Self-employed Income Support Scheme Update
Applications for the next round (fourth) of the Self-employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grants are now open.
Claims for the latest SEISS grant must be made on or before the 1st June 2021.
Those eligible for a grant payment through the SEISS, will receive an amount covering the trading period between 1st February 2021 and 30th April 2021.
The fourth SEISS grants are worth 80% of three months average trading profits, capped at £7,500 to be paid in a single instalment.
Example (provided by Gov.uk website)
For example, if your average annual trading profits were £42,000 over the last 4 tax years:
- Start with your average trading profit (£42,000).
- Divide by 12 = £3,500.
- Multiply by 3 = £10,500.
- Work out 80% of £10,500 = £8,400. You’ll receive £7,500 due to the cap.
For more information and to apply, visit our 'Support for Business' webpage.
Restart Grants and Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG) payments
Since the closure of most of the historic COVID-19 grant support schemes on 31st March, the Council has written to businesses highlighting the need to reapply for one of the new grant support schemes. These include:
Progress on payments to businesses
Since the 1st April the Council has received over 900 applications for these grants and is working through them as quickly as possible.
- Over 350 businesses have been paid a total of £2.6m in Restart Grants,
- A further 110 businesses not eligible for Restart Grants have received a total of £15k.
Helping the Council process these grants
At this time, we ask of those awaiting a grant payment or a response to their application to please bear with us during this period, as any correspondence that we respond to will slow down the process of evaluating the applications for everyone and getting the payments out.
Why are payments taking longer than last time?
The Council is required to carry out additional checks and collect more information in this round of grant support, than previously required.
This means that the payments of grants may take longer than previously experienced.
The applications already received are being processed in a chronological order and rest assured, we are working as fast as we can to get these out. We fully understand the importance of these grants to your business.
Footfall returns to Broxtowe in STEP 2
Since reaching STEP 2, a number of businesses and settings are now legally able to serve customers and accept visitors.
Our automated footfall counters in the four town centres have recorded a clear spike in people once again visiting local businesses, which is extremely positive news as the economy begins to recover.
Highlights
On day one (12th April 2021) of STEP 2;
- Beeston Town Centre saw a 159% increase in footfall, versus the previous Monday which was subject to STEP 1 restrictions,
- Eastwood Town Centre saw a 105% increase,
- Kimberley Town Centre an 81% increase,
- Stapleford Town Centre an 147% increase.
During the second week of STEP 2 restrictions, all four town centres continued to see significant increases in daily footfall versus the previous month, where more severe restrictions and businesses closures were still being enforced, highlighting a trend that the return in footfall is recovering further, as customers are becoming more confident making additional trips to our town centres.
To keep track of the progress in footfall recovery as we approach STEP 3, as well as view monthly town centre occupancy figures which are now being published again, please visit our 'Town Centre Performance' page.
Reporting Non-Compliant Businesses
With the re-opening of various businesses and settings from 12th April, there is regrettably the opportunity for some businesses not to comply with the Covid-Secure guidelines set out by Government, which must be followed as part of trading in STEP 2 and are law.
How to report Non-compliant businesses
Please make us aware by emailing - health@broxtowe.gov.uk
If a business is not complying with the law
Businesses in breach of Covid-19 restrictions around trading, will be liable for a fine. Furthermore, ongoing enforcement action taken by the Council against any businesses, will affect the eligibility of discretionary COVID-19 support grants.
What we are doing to ensure businesses are informed
Covid-19 Information Officers and the Public Protection team are working with businesses to ensure they are aware of the latest trading restrictions, offering advice and support to ensure full compliance.
Commercial Property News
 New Office Space Available - Council Offices, Beeston
If your business is downsizing and need a smaller space for your employees, OR if you’re searching for a space to call your own as a start-up business, we have the space for you.
What's available
The Council have available space in their newly refurbished offices in Beeston Town Centre and are looking for new tenants to share the premises.
Who can apply?
We are currently assessing interest and welcome applications from all interested parties, no matter how large or small your company. Accommodation ranges from your own dedicated space to desks in a shared hub, providing a cost effective solution for your office requirements.
More about Beeston
Beeston is a busy town centre with a variety of leisure and retail opportunities. The town has excellent transport links via the A52 and M1 as well as tram and bus links to Nottingham, Derbyshire and beyond.
Further property Information
All accommodation will adhere to Covid-19 regulations and will be safe working spaces.
Price negotiable on space required.
If interested please email Sandra Scott - Commercial Manager, directly at Sandra.scott@broxtowe.gov.uk for further details.
 Stapleford Hub
The Council is also pleased to offer newly refurbished office space To Let, at the former Police Station building in Stapleford Town Centre.
The building was recently refurbished to a high specification and includes:
- GF and FF Office Space
- Individual offices to rent
- B1 use class
Key Features
- Located in Stapleford Town Centre, with dedicated parking available
- Fully serviced
- Kitchen space and facilities and separate Breakout area
- Intercom System and coded access
For more information about availability and pricing, please click 'More Info' below.
Stapleford Post Office Opportunity
The Post Office are seeking an applicant from a successful retailer, to incorporate a Post Office Local into their existing or proposed business in Stapleford.
Closing date for applications is the 28th July 2021. However, advert may close early if sufficient interest is registered. Click 'More Info' below to find out more.
What is a Post Office Local?
Integrating Post Office services into a vibrant and sustainable retail business, so they can be offered over the same opening hours. The exact layout and design will be agreed with you to suit your business.
Reset. Restart
Get your business into shape for post-COVID trading with free webinars from the Nottingham City Libraries' Reset. Restart programme.
1:1 sessions with expert business mentors and a range of webinars are available to help you make the most of your time and money.
Here’s what’s coming up:
- How customer-focused is your marketing? - 22nd April and 17th June,
- Plan Your Post-Lockdown Recovery – 6th May and 15th June,
- Getting your Business Online – 18th May
- Digital Marketing & Social Media - 20th May and 1st July
- From Business Idea to Business Model - 3rd June
- PLUS 1:1 sessions every Wednesday morning
 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.
 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).
 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: 28th April 2021
Click below to book.
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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