Business COVID-19 Update - 10th February 2021

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10th February 2021

Business COVID-19 Update


Growth Hub

D2N2 Growth Hub - New Business Events Added

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.

Below are some upcoming events that may be of interest to businesses in Broxtowe and are all FREE of charge.

 

Event: Stronger Supply Chains.

Time: 10.00am-1.00pm

Date: Friday 12th February

This workshop is aimed at decision-makers that depend on third-party suppliers to achieve their organisational goals. This includes business leaders, and managers within Finance, Procurement and Operations who want to share experiences, and practice using proven tools and templates to achieve stronger supply chains.

Sign Up: https://www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/events/stronger-supply-chains/

 

Event: Improving Your Websites Conversion Rate.

Time: 9.30am-12.30pm

Date: Tuesday 16th February

This workshop is aimed at any business looking to get more from their website. A conversion is different for every business but the principles of optimising a website to get those increased conversions is the same.

Sign Up: https://www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/events/improving-your-websites-conversion-rate/

 

Event: Creating a 'women in tech' network for the East Midlands.

Time: 8.45am-10.30am

Date: Thursday 18th February

The session will be led by Naomi Nash and will take participants through the catalogue of support offered to tech and digital founders, and the communities that support them, that Tech Nation offers, as well as some of the local initiatives. The workshop will give participants a framework which they can use to work in their business and build a successful career.

Sign Up: https://www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/events/breakfast-session-creating-a-women-in-tech-network-for-the-east-midlands/

 

For a full programme of future events, click 'Business Events' below.

Business Events


Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) Extension

Two of the COVID-19 grant support schemes being administered by the Council are closing soon.

  1. Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) is a discretionary scheme and has been extended. Now closes to applications at 5pm on Sunday 14th February 2021.
  2. Christmas support for 'Wet Led' pubs closes to applications on Sunday 28th February 2021.

APPLY NOW!

If you have not applied for the above schemes already, please follow the 'More Support' link below and complete the single application form. Responses to the questions will help staff to determine which of different schemes your business may be eligible for.

Further information on all grant support

More details of all the latest grant support, including the rates of payment for the schemes can be found by clicking 'More Support' below.

More Support


Shop for essentials safely thumbnail

Shopping for essentials safely

Throughout the pandemic, many businesses have been making the necessary changes within their premises and the way they operate to keep residents safe.  

The Council have produced a video urging residents to adhere to the rules when out doing essential shopping and be respectful of the adaptions businesses have put in place to be COVID-secure.

Click below to view the video and feel free to share via your own social media pages and communications to help spread the word!

View Video


Image of lady wearing a face covering shopping with blurred background

Hands Face Space

Did you know that around one in three people with coronavirus don't have symptoms? Staff and customers could be spreading the virus despite feeling fine.

Remember; Hands, Face, Space, every day. 

  • Wash hands regularly and for 20 seconds or sanitise hands if handwashing facilities are unavailable;
  • Wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult (less than 2m), 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 or door to increase the flow of fresh air to indoor settings, this will help to stop the virus spreading.


EU Exit Information for business


Check How to Export Goods tool

Earlier this month, the Department for International Trade (DIT) published online tools for UK exporters.

The tools provide product-specific and country-specific information in one place, making it easier to understand the changes that came into effect on the 1st January 2021.

The Check How to Export Goods (CHEG) tool is aimed at UK exporters and pulls together information on the UK border, duties, rules of origin and customs procedures. This tool will be added to the Council's EU Exit page in the coming days, but the can be accessed now by click the 'CHEG tool' button below.

CHEG tool

DIT have also now added a 60 second step-by-step explainer video on YouTube.

Video link


eu guidance thumb

Supporting Local Authorities to adapt to new rules: EU Exit

The government has published guidance on how it plans to support local government tiers, to adapt to the rule changes following the UK's exit from the EU.

The Council will use this resource to update it's own EU Exit page, with up-to-date information.

The Local government transition landing page, brings together key pieces of transition guidance of relevance to Councils, including on Environmental Health Certificates (EHC) and the EU Settlement Scheme.

The new guidance also offers key milestones that will affect businesses and information on how regulatory services will change.

Upcoming Milestone

  • April 2021 – new border checks come into force

From 1st April 2021, Port Health Authorities will be able to levy fees and charges for checks on imports of animal products (Products Of Animal Origin and animal by-products) and high-risk food not of animal origin.

View the full government guidance.

Gov Info

View the Council's dedicated EU Exit webpage.

 EU Exit


Guidance on Product Safety for Business

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) recently published guidance to help businesses comply with changed regulations.

The OPSS has produced a range of guidance and advice to help ensure businesses understand what is expected of them, including on issues such as the use of the UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking.

The guidance now includes a ‘What’s changed?’ summary guide to key changes. It also provides a clear indication of what rules and regulations have come into effect now that the Transition Period has come to an end.

You can view this new product guidance, as well as use the 'Brexit Checker tool' via our EU Exit portal. 

Read More


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.

More Info

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.