www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk

Context

In the next 20 years, Barking and Dagenham will undergo its biggest transformation since the borough was first industrialised and urbanised. The borough’s population will rise by at least a third with the construction of 25,000 new homes. Our vision is for a well educated, highly skilled population, able to access new jobs from the varied opportunities available within the borough and elsewhere.

We are working towards becoming a genuinely business-friendly Council, fostering the development of a vibrant local economy and an associated culture of entrepreneurship. Our recent success, working with partners, in securing Local Enterprise Growth Initiative funding provides clear evidence of our commitment and the progress being made.

Location and transport links

Barking and Dagenham is a first class place for companies wishing to access London, with Central London only 20 minutes away.

The borough has excellent road links via the A13, A406, M11 and M25. London City Airport is less than 15 minutes drive time away. Future developments will see the East London Transit providing a link from Dagenham Dock to Ilford via Barking Town Centre and a DLR extension to Dagenham Dock.

Business development and sites

The borough is home to a range of nationally important employers, including Ford, Sanofi Aventis, Hi-Grade and Dairy Crest. While manufacturing industry has shrunk in importance it is still a significant local employer and at Dagenham Dock the presence of a state of the art plastics recycling plant will form the core of a Sustainable Industrial Park. Barking and Dagenham has a number of brownfield sites and new developments ready for occupation.

Recruitment

The Council is committed to ensuring that businesses can recruit as many of the people they need locally as possible. To this end the Council is working with a range of partners, including Jobcentre Plus, to offer a free recruitment service to businesses located within the borough. In certain circumstances vocationally relevant courses can be arranged prior to recruitment as can a range of in-work vocational courses.

Business Support

The Borough together with the London Development Agency and other partners has a wide range of business support ready to meet most needs whether of a start-up business or of a well-established one. In certain circumstances, financial assistance may be on offer.

For more information please contact Jo Sinclair in the Skills Learning and Enterprise Division, Regeneration Department at jo.sinclair@lbbd.gov.uk or visit us at www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk

Click here to obtain a copy of INWARD INVESTMENT