 Free rapid tests for all businesses
Businesses of all sizes in Broxtowe have 1 week to sign up to the free coronavirus workplace testing programme.
How to implement within your business?
Businesses are encouraged to register their interest by 31st March to order free lateral flow tests for their employees.
Why rapid test?
Rapid testing detects cases in under 30 minutes, meaning positive cases can isolate immediately, breaking chains of transmission.
Click below to watch the video message from Councillor Tim Hallam (Chair of the Jobs and Economy Committee), on why testing is important.
Covid Support Grants closing next week
What does my business need to do?
If you have already received any business support grant from the Council since November 2020, then you do not need to complete a further application.
If you haven't received support since November 2020 and have not yet applied for any, you have until 31st March to do so.
Please do not apply if you have previously been found ineligible for a grant, as eligibility criteria has not changed.
Grant support for business after 31st March
There will still be businesses which must remain closed until at least 12th April 2021, once Step 2 of the Government's plan to reopen certain businesses and settings is entered into.
To help support businesses, new Restart Grants will be available to those eligible, covering the legal closure period between 1st April and eventual reopening.
Please do not attempt to apply for Restart Grants yet, as the application process is still not finalised.
Click 'Restart Grants' below for more information.
There will also be a further Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) provided to the certain businesses outside of the scope of the upcoming Restart Grants, on a discretionary basis.
Payment amounts, application process and eligibility for future ARG payments also remain unclear at this time.
Other financial support for business after 31st March
For further information on:
- Extension to the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS),
- Extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (Furlough),
- Recovery Loan Scheme.
Please click on 'Support For Business' below.
 Community testing sites
The Borough benefits form two community testing sites, one in Stapleford and the other in Kimberley.
Who can access the site?
Testing is be available for adults between the age of 18 to 65, who show no symptoms of COVID-19.
Employees are encourage to make use of these tests, where there employer has not yet signed up the rapid testing initiative, which is now available to all businesses, not just those employing 50+
Businesses have until 31st March to register directly for the Rapid Testing Initiative (see section above).
Community testing site opening times
Please note that both community testing sites will be closed on Friday 2nd April (Good Friday).
Stapleford Opening Times
Sundays and Mondays - Closed
Tuesdays - 8am - 6pm
Wednesday - 7am - 5pm
Thursdays - 8am - 6pm
Fridays - 8am - 6pm
Saturday - 8.30am - 1.00pm
Location: Stapleford Library, Church Street NG9 8GA
Kimberley Opening Times
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Tuesdays - 10am - 5.30pm
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Fridays - 10am - 5.30pm
Location: Newdigate Street Car Park, Newdigate Street NG16 2NJ
 D2N2 Peer Networks
The Peer Network programme is open for SMEs In D2N2, which include Broxtowe.
Peer Networks enables you to make connections that go far beyond networking. Overcome business challenges with Peer Networks.
Spaces now available for our Peer Network cohorts on:
- BAME Owned Businesses
- Medtech and Life Sciences
- High Growth Business
- Hospitality
- Visitor Economy
- Retail
Register your interest for any of the Peer Network spaces, by clicking 'Register' below.
 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).
 Effective Change Management Course
Are you working in an SME going through or expecting change?
Nottingham Trent University are delivering a new Effective Change Management course, designed to help senior professionals, managers and leaders within SMEs that are currently going through change, to design, implement and lead change effectively.
Course Delivery
The course is FREE to attend for businesses in the D2N2 area (Broxtowe included) and is split into six 1.5 hour online sessions, that you will be required to attend. Some further self-directed study will also be required.
The course is also accredited as a 20-credit module at postgraduate level, but you do not need to have any prior qualifications to attend.
Date: Starts 13th April 2021 and runs until 4th June 2021
To find out more, including what is covered over the course and to register your interest click 'More info' below.
£20million SME Brexit Support Fund now live
Designed to support SMEs that are new to importing or exporting. The fund can provide up to £2,000 to help with training or professional advice, if your business has up to 500 employees and no more than £100 million annual turnover.
What can businesses use the grant for?
You can use the grant for training on:
- how to complete customs declarations
- how to manage customs processes and use customs software and systems
- specific import and export related aspects including VAT, excise and rules of origin
It can be used to help you get professional advice so your business can meet its customs, excise, import VAT or safety and security declaration requirements.
Who can apply?
Businesses must:
- be established in the UK;
- have been established in the UK for at least 12 months before submitting the application, or currently hold Authorised Economic Operator status;
- not have previously failed to meet its tax or customs obligations;
- have no more than 500 employees;
- have no more than £100 million turnover;
- import or export goods between Great Britain and the EU, or moves goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
 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: 24th March, 15th and 28th April.
Click below to book.
 UK Transition
The Council has created an 'EU Exit' webpage, which will be updated with new guidance and helpful toolkits, as and when they are made available.
Businesses in Broxtowe that:
- Have staff working between the UK and EU
- Employ staff from the EU
- Transfer data between the UK and the EU
- Import and export goods
- Deliver services between the UK and the EU
- Label products and/or package goods
should all review the latest guidance. Click 'EU Exit' below to view the Council's dedicated webpage
New timeline for border control processes on import of goods
The Government has set out a new timetable for introducing import border control processes.
It will now introduce full border control processes on the 1st January 2022, six months later than originally planned.
This will provide businesses with further time to prepare for changes at the border and minimise disruption.
Click 'Announcement' below to read more about what's included in the revised timetable.
 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.
 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
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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