Local businesses and entrepreneurs across Redbridge are being invited to visit a pop-up business hub launching this week.

The project launches on Wednesday from 5.30pm until 8pm on level three of Exchange, Ilford Shopping Centre, in High Road, and will continue to run until October 29.

Deputy Leader of Redbridge council, Cllr Wes Streeting, will officially launch the hub at 6pm followed by a speech from Geoff Hill, chairman of the Redbridge Chamber of Commerce.

The hub will offer free one-to-one advice sessions from experts in licencing, business rates, planning, IT and recruitment, free wi-fi and meeting room, a business library, networking opportunities, and workshops on a variety of topics.

The hub will be open from 10am until 6pm on Tuesdays to Fridays for people to join up as members and get access to support.

Also, each Saturday the hub will be open from 10am until 6pm to members of the public who are interested in starting up their own business.

Cllr Streeting said: “We want to support small and start-up businesses as much as possible. This is a fantastic way for them to get useful advice locally and really give themselves the best start possible.

“We’ve got a lot of new and exciting companies in the borough and we want to make sure they have the skills and support they need to continue to thrive and in turn play their part in boosting the local economy.

“It’s a completely free resource and I’d really encourage owners of small businesses or people thinking about becoming self-employed to pop in and take a look.”

Mark Colleran, operations manager at Exchange Ilford, said: “We are very pleased to be able to support this initiative.

"It provides a great opportunity for anyone who’s thinking of starting a business to gain expert advice and network with like-minded local entrepreneurs and who knows, we may even find a new retailer in the process."