As part of the support he gives to the Tooting business community and job creation, Dan Watkins visited the Trident Centre on Bickersteth Rd. At the heart of the Trident Centre is Business Launchpad, the charity founded 25 years ago to help local residents realise their dreams of starting a business.
Run by Colin Sambrook, Business Launchpad has an enviable record of success, with 85% of the businesses it helps still trading two years later. This shows how the combination of affordable office space, funding and commercial advice can allow even the least experienced entrepreneurs to achieve business success.
As Dan also discovered, Business Launchpad is today entirely self-sustaining. As such, it is able to provide invaluable support to its clients - often young and unemployed - start-up businesses and generate their own income, but without requiring council funding.
Dan commented: 'We will only achieve long-term growth and prosperity for all if we encourage even more aspiring entrepreneurs to set up thier own businesses, creating the jobs of the future. I remember my first start-up and how helpful it was to be able to call on the advice of business mentors when needed. As such, the support that Colin and the team at Business Launchpad provide is invaluable to ensure Tooting's small business community reaches its full potential.
I wish them continued success in the future and will be delighted to continue to support their excellent work.'