vitality-index-2024

Business Support

About Us

Supporting Business. Shaping Watford.

START, GROW & THRIVE

SUCCESS STORIES

Supporting Business.
Shaping Watford.