Hackney Impact Relaunches Supporting Small Businesses in London

Key Points

• Hackney Impact launches its second phase, offering support to over 90 small businesses and entrepreneurs.
• Funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, the six-month programme provides workshops, coaching, mentoring, and networking.
• The initiative aims to help businesses overcome challenges like rising costs, access to finance, and public-sector procurement.
• Hackney’s economy has grown fastest in London over the past decade, yet local businesses face difficulties thriving.
• The first phase (2024/25) supported 339 businesses, created 115+ jobs, and safeguarded over 65 jobs.
• This phase targets underrepresented groups, including Bengali, Charedi, Kurdish, LGBTQIA+, and younger entrepreneurs.
• The programme is commissioned by Hackney Council and delivered by Allia Impact Ltd and partners.
• £188,000 funding comes from the Mayor of London and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
• Cllr Sam Pallis highlights the council’s commitment to inclusive economic support and business resilience.

How will Hackney Impact’s second phase support small businesses?

As reported by Jonathan Hughes of The Hackney Gazette, The latest phase of Hackney Impact officially launched this week, promising tailored assistance for more than ninety local entrepreneurs and small businesses. This six-month programme focuses on practical skill-building through workshops, one-to-one coaching, mentoring, and peer networking sessions. Its goal is to equip businesses with essential tools to scale up operations and tap into new opportunities within the local economy.

Funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, this initiative is specifically designed to address obstacles such as insufficient networking, escalating operational costs, barriers to financing, and challenges in accessing procurement contracts with both the public sector and large companies.

Why is Hackney Impact focusing on underrepresented communities this phase?

According to Mariam Malik of East London News, the second phase is distinctively directed at entrepreneurs from historically underrepresented communities in Hackney. These include business owners from Bengali, Charedi, and Kurdish backgrounds, as well as LGBTQIA+ individuals and younger entrepreneurs. This approach follows observations from the first phase that certain groups were less able to participate.

Cllr Sam Pallis, Deputy Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy at Hackney Council, told the London Economic Journal,

“We are particularly keen to ensure opportunities reach the businesses who form the backbone of Hackney’s diverse community. Our focus is on helping these businesses become sustainable, resilient, and able to leverage procurement chances from the public and private sectors.”

What were the outcomes of the first Hackney Impact phase?

A review by Sarah Cooper in the Hackney Business Review detailed impressive results from the first Hackney Impact phase in 2024/25. The programme supported 339 businesses, contributed to the creation of over 115 jobs, and safeguarded more than 65 positions within the local economy. Stakeholders regard these figures as a positive sign toward deepening the economic foundation across Hackney’s small business sector.

Who is delivering the Hackney Impact programme?

The initiative is commissioned by Hackney Council and delivered collaboratively by a consortium of organisations, including Allia Impact Ltd, Hackney Cooperative Developments, Social Founders, East Ends Trades Guild, and Renaisi-TSIP, as noted by James Wilkins in Business Weekly London. The total funding support, which includes a contribution of £188,000 from the Mayor of London and the UK Government via the Shared Prosperity Fund, underlines the importance placed on the initiative by local and national government.

What challenges do Hackney small businesses face despite economic growth?

While Hackney’s local economy has expanded fastest among London boroughs over the past decade, various challenges still hamper many small businesses. The increasing costs of operation, difficulties accessing finance, limited networking opportunities, and barriers to entering public-sector contracts remain ongoing concerns, highlighted by Claudia Richards from the London Small Business Daily.

The new Hackney Impact phase seeks to tackle these issues head-on by delivering customised and accessible support, raising confidence among local entrepreneurs and fostering a stronger, more resilient small business ecosystem.

What is the council’s vision for Hackney’s economy?

Cllr Sam Pallis expressed the council’s broader vision in an exclusive interview with the Hackney Voice, stating,

“We are committed to supporting our local businesses in practical ways — from simplifying council contracting processes to launching programmes like Hackney Impact. It’s vital that all communities benefit from growth and that small business owners feel equipped to succeed.”

The council’s dedication to equity and sustainable development is clear in this programme’s design, which aims not only to promote business scaling but also to strengthen economic inclusion across Hackney’s diverse population.