Think of this newsletter as your one-stop-shop for news and opportunities impacting your business.
WEBINAR: Digital Tools,
Software & Apps to Efficiently
Manage Your Small Biz
Date: Wednesday November 9, 2022 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
From accounting to scheduling, file sharing to project management, there are digital tools to help with every aspect of running a small business. Knowing which ones are right for you can be a challenge though. This beginner-level workshop will help you learn what’s out there to help you manage with efficiency and ease. This workshop is a free online webinar for small businesses in Ontario.
London Santa Claus Parade
This year’s London Santa Claus Parade is Saturday, November 12, 2022. Starting at 6:00 p.m. at Dundas and Egerton Streets, travelling West! The Parade Theme this year is “A Musical Christmas!” Don’t forget your letters to Santa! Please bring non-perishable food items for collection by the London and District Food Bank and remember to bring a toonie or bills for our annual toonie toss! Traditionally, there is no north/south access through Dundas along this section during this time. Head to their website to learn more details about the parade route and street closures.
How can the City improve
London’s Core Area?
The City of London is collecting input on the opportunities and challenges experienced in London’s Core Area. Input shared will be used to help develop the Core Area Strategy vision statements and areas of focus, which will guide future actions in the Downtown, Old East Village and Midtown neighbourhoods. Londoners are encouraged to visit the City’s engagement website, Get Involved London, to share their perspectives. Once finalized, the vision statements and areas of focus for Downtown, Old East Village and Midtown that will describe the key drivers for the Core Area Strategy will be integrated into the engagement process for Council’s next Strategic Plan and Multi-Year Budget Process.
Input may relate to things like economic growth, safety and security, residential development, accessibility, and arts and culture, as well as social and health issues, homelessness prevention and housing. Ultimately, we want Londoners to share their perspectives and provide input on where they would like to see the City focus future strategies related to Core Area improvements.
Survey deadline: November 9, 2022
Thank you: Louise Pyne
The Downtown London staff would like to thank our former Executive Assistant, Louise Pyne, for all of her hard work and dedication throughout the last eight years. We will miss you and wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
Welcome to Downtown London, Mara!
We would like to welcome our newest employee, Mara Fraccaro. Mara will be stepping into the role of Administrative Assistant here at Downtown London. Mara has a great deal of customer service experience and extensive administrative skills working for SIGMA Assessment Systems, London Life and Meleni David Law Offices. She also has a passion for theatre and music participating in many theatrical productions and attaining an Honors Bachelor of Music (Voice Performance) with Distinction from Western University.
2022 Holiday Window Grant
Has your Downtown business applied for the 2022 Holiday Window Grant yet?
Members can purchase lights, window paint, and other holiday themed decorations! We’re looking for creativity to inspire people to come inside! We’ll be promoting a Holiday Window Walk throughout the Downtown for the Holidays event.
By applying, members will be entered into the Window Display Contest where they can win $1000, $500 and $250 Downtown Dollars which is great for your own internal marketing and contesting. The Window Display Grant winners will also given a physical award to showcase their win to their community. We’ll announce the winners on Social Media on December 17.
Property Damage Grant
This is a one-time grant to help members with costs incurred to maintain business facade safety and security features. In order for a building to be eligible for the grant there must be an operating business located in the building. This grant is eligible for business owners repairing items related to business security, safety, and storefront cleanliness that have occurred in 2022.
Rise Like a Phoenix, Race Like a Turtle:
How to Chose to Live & Work Happy
NSM Media is offering a free in-person workshop to all Downtown London businesses on How to Chose to Live & Work Happy.
WHEN: Thursday, November 24, 2022 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
WHERE: Townhall Glass Room, Goodwill Industries, 255 Horton Street, London, ON
Light refreshments will be provided.
Why attend this presentation:
This engaging and entertaining session will help you discover and embrace some simple, effective solutions for proactively navigating the fundamental challenge of change. It will leave you feeling uplifted, relieved and empowered, leading to an increase in morale, engagement and effectiveness.
RSVP: By Friday, November 18to lorna@nsmbrandmedia.com or (519)-670-548
Christmas at our Place Event
Christmas at our Place is a holiday party for small to mid-size businesses. Tickets are $70 per person and include a holiday-inspired buffet dinner, music, dancing and door prizes. This event will take place on November 26th, 2022. If you don’t have a final number of guests yet, that’s okay. Final order confirmation and payment are due by November 11, 2022.
Canada Emergency Business Account
(CEBA)
– Program Repayment Deadlines Have Changed
The Government of Canada has extended the December 31, 2022 repayment date to December 31, 2023 for CEBA loan holders. You will be contacted by your financial institution with details for your specific loan.
The OUT and ABOUT Core Area
Gift Card!
We have started distributing the cards today to all of the businesses in the Downtown London BIA. We will try and distribute the cards as fast as possible, but because there are so many cards to deliver it may take a few weeks to get them into the hands of all the downtown businesses.
If you’re eager to get the cards, you or a representative of your business can come to pick them up from our office at 123 King Street. We’re open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm every Monday to Friday.
Downtown Dollar Gift Cards
Downtown Dollars encourage local spending and are a great gift for the “tough to shop for” people in your life. Sign up here to receive Downtown Dollar Gift Cards as a method of payment from customers. Reach out to members@downtownlondon.ca for gift card set up and assistance!
Financial Assistance
Click here for information grants and loans available to small businesses.