New Tier System
On Monday 23rd November, the government announced a revised tier system, which affects the gathering of people in various settings, as well as the re-opening of certain businesses and how they will continue to trade from the 2nd December.
Whilst we still don't know which tier Broxtowe will be subject to, it is wise to familiarise yourself with details of the revised tiers now, so plans can be made once the tier applicable to Broxtowe is confirmed.
We expect to hear from government on which tier, and by extension what restrictions will be applicable to Broxtowe, by the end of this week. Please check our website and social media channels for updates.
We remain under national restrictions at this time so please continue to follow the rules until 2nd December.
Business Re-openings from 2nd December
Regardless of the tier in which Broxtowe will enter into from the 2nd December, the following businesses and venues will be permitted to re-open:
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All non-essential retail - including indoor and outdoor markets and car boot sales.
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Personal care and Close contact services -such as hairdressers and barbers, beauty salons, tattoo parlours, nail salons, spas and beauty services, massage parlours and tanning salons.
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Certain leisure and sporting facilities
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Public buildings - such as libraries, community centres and halls. They should not host events for private hire, such as birthday parties or most other social activities in tier 3.
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Places of worship - communal worship can now resume, subject to relevant social contact rules in each tier.
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Allotments, recycling and waste centres, public toilets, car parks.
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Essential public services such as the NHS and medical services, courts, and jobcentre plus sites.
Read further guidance on upcoming changes across all tiers from 2nd December, by clicking 'All tiers info' below.
Safety checks for those re-opening from 2nd December
- Check fire alarms
- Check all extinguishers
- Make sure all exits are clear and operable
- Do a deep clean
- Flush water systems to avoid legionella
Also remember to continue with hands, face and space measures at all times to keep you, your staff and customers safe.
Business Grant Support Scheme
Businesses in Broxtowe can apply for these grants now.
These cash grants are for eligible businesses that have been affected due to the implementation of Tier 2, Tier 3 and National restrictions. You have until 18th December to apply.
More than £1.1m has been paid out by Broxtowe Borough Council so far to more than 400 local businesses.
Who can apply?
Further details of the eligible businesses can be found on our 'Support For Business' webpage. Further information on the five different grant schemes and the potential grant amounts payable can also be found here.
How to Apply
Using the same form for all the grant support schemes, businesses will need to provide:
- Information about their business, answering all questions in full,
- Evidence of their business bank account - with business name, sort code and account number,
- Any other supplementary evidence as per the form, depending on their business type.
Any missing information can cause delays in processing any applications.
Current National Restrictions
Since 5th November, England has been subject to national COVID-19 restrictions. To ensure you are following the rules, read the full guidance carefully.
Further to the initial announcement, the government have since provided clarification on some specific businesses/services that must close as a result of national restrictions. This is a result of FAQs from local authorities, leading industry bodies and federations. Confirmed closures include:
- Carpet fitting,
- Car washing,
- Kitchen and bathroom showrooms,
- Dog agility classes and puppy training classes,
- Baby sensory classes and baby yoga classes
- Soft play,
- Stand alone flower stalls, even where these appear within a garden centre,
- Shisha cafés.
Clarifications from government on Click-and-Collect
As per national restrictions, non-essential retailers are permitted to operate as a Click-and-Collect service only. In order to legally operate as a Click-and-Collect, the following applies:
- There must be no doorway adaptations, including the installation of temporary hatches or counters, to facilitate the collection of customer orders.
- Non-essential retail premises must not allow any customers to enter, under any circumstances. This includes for the collection of Click-and-Collect orders.
- Showrooms and other businesses must not operate appointment only viewing opportunities. This is illegal under current restrictions and also does not constitute as Click-and-Collect.
Click-and-Collect is different to Takeaway. Please visit our Open for Business page to see further details on business closures, those that can remain open and the different trading options during restrictions.
Still unsure what to do as a business during these restrictions?
If you are still unsure what this means for our business, contact COVID Information Officers Zahid Javed(if your business is located in Beeston) and Janice Owen (if your business is in Eastwood, Kimberley or Stapleford) as soon as possible.
