Economic development team
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About the Economic Development Team
We are responsible for stimulating growth by supporting local business, creating job and skill development, strengthening identity and diversification of our town centres.
Supporting local businesses
Barnet has more businesses than any outer London borough, 94% of which are ‘micro’, employing nine employees or less. Micro businesses are therefore the foundation of our economy, employing over 130,000 people. We support them to thrive and help them to address a range of challenges such as access to talent, demand for flexible workspaces, and the lack of grow-on space for successful businesses that want to remain in or expand within the borough.
Creating job and skills opportunities for local people
Having a workforce with the right skills and training is an essential ingredient for economic growth. We work in partnership with education providers across our local schools, colleges and university’s and the wider business community to ensure that local education and skills provision meets the needs of employers and that those who live or study locally have opportunities to develop, whilst also working with development partners to maximise apprenticeship and training opportunities through regeneration and development schemes.
More about our approach to Employment and Skills
Strengthening the identity and diversification of our town centres
With changes in shopping habits and the wider economy, many of our high streets are struggling with vacant shops, and this issue is being exacerbated by the economic impacts of COVID-19. We recognise that Town Centres need to become more diversified, transform into economic centres, become social and community hubs and deliver affordable workspace and spaces for market traders in Barnet’s town centres.
More about our approach to Town Centres