Lewisham's Young Mayor, Shane Grant, has proposed the establishment of a Lewisham Youth Enterprise Hub aimed at fostering entrepreneurial skills among young people. The initiative, which has a proposed budget of £25,000, was presented at a recent Mayor and Cabinet meeting.

The hub will be accessible to young people aged 14 to 21, with an extended age limit of up to 25 for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

A street scene in Lewisham featuring shops, a bus, and people, potentially illustrating the town centre improvement programme or areas of special local character.
A street scene in Lewisham

The hub would offer a range of support, including start-up grants, co-working spaces, mentoring programmes, and workshops on business planning, marketing, and finance. The proposal also includes Shark Tank-style pitch events where young entrepreneurs can present their business ideas to a panel of peers and local business leaders, with winners receiving grants and tailored support.

Grant highlighted the importance of empowering young people to develop entrepreneurial skills, launch socially impactful businesses, and engage with the wider Lewisham business community. He stated, Through a combination of mentoring, funding, co-working spaces, and community support, the project aims to foster innovation, confidence, and long-term opportunities for economic independence for young people.

The budget breakdown includes £10,000 for start-up grants, £3,000 for co-working space setup, £5,000 for mentoring and workshop development, £5,000 for staffing and coordination, and £2,000 for marketing and outreach.

During the meeting, Councillor Edison Huynh, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, praised Grant's work, stating, I think you and, of course, your deputy, Jermaine, as well, you've represented young people so well. I've heard you speak at multiple different events, and you're always the best speaker in the room, including this room. I'm always astounded by the fact that you can give such speeches without notes and with intention and impact at such a young age. And I think your credit to yourself, to young people, and to Lewisham.

The proposal is intended to be embedded within the Youth Service and become a core part of the newly designed services, ensuring its sustainability. The proposal was presented at the Mayor and Cabinet meeting on 25 February 2026, as detailed in the Decisions 25th Feb 2026 Mayor and Cabinet document.

A historic pub with a distinctive green facade is shown, representing a potential Area of Special Local Character in Lewisham.
A historic pub in Lewisham