Just 9 days until EU Exit - take action now!
With 9 days to go - have you read up on the guidance and how your business will be affected?
Businesses in Broxtowe should visit the Council's dedicated EU Exit webpage now, to look at the actions they need to take immediately.
This webpage will continue to evolve over the coming months and will become the one-stop resource for businesses in Broxtowe, to view up to date information in relation to the UK leaving the EU.
Trading arrangements during the Christmas period
Although you are able to meet friends and family on the 25th December; Broxtowe is currently in Tier 3 and as such, all the restrictions under Tier 3 around the operation of businesses will remain in place until they are further reviewed by government.
Please Note - this guidance has changed from that mentioned in last week's bulletin.
The situation can change quickly so we would recommend checking the Government website regularly for updates.
What should my business plan for?
All businesses that are currently closed under Tier 3 restrictions are reminded that they are only be permitted by law to operate as takeaways, provide Click-and-Collect or delivery services.
The exemptions recently announced by government, apply to the gathering of people in other settings (namely private homes), not businesses and apply in Tiers 1 to 3 only.
It is important to distinguish that the temporary Christmas Bubble exemptions on 25th December are separate to the tier system, and that the rules associated with each tier remain in place throughout the entire Country.
Trading arrangements
Below is an overview of the trading arrangements that will remain in place.
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In Tiers 1 to 3, the Christmas Bubble exemption only applies to defined household rules on 25th December only and not to any hospitality, accommodation or entertainment venues, where other restrictions apply.
- Hospitality settings in Broxtowe therefore must not accommodate bookings for consumption of food and drink (including alcohol) on the premises.
- People must not have a work Christmas lunch or party, where that is a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted by the rules in your tier. Where rules are found to be broken, both the business and customers in breach of those rules may be fined.
- People can only stay in a hotel, hostel or B&B, in line with the rules in your tier. In Tier 3, in order to be located near your Christmas Bubble, you can stay in a hotel between 24th and 26th December, as long as you’re staying by yourself or with other members of your household, or support bubble. You should not gather as a Christmas Bubble in a hotel, hostel or B&B unless a member of your bubble lives there permanently.
- Some business owners have enquired to local authorities if they are able to open their premises fully during this time, building on their adapted collection and delivery options to local customers - This will not be the case and will not be permitted under law as Broxtowe remains in Tier 3.
Further extensions to financial support packages
Following an announcement by HM Treasury on 17th December, it was confirmed that there has been further extensions to the following support schemes:
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Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (Furlough) - Now extended until 30th April 2021.
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Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) - Now extended until 31st March 2021.
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Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) - Now extended until 31st March 2021.
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Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) - Now extended until 31st March 2021.
Revaluation 2023
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has begun contacting businesses to request rental information to support the next revaluation of business rates in England and Wales – Revaluation 2023.
Businesses in Broxtowe will start receiving letters now, about the Revaluation process. Once you receive this letter, please follow the steps detailed, in order to help the VOA keep accurate and up to date records of business rates.
What is Revaluation?
At Revaluation, the VOA assess and adjust the rateable value of business properties to reflect changes in the property market. There have been several Revaluation exercises over the last decade and it is an ongoing process.
It is worth noting that the rateable value is not necessarily the amount you will pay in business rates and in many cases, there will be no change in real terms for a business following Revaluation, where various forms of business rates relief will likely still apply.
Why now?
The COVID-19 outbreak has significantly affected many businesses, so the updating of rental information is vital in reflecting the impact of the pandemic.
It is also important to help reduce the number of appeals resulting from the next Revaluation and the potential financial burden this could create.
Click 'Revaluation' below in order to read more about the process.
Update to guidance for retailers: Returned items
Some businesses may not be aware, that following further research on transmission patterns, the government announced that it there is no longer a need to separately store goods that have been returned or donated for 48 hours before they are displayed again.
Keeping your business Covid-secure in Tier 3
In Broxtowe, many businesses are permitted to continue trading during Tier 3 restrictions.
Alongside the 2nd December re-opening to customers entering premises in non-essential retail settings and close contact businesses, others like pubs and restaurants still have the option to trade on a takeaway, delivery or Click-and-Collect basis, where they can.
It is vitally important that where a business continues to sell goods and services to customers, this must be done so Covid-securely.
To view the latest Covid-secure guidance for your specific businesses setting, please visit our 'Open for Business' webpage. Here you will be able to find direct links to guidance packs for how you must operate Covid-securely by law.
Other News and Updates
Stapleford Christmas Window Decorating Competition
Congratulations to Magali who were chosen for first place for the 2020 Stapleford Christmas Window Decorating Competition.
Congratulations also to Robert Ellis Estate Agent who were chosen for second place and Stapleford Lighthouse Charity Shop who came third.
Thank you also to the independent judge who had to make the tough decision this year, with so many good entries. Huge thanks also to the shops and businesses for making the high street look absolutely amazing this year. Merry Christmas!
D2N2 Growth Hub - Business Events
The D2N2 Growth Hub continue to offer valuable help and advice to businesses in Broxtowe. This includes various events delivered online due to the pandemic. Most events are free of charge.
Some FREE upcoming events that may be of interest to businesses in Broxtowe include:
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Event: Be Your Own Boss - Business Start-Up Support.
Date: 5th January 2021
Time: 10.00am - 12.00pm then 1.00pm - 3.00pm
More info: https://www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/events/be-your-own-boss-business-start-up-support-1/
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Event: What's new in Social Media?
Date: 11th January 2021
Time: 2.00 - 4.00pm
More info: https://www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/events/whats-new-in-social-media/
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Event: Social Enterprise Support Webinar
Date: 19th January 2021
Time: 9.00am - 12.30pm
More info: https://www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/events/social-enterprise-support/
For a full programme of future events, click 'Business Events' below.
Food labelling business tool
Food labelling requirements for prepacked for direct sale food (PPDS) will change from the 1st 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.
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 1st 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).
Ventilation
As part of the Hands.Face.Space campaign, people are also being urged to take steps in order to increase ventilation in their homes and businesses. This is especially important as more and more people are spending time indoors during the winter months. By opening a window to increase the flow of fresh air to indoor settings, this will help to stop the virus spreading.
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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