Don’t forget that there’s only a few days left to enter the Best of Royal Greenwich Business Awards 2018
BY DENISE HYLAND
shuz@slpmedia.co.uk
Businesses must submit their nominations by 5pm on November 17 to be in the running for any of the 10 categories which cover everything from Business Start Up to Independent Retailer and Employer of the Year.
If you know a business which deserves to win an award, please do encourage them to enter before the closing date.
Even being shortlisted would provide a huge boost for them, helping them stand out from the crowd, increase trade, boost staff morale and lead to positive publicity. You can find all the details you need, including all the categories and the entry form, by visiting www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/businessawards2018
Living Wage week might have ended on Sunday but fair, decent pay for everyone is an important issue all-year round. I am proud that the Royal Borough of Greenwich voluntarily opts in to pay staff and subsidiary companies the London Living Wage, as well as many of our partner organisations.
London is a fantastic city but it’s undeniably expensive so I welcome the news that the London Living Wage is set to rise to £10.20 an hour to help make people’s lives easier. Royal Greenwich has been a Living Wage employer since September 2013 and the borough is home to more than 100 London Living Wage employers which is something we should be proud of and continue to build on.
Christmas is fast approaching so I’m delighted that our calendar of free festive events starts tomorrow with Eltham Lights Up from 4pm to 7pm.
There’ll be lots going on from live music and street performers to free rides on a vintage double decker bus and a chance to look around the police and fire stations. Don’t miss the spectacular lantern display at 6pm, which in keeping with the lighting up the night sky theme, will include moons, stars and galaxies. The Christmas light switch-on will be followed by a spectacular pyrotechnic finale.
Community town centre events are a great reason to get together with family and friends and do some late night Christmas shopping.
If you can’t make it tomorrow, put the Greenwich Christmas Festival in Cutty Sark Gardens on Saturday, November 25 in your diary and next month we have the Woolwich Winter Warmer, December 2 and Thamesmead Christmas Sparkle December 8 to look forward to.
For more information about our Christmas events, visit www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/christmasevents
Last but not least, I’d like to invite you to share your views on our exciting Woolwich Creative District plans. The informal drop-in consultation in Building 41 on December 2 will be accompanied by pop-up entertainment to give you a taster of what’s to come. As it’s happening on the same day as the Woolwich Winter Warmer why not pop in and have a look at the fantastic historic buildings after enjoying free ice skating on the rink outside?
I can’t mention the creative district without a quick reminder of our bid to be named London Borough of Culture in either 2019 or 2020.
The winner will receive £1.1million to deliver access to cultural projects for the whole community and it’s also a once in a lifetime opportunity to put Woolwich, Thamesmead and the east of the borough on an equal footing with historic Maritime Greenwich.
Tell us what you would like to see in the cultural programme. Keep tweeting your views @Royal_Greenwich using #mylocalculture and #GreenwichMeans or by emailing culture@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
Denise Hyland is leader of Greenwich council
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