The Hatch Business Newsletter October 2025 edition is packed with new tools, free support, funding insights, and early access to exclusive spaces — everything small business owners need to stay ahead this month.
What’s Been Going on at Hatch?
The Hatch Portal is Now Live
We’re excited to share that the Hatch Portal is officially live.
The portal is your new all-in-one space for finding commercial properties, accessing resources, and arranging one-to-one property advice. It’s designed to make your property search and setup process as smooth and efficient as possible.
You can now explore the Hatch Portal here.
New Free Support Available
We’ve recently launched a new free service to help you save time and money when sourcing professional suppliers.
Through the Hatch Portal, you can now ask us to enquire with trusted suppliers on your behalf. Whether you’re looking for solicitors, surveyors, contractors, funders, fit-out specialists, or EPOS companies, we’ll gather quotes from reliable partners and find the best option for your business.
If you’re interested in using this service, please get in touch with us at hello@hatch-retail.space to get started.
We’ve also introduced a fully functional Business Rates Calculator, which allows you to identify your rates payable and see what relief may be available to you. Try it here.
Best Locations For Small Businesses
Why Westminster?
Westminster continues to stand out as one of the most dynamic and rewarding areas for small businesses in London.
While it may not be the most affordable location in terms of rent or rates, the return on investment has consistently proven excellent for many operators. The area benefits from a constant flow of office workers, residents, tourists, and government visitors — providing strong, year-round footfall that few other districts can match.
Its central location, exceptional transport links, and proximity to iconic landmarks make Westminster a high-visibility area where well-positioned businesses can build strong brand recognition and achieve sustainable growth.
From boutique retail and grab-and-go cafés to destination restaurants, Westminster offers a unique balance of prestige, activity, and opportunity. This makes it one of the most strategic and profitable places to establish a presence on the London high street.
Funding
UK Funding Bodies
If you’re looking to fund innovation or expansion, several key UK funding bodies offer grants and support for ambitious businesses. See some examples below:
Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA): Backs breakthrough technologies and transformative innovation across sectors.
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR): Funds research that improves health and drives innovation within healthcare and wellbeing industries.
Wellcome: Provides grants to organisations and startups working on health, climate, and equity-focused challenges.
Each of these bodies supports projects that demonstrate innovation, strong delivery potential, and social or economic impact.
The Key to Securing Grants
Winning grant funding is about more than having a good idea. To improve your chances, focus on three essential steps:
- Identify your suitability: Ensure your business fits the scope of the funding call. Assess whether the competition aligns with your company’s stage of development, readiness, and technical focus.
- Understand the assessors: Most assessors look for strong innovation, clear deliverability, and alignment with funding priorities. Read the competition criteria closely and tailor your proposal to their expectations.
- Craft your application: Tell a clear and compelling story. Be technical where needed, but avoid unnecessary jargon. Write with your assessor in mind and communicate your vision with clarity and confidence.
News and Opportunities
Off-Market Property Available in Wandsworth
We are pleased to share an exclusive off-market opportunity at 521 Old York Road in Wandsworth, currently occupied by Beaufort & Blake.
This property sits in a highly visible high street location with strong local footfall. It has been recently fitted out to a high standard, offering excellent potential for retail or hospitality use.
If you’re interested in learning more about this property, please email hello@hatch-retail.space for details.
Eight Former Starbucks Sites Now Available
Following a recent review of its UK portfolio, Starbucks has permanently closed several company-owned stores across the country, including locations in London, Reading, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Norfolk.
This change has created a unique opportunity for new operators to secure prime, ready-to-trade spaces in high-traffic areas. Many of the sites were well-established coffee spots with strong visibility and existing fit-outs, making them ideal for brands looking to move quickly into proven trading locations.
For hospitality or café operators seeking high-quality, fully equipped units, these former Starbucks stores offer a rare chance to step into well-positioned premises with strong local catchment and consistent footfall.
If you’d like help locating where to find out more about the availability of these sites, or similar upcoming opportunities, get in touch with hello@hatch-retail.space.
Hackney MP Launches New Community Gift Shop at Boxpark Shoreditch
A vibrant new pop-up has opened at Boxpark Shoreditch — Home of Impact, a community art gallery and gift shop by local social enterprise ImpactSOS. The space showcases handmade products from grassroots groups tackling social and environmental challenges, including Nurture Academy, Hackney Mosaic Project, E14 Honey, Hackney Herbal, Quilt Club, Threadheads, Radojunkie, Health Garden Clinic, and RenewEL.
“Our goal has always been to shine a light on the people doing incredible work in their communities,” says Craig Smith, CEO of ImpactSOS. “This store gives them a platform to be seen, celebrated, and make some money.”
The shop runs until 21 November at Boxpark Shoreditch, Unit 37-41, with every purchase directly supporting the community makers behind the products.
