SMEs in London to benefit from finance hubs

Fahad Redha

April 27, 2026
3 min read

SMEs in London to benefit from finance hubs

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will receive support to help them navigate the “increasingly complex funding landscape,” reports London & Partners, as dedicated finance hubs are set to be launched in London. This is part of the wider Business Support Strategy that hopes to make it easier for businesses to get the help they need to get off the ground.

Grow London Local Money was launched in April by London & Partners to “provide a clear entry point to information on finance and investment, alongside guidance on how to access them.” It will be available through the Mayor’s Lonon-funded Grow London Local programme which it says “already supports thousands of micro and small businesses across the capital.”

Fuel-Saving Myths That Could Be Costing UK Drivers More Money

Experts warn that commonly believed fuel-saving tips may actually increase costs and reduce vehicle efficiency.

UK Automotive Industry Urges EU to Protect £80bn Trade Relationship

Car manufacturers and industry leaders call for urgent action to safeguard critical trade ties between the UK and EU.

UK Growth Forecast Cut as IMF Warns of Global Economic Pressures

The IMF lowers the UK’s economic outlook amid rising geopolitical tensions and concerns over global stability.

London is home to over 980,000 SMEs, more than anywhere else in the UK. They account for around 99.8% of all businesses in the capital. London & Partners says they are “critical to London’s economy,” but warns that “access to finance remains an obstacle to growth.”

Data from Grow London Local finds that just over three-quarters of businesses across all stages of growth are seeking funding, with research from the British Business Bank finding that 72% of SMEs likely to postpone growth plans unless finance can be secured.

The challenge for many SMEs, according to London & Partners, “is not the availability of finance but navigating the system,” adding that “complex application processes, a growing range of finance options, and more cautious lending mean support can be difficult to identify and compare, at a time when businesses are also facing rising operating costs.

It adds that among London’s business community, “women, minority ethnic entrepreneurs, and founders with disabilities continue to face structural barriers to starting and scaling businesses,” with 49% of Asian ethnic minority entrepreneurs citing “difficulty getting finance” as the reason to stop working on their business idea.

Stay tuned to EyeOnLondon for the latest news and expert opinions.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest videos and updates!

We value your thoughts! Share your feedback and help us make EyeOnLondon even better!

About Author

Fahad Redha

Fahad is the Content Editor at EyeOnLondon, overseeing the publication’s editorial output across news, culture, and lifestyle. With a background in journalism from the University of the Creative Arts, he brings a broad range of experience from local London reporting in Kensington & Chelsea, where he held roles including motoring, events, and health editor. At EyeOnLondon, Fahad plays a central role in shaping content and maintaining editorial standards. His work spans everything from daily news to feature coverage, with a particular strength in motoring and events. He also incorporates photography into his reporting, adding a visual layer to many of his stories. Fahad joined EyeOnLondon in February 2021.