Business Grants Update in response to the Budget
Following the Chancellor's budget announcement, we are aware there are some imminent changes to the current Covid-19 Business Grants, some of which are due to close at the end of March.
We also acknowledge the newly announced business grants which will replace those existing support schemes, to be paid from April onwards.
We await further details on the announced support for self-employed people, through two further (and final) payments via the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS).
More details of these new schemes and other Covid-19 business support will be published on our 'Support For Business' webpage and a further Email bulletin later this week.
 Timeline for business reopenings
On the 8th March, providing the Government's 4 tests are met, some venues will be able to reopen as the per the roadmap for lifting National Restrictions.
The majority of businesses in Broxtowe which are currently closed, will remain so until we reach step 2. At this point non essential retail and hospitality venues (outdoors only) will be able to reopen. This will occur at least 5 weeks after step 1 and not before 12th April.
Businesses will be able to review our 'Open For Business' page to ensure they make the right preparations, in order to reopen Covid-securely when able.
Workplace testing now available
Businesses can sign up for testing to be conducted within the workplace. If your business is registered in England, you employ 50 people or more and your employees cannot work from home, sign up for workplace testing.
Your business will be provided with testing kits and guidance to be able to test your workforce regularly at your workplace.
Step 1
Register through the website https://www.gov.uk/get-workplace-coronavirus-tests.
Step 2
Once your business has registered for testing, please let us know by emailing us at LFDTestingPH@nottscc.gov.uk.
If this testing route is not suitable for your workforce, we encourage you to make use of the community testing sites (more info in the next section).
 Community Testing for 18-65s
1 in 3 people with COVID-19 have no symptoms so could be spreading the disease without knowing it. We are broadening testing to identify those showing no symptoms but who have COVID-19, so we can find positive cases more quickly and break chains of transmission.
From 25th February, there will be a community testing site at the Stapleford Library. Testing will be available for adults between the age of 18 – 65, who show no symptoms of COVID-19.
Stapleford will receive a batch of lateral flow tests, provided by NHS Test and Trace, as part of a new pilot to enable local public health leaders to start testing working age adults in our community. Rapid-turnaround lateral flow tests are a new type of technology, which provide results within an hour, and will be used to proactively test asymptomatic individuals.
Businesses are encouraged to promote this facility to their staff members, which will help identify cases and keep workforces safe.
Opening Times:
Sundays and Mondays - Closed
Tuesdays - 8am - 6pm
Wednesday - 7am - 5pm
Thursdays - 8am - 6pm
Fridays - 8am - 6pm
Saturday - 8.30am - 1.00pm
Do you have a lot of staff to test?
You might want to talk to us about pre-booking a regular slot for your business at our community testing site. To explore this option please contact press@broxtowe.gov.uk and your request will be passed to the project team.
For more information
 Recruitment Event in Notts
The Recruiting Talent in Nottinghamshire event brings together experts who can support businesses to change the way they recruit and retain staff.
About this online event
The online event is FREE to attend and aims to bring together local, regional and national businesses and experts to:
- Help employers to understand the current landscape around employment and skills;
- Help your business understand more about COVID-19 Economic Recovery Planning;
- Offer access to a range of workshops and a full 'marketplace experience', allowing you to meet representatives virtually from organisations that are fully funded to help ‘get people into work';
- Showcase the benefits of inclusive recruitment.
It also features senior level keynote addresses from a range of partners including:
- Nottinghamshire County Council;
- D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership;
- Department for Work and Pensions;
- Local, national and international employers;
- East Midlands Chamber of Commerce
- Local education establishments;
Time: 9.30am-2.30pm (Registration from 9am)
Date: Wednesday 17th March
For more information
Contact Maria Ward - Nottinghamshire Stakeholder Manager via maria.ward@nottscc.gov.uk or 07548 224423.
 Digital Upscaler Awareness
Is your business scaling at a fast pace? Are your growth plans on hold due to not having access to digital technologies, resources and knowledge?
If this sounds like your business you may be eligible to expert-led digital support and advice through the Digital Upscaler project.
The programme consists of:
- Intensive one-to-one digital adviser support
- Capital technology grants of between £10,000 - £50,000
- Funded diagnostic consultancy and support to implement new technology
- Digital strategy programme and Technology Forums
If you are interested, why not book onto one of the four awareness sessions available?
Dates: 10th and 24th March, 15th and 28th April.
Click below to book.
 Skills Access Hub
Businesses can now access free impartial advice from experienced Skills Advisors and develop action plans to close skills gaps within the workforce.
The plan could focus on upskilling the existing team, or look at ways to bring new skills and capacity into the business via apprenticeships, Kickstart, internships and/or graduate placements.
The dedicated team of Skills Advisers work with businesses on a one-to-one basis, to ensure support it tailored and responsive to business needs.
For more information, visit - https://d2n2skillsaccesshub.co.uk/
The Skills Access Hub is a 3-year project, part-funded by the European Social Fund, that offers skills advice and brokerage support to small and medium sized businesses based across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (D2N2).
 New HS2 Job Board
The construction of the new HS2 railway will create thousands of skilled jobs over the coming years – and it is vital that communities living along the route can access these opportunities.
HS2 has now launched a brand new jobs website to promote the 20,000+ roles that the project will support over the coming years.
Aimed at those looking for work or a change of career, the opportunity to search the very latest vacancies with HS2’s construction partners and station contractors delivering Phase One of the railway – this is first time that all the opportunities to work directly on HS2 will be available to search in one place.
Importantly, these jobs aren’t just for engineers and construction workers, they stretch from apprentice level up to senior management, covering a variety of disciplines.
Click the 'HS2 Job Board' below for more information
Click to view short video about the Jobs Board -
More about the HS2 project
As Europe’s largest infrastructure project, HS2 will underpin the construction and engineering sectors for the next twenty years – sectors that support nearly 10% of UK jobs and around 7% of GDP.
HS2 already supports 13,000 jobs, including over 400 new apprenticeship starts and over 650 individuals who were previously unemployed.
At peak construction the project will need 30,000 people to design and build the railway, including 2,000 apprentices – and 70% of the jobs needed to build the railway will be outside of London, helping to bring new opportunities and wider economic benefits across the country.
 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.
For a full programme of future events, click 'Business Events' below.
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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