Business COVID-19 Update - 1st April 2021

View as a webpage

1st April 2021

Business COVID-19 Updates


One-off Restart Grants launched today

Yesterday saw applications officially close to the vast majority of Covid-19 Business Grant schemes, which were designed to support businesses up to 31st March 2021.

If you applied before 31st March 2021 and your business was found eligible for support under any of the now retired schemes; payments will be made on or before 30th April 2021, using the account details provided on the application form.

Financial support from 1st April onwards

There are still a number of businesses which remain closed until we enter STEP 2 of the Goverment's Covid Recovery Roadmap. These businesses will remain closed until at least 12th April.

To support those businesses, there are currently three grant schemes administered by the Council which are now open to applications, outlined below.

  1. Restart Grant - Providing one-off payments of up to £6,000 for non-essential retail premises and up to £18,000 for hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gyms; which were legally required to close as of 1st April 2021.
  2. Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG) - Will involve top-up amount of money to the current existing Discretionary Additional Restrictions Grant scheme.  It will support businesses that do not have a business rates account. Please note that businesses will not be eligible to receive support under the ARG scheme, if they are eligible for a Restart Grant (see above.

  3. National Restrictions Grant, Feb to March 2021 - Remaining Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) payments to eligible businesses for the period from 16th February to 31st March 2021. This scheme will officially close to applications on 31st May 2021. Final payments under this scheme will be paid to those eligible by 30th June 2021.

Other Financial support available

  • Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (Furlough) - extended until September 2021

  • Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) - launching late April

  • Recovery Loan Scheme - launching 6th April 

How to access financial support as a business

If you believe that your business is eligible for one of the above grants, then you will now be required to re-apply by selecting the applicable application form.

Further information and all application forms for the above schemes are now available via our recently updated Support For Business webpage.

Support For Business


Step2

Preparing to re-open at STEP 2

The roadmap out of lockdown has begun and we are currently at STEP 1 of the Government's four-step Covid Recovery Roadmap. However, providing all the Government's tests are met, a further number of businesses and venues will be permitted to re-open on reaching STEP 2.

This will not occur before Monday 12th April 2021.

Some businesses may choose to use the Easter period to begin preparing their premises for re-opening. They are strongly advised to take time to review the latest Government guidance, to ensure they can re-open and trade Covid-Securely going forward.

Covid-Secure guidance provides setting specific detail of the legal requirements for businesses to trade during the pandemic, which must be followed.

Visit our Open For Business page for links to sector specific information.

Summary of changes for businesses at STEP 2

The main changes that will affect businesses and venues on entering STEP 2 include:

  • All non-essential retail, personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons will be permitted to re-open Covid-Securely;
  • Hospitality venues will be allowed to serve people outdoors and there will be no need for customers to order a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks and no curfew, although customers must order, eat and drink while seated (‘table service’);
  • Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms will also reopen (but only for use by people on their own or in household groups);
  • Most outdoor attractions and settings including zoos, theme parks, and drive-in cinemas will be permitted to re-open Covid-Securely;
  • Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households can also reopen.

Other things to consider

Track and Trace returns - It will still be law for establishments to collect details of customers and visitors on their premises, regardless of them being indoor or outdoor venues or mobile settings.

Community Testing Facilities are available for businesses to access - Businesses are encouraged to promote regular testing to their staff members, which will help identify asymptomatic cases and keep their workforce and customers safe.

Open For Business


Hands.Face.Space.Fresh Air3

Hands. Face. Space. Fresh Air

The ‘Hands. Face. Space. Fresh Air’ campaign urges the public to adopt simple health behaviours and work together to keep their distance and control the spread of Covid-19. 

It outlines to the public, the positive impact of fresh air on reducing the risk of transmission and reminds people to ‘take this next step safely’ as we gradually emerge from lockdown. 

Research shows the risk of infection is significantly lower in fresh air than indoors.

You may notice information being shared about the campaign on TV, radio, press, digital, out of home advertising and social media from 29th March onwards.

Press Release



Other News and Updates



Hs2 Jobs Board Video

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

HS2 Job Board


Peer Networks d2n2

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.

Register


Skills Access Hub

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).


Change Management Course

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.

 

More info


Digital Upscaler 2

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.

Upscaler Sessions


transition new

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

EU Exit


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.

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

Business Events


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.