Zahid.Javed@broxtowe.gov.uk - For Beeston businesses
Janice.Owen@broxtowe.gov.uk - For Eastwood, Kimberley and Stapleford businesses
Food labelling business tool
Food labelling requirements for prepacked for direct sale food (PPDS) will change from 1 October 2021 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. If you are a business that handles food, you need to be ready.
The Food Standards Agency have a useful business tool for helping deal with changes in allergen labelling for prepacked foods next year.
This tool will help you to identify the type of food your business provides and the allergen labelling requirements.
Use this labelling tool to find out whether the changes apply to your business and what you need to do.
Other News and Updates
Christmas Markets
The Council are looking at organising some COVID-secure Christmas fairs this year.
Changes to the tier system, which will come into effect from 2nd December following the end of national restrictions, means that non-essential traders will now be able to attend markets.
This is positive news for all markets, as the selection of traders and the goods available to purchase will be improved, meaning these Christmas markets can be the ideal place to source gifts.
If you are interested in having a stall at any of these events, contact our Markets Officer, Clair Storey.
Clair.storey@broxtowe.gov.uk
Growth Hub online events
D2N2 Growth Hub have some great online events this winter including:
26th November: Brexit Conference - Business Preparedness: Where Are We Now?
26th November: Getting Started with e-Commerce
26th November: Engaging with Images
Prepare for EU Exit now
Businesses in Broxtowe are now looking to make preparations and take actions before we leave the EU.
Keeping up with new COVID-19 restrictions and implementing extra measures to protect staff and customers during the pandemic has taken priority but now is the time to make sure you know what leaving the EU means for your business.
Go to https://bit.ly/transitionmidst to find out more.
Digital guide for food and drink businesses
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a new digital guide covering the key actions food and drink businesses may need to take after the EU Exit transition period (from 1 January 2021).
Not all the actions covered will be relevant to every business and businesses should continue to check the Government website for updates.
Hands Face Space
We cannot stress enough how important it is to keep going with Hands, Face, Space, every day. Please continue to:
- Wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds;
- Wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will coming into contact with people you do not normally meet;
- Stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing a face covering, or increasing ventilation indoors).
Budget Consultation
As we prepare to set our budget for the financial year ahead, we need Broxtowe residents to have their say on how they think their money should be spent.
We all know that the pandemic has had serious financial implications for the Council as well as residents, businesses and communities, so it’s never been more important for you to have your say our budget for next year.
To make sure your voice is heard please complete our online consultation before it closes on Monday 30th November.
Best Dressed Christmas Window Competition
As in so many previous years, Stapleford Community Group are again running a Best Dressed Christmas Window Competition this year.
Taking place from Saturday 5th until Saturday 12th December with winners being announced at 6pm on 12th December.
An independent judge will have the task of picking 1st, 2nd and 3rd places which is always a difficult task as the entries are always so good.
This is something that we know staff of businesses in Stapleford love to take part in and we know our residents love seeing all the different displays and doing some of their own Christmas shopping at the same time. It's a great opportunity to bring Christmas spirit to town and celebrate community spirit too.
Preparing for winter
It is that time of year when the weather can sometimes be even more unpredictable than normal. Wind, heavy rain and snow can all have an impact on operations. With additional COVID-19 restrictions in place, which may also affect your business, there is a lot to think about.
Don't get caught out this winter. Plan ahead and prepare for challenging weather now.
COVID Marshals join the team
New COVID marshals Elizabeth and Mark, are joining COVID information officers Janice and Zahid, as part of the Council's team recruited to step-up support during the pandemic.
The aim of the marshals is to boost local enforcement capacity and help slow the spread of coronavirus.
The COVID marshals will:
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Walk through all areas in order to help reinforce the importance of adhering to COVID-19 regulations and provide information, guidance and reassurance,
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Visit all areas of the Borough where businesses operate and identify where businesses are trading that they are trading safely and are not trading if they should be closed,
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Support COVID information officers Janice and Zahid, by also visiting premises and delivering COVID compliance advice positively, documenting any findings and highlighting any concerns to the environmental health team
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Answering queries from residents and businesses regarding COVID-19 regulations and giving advice where needed
Council services during the COVID-19 pandemic
We have a Support for Business page on our website which has lots of useful information about grants, schemes and links to guidance.
We are also sharing regular updates about affected Council services at https://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/coronavirus
You can also get updates on our social media accounts.
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