Business Support

THCDA, Tower Hamlets Co-operative Development Agency, provides a range of business services that are free and confidential. We work closely with individuals or groups who have a skill or idea that they wish to turn into a viable and sustainable business.

Our expertise is with working with groups of people who prefer to work together to achieve their objectives and who find that together they are able to provide the expertise and resources to be more successful than by going it alone.

We specialise in co-operatives where ownership and control are shared amongst the members. The co-operative business model is proven worldwide and is flexible and adaptable to a wide range of community and commercial situations. Co-operatives can be registered as a company limited by guarantee, limited by shares or as an Industrial Provident Society.

The services that we provide

• Services are provided to new and existing businesses in wide ranging programmes and in a supportive and friendly environment.
• Initial one to one interview
• Assessing viability of your proposal
• Assistance with business plan
• Development of cash flow
• Advice on legal structures
• Registration of the business
• Promotion and marketing
• Finding premises
• Raising finance
• Bookkeeping
• Training in participative management
• Enterprise skills training
• Advice on promotion and marketing

The way we work - our code

THCDA is committed to help you get started and running the business profitably. We believe that we have a unique business start up service:

• We give as much business advice and training as your business needs to succeed
• We provide a free service to residents of Tower Hamlets
• We arrange mentor support from a similar business to ensure practical support is available
• We work in business clusters to encourage the passing on of skills and expertise
• We work with groups that are marginalized that would not normally receive funding and support
• We have both men and women specialist advisers from the Bengali community
• We provide confidence raising structures in which people can try out business ideas without the worry of a total commitment
• We are outreach based on a number of housing estates
• We refer you to others when we cannot help you ourselves
  
  
  Download 'Writing your Business Plan'
  
  Download 'Writing your Cash Flow'