Regeneration and Renewal

Business Development

We have long been associated with manufacturing, but over recent years the picture has changed.

The majority of businesses within the borough now are in the wholesale/retail distribution sector, with a high proportion of financial and business services; transport, storage and communications companies and construction companies. Public services are also a major employer in the borough.

The manufacturing sector in Barking and Dagenham continues to employ a far larger proportion of the workforce than in London or the United Kingdom as a whole. The borough continues to enjoy advantages that make it a competitive location for manufacturing businesses.

It is strategically placed in the region with excellent road links west to the city and east to the London docks. These will be enhanced still further by improvements to the A13.

As heavy industry as shrunk, other sectors have grown, including, lower density manufacturing and transport, storage and communication operations. During the 1990s the construction industry grew and vehicle repair businesses clustered in the riverside areas.

However, the borough is home to nationally important employers such as Ford, Sanofi Aventis, Hi-Grade, Dairy Crest and Welbeck. We will build on their presence to help build local supply chains and networks.

The majority of jobs in Barking and Dagenham are now provided by small and medium sized enterprises, with an average workforce of 17 employees per company. The borough's stock of businesses is growing, but is still low compared to other London boroughs.

We will give priority to supporting Barking and Dagenham's small and medium sized enterprises and growing our stock of businesses still further.

Understanding local businesses

In February and March 2009, we carried out a business survey within the borough, to help us understand local business needs. We will use the findings to implement change and provide on-going support to the business community.

Economic Development Strategy

Our Economic Development Strategy sets out the following objectives:

Provide leadership and coordination to economic development in Barking and Dagenham
Help build the enabling environment for business growth - transport, the built environment and information and communication technologies
Make Barking and Dagenham a business-friendly council, so that our policy takes into account the needs of businesses
Support business growth, retention and competitiveness, working with our partners to ensure that our businesses are able to find sites, training and advice that they need to thrive within our borough
Promote social inclusion, encouraging the growth of social enterprise, intermediate labour markets and local entrepreneurs, so that all communities and neighbourhoods benefit
Help local into employment and into more rewarding, better paid jobs, by increasing their access to employment opportunities and improving their skills, mobility and employability
Use our power as a major local employer and purchaser of goods and services to foster economic growth in Barking and Dagenham

Economic Development Strategy PDF 1.36M