Administrative/biographical history

The South London Business Initiative (SLBI) was established in 1986 by Business in the Community. Business in the Community was part of HRH Charles Windsor, Prince of Wales' charity, the Prince's Responsible Business Network.

SLBI ran a small business development centre in south London which provided personnel and financial support to companies. The SLBI's aims were to underline the factors necessary for the success of small businesses (ie affordable rents, favourable council taxes, access to reasonable lending rates); and to provide training and assistance from professionals.

During its ten years, SLBI supported business from the design, fashion, electronics, food, manufacturing, publishing, PR and theatre sectors. The size and origins of the businesses varied enormously, but the business' founders were mostly from the south London area and under the age of thirty.

SLBI created over 30 initiatives to promote small business growth in the south London area including Accounting Software, Arches, Consultancy, Fashion South, IT Work Placement, Local Purchasing, The London Directory of Managed Workspace, North Peckham Estates, Peckham Enterprise Centre, South London Business, and Youth Enterprise Centre.

SLBI was placed in voluntary liquidation in September 1996 having completed its programme of work.

Scope and content

Papers of South London Business Initiative, including: Fashion South exhibition papers, including publicity and catalogue photographs, programmes, press cuttings and papers regarding fashion and design businesses from the centre participating in the Fashion Show (1987-1991); South London Business Initiative papers, including annual reports, fifth anniversary sponsors event papers, publicity photographs, newspapers, publicity materials and event photographs (1987-1993); Mercury Asset Management Youth Enterprise Centre papers, including photographs, press cuttings, papers of the successful businesses, posters and press releases regarding the successful businesses launched from the centre (1988-1992); and Enterprise Centres papers, including refurbishment, launch and general events photographs (1988-1991).

Quantity

5 boxes.