Key Points
- City Hall Participation: London’s Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, Howard Dawber, participated in the third annual Ealing Festival of Business hosted by the University of West London on Thursday, 15 October 2026.
- Acknowledgment of Economic Hardships: Dawber touched upon the growing economic hardships faced by local businesses due to rising costs, high business rates, and increasing commercial rents.
- Identification of Growing Economic Sectors: While facing macroeconomic difficulties, the City Hall highlighted growth in the creative, tech, and health sectors in London, besides an increase in tourism, sports events, and hotel projects.
- Support Programmes Encouraged: The local businesses were encouraged to use the “Grow London Local” programme that allows monthly networking and support meetings in independent cafes in Ealing.
- In-person Networking is Crucial: Sally Smith, Chief Operating Officer of the West London Chambers of Commerce, stressed on the importance of in-person commercial networking which cannot be matched by any means.
- Exhibition Participants: The exhibition included a broad range of participants such as solicitors, accountancy firms, security companies, financial services providers, Ealing Council, the University of West London, and corporate sponsors iFAST Global Bank and Barratt.
uk/local/ealing/">Ealing (West London Times) October 16, 2026 — Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth, joined local enterprise leaders, entrepreneurs, and commercial representatives at the third annual Ealing Festival of Business on Thursday, 15 October 2026, where he pledged ongoing support from City Hall to help firms navigate economic pressures.
As reported by Leslie Bunder of Ealing.news, Howard Dawber acknowledged the direct economic hurdles currently confronting small and medium-sized enterprises across the borough. As reported by Leslie Bunder of Ealing.news, Dawber stated that: “Well, look, we know it’s tough running a business right now. Costs are higher than they should be, business rates are higher than they should be. Rents have been going up because inflation’s been going up.”
The day-long trade gathering, held at the University of West London campus, was organised by the West London Chambers of Commerce. The event brought together commercial actors from across Ealing and the wider West London sub-region to network, form partnerships, and review local support networks.
What Are the Key Economic Drivers and Solutions Offered to Local Firms?
Despite macroeconomic headwinds, City Hall’s representative highlighted key sectors of the capital’s economy that present expanding opportunities for local commerce. As reported by Leslie Bunder of Ealing.news, Dawber noted that there remain strong grounds for optimism within London’s creative, technology, and health sectors. He further pointed to wider commercial benefits stemming from London’s tourism industry, major international sporting fixtures, and the opening of new hotel accommodation across the capital.
Reassuring local business operators during the exhibition, as reported by Leslie Bunder of Ealing.news, Dawber stated: “Well, first of all, we’re on your side.” He further elaborated on City Hall’s overarching objective, as reported by Leslie Bunder of Ealing.news, stating:
“We want you to be creating jobs in London and we want to help you get the investment, the space, the opportunities you need.”
To translate these commitments into practical assistance, Dawber encouraged local enterprises to participate actively in the Grow London Local scheme. The municipal initiative conducts monthly networking assemblies hosted within independent coffee shops and cafes throughout Ealing. Through these structured gatherings, business owners can build local networks, secure prospective commercial contracts, and access professional guidance on essential matters such as accounting and legal compliance.
Why Is In-Person Networking Critical for West London Enterprises?
The annual exhibition brought together a diverse selection of service providers, ranging from accountancy and legal practices to physical security companies and business consultancy advice services. Alongside trade stands, attendees participated in specialized seminars held jointly by Ealing Council, the University of West London, and major corporate sponsors including iFAST Global Bank and property developer Barratt.
Underlining the necessity of physical trade events, Sally Smith, Chief Operating Officer of the West London Chambers of Commerce, discussed the unique role of physical gatherings for regional commerce. As reported by Leslie Bunder of Ealing.news, Smith stated that:
“There’s nothing to beat face-to-face networking.”
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What Is the Background to the Ealing Festival of Business?
The Ealing Festival of Business was established by the West London Chambers of Commerce to provide a targeted platform for enterprises operating across West London’s seven key towns: Acton, Ealing, Greenford, Hanwell, Northolt, Perivale, and Southall. Now in its third consecutive year, the annual event has evolved into a prominent fixture on the regional commercial calendar, designed to connect local traders with higher education institutions, local municipal authorities, and regional government bodies.
The backdrop to this year’s gathering comes at a time when small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Greater London continue to grapple with sustained operational overheads. Driven by multi-year inflationary trends, businesses have experienced cumulative pressure from rising utility costs, elevated commercial rents, and increased business rates. The festival’s inclusion of academic institutions like the University of West London and municipal support bodies highlights a growing regional strategy to cushion local businesses through collaborative support structures, resource sharing, and public-private partnerships.
How Will This Development Affect Local Businesses and the Ealing Economy?
The formal engagement of London’s Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth at the Ealing Festival of Business indicates enhanced strategic alignment between City Hall, Ealing Council, and local commerce. For small and medium-sized business owners in Ealing, this development provides actionable pathways to municipal resources and institutional backing.
In the immediate term, local firms that engage with schemes like Grow London Local can expect improved access to professional guidance, legal assistance, and funding opportunities, helping to cushion the impact of high inflation, elevated rates, and rising commercial rents. Over the medium to long term, closer integration between West London enterprises, higher education providers, and City Hall is likely to improve local supply chain resilience, foster job creation within growth sectors such as technology and the creative industries, and boost overall economic stability across Ealing’s business community.
