East Devon business February newsletter

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Coronavirus business masthead

Round 2 of Additional Restrictions Grant

For the period 5.1.21-15.2.21, round 2 of the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG2) is for businesses with fixed costs from any sector which have been severely affected by the latest lockdown. It is not for those businesses which are able to claim the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) Addendum.

ARG2 is for:

  • Businesses which do not pay business rates must have been legally required to close between the 5th January and 15th February 2021

or

  • Any businesses not legally required to close which can demonstrate a 30% drop in turnover and can prove fixed costs of at least £250 per month.

Applications for ARG2 has been streamlined via eastdevon.gov.uk/arg. Businesses which previously received an ARG1 payment for national restrictions from 5.11.20-2.12.20 automatically receive an access code to complete the short form. 

business-grants


Next steps

roadmap

The Prime Minister has outlined the roadmap out of the current lockdown. Providing strict conditions are being met, shops, hairdressers, gyms and outdoor hospitality will reopen on 12 April. You can read the details.  The 3rd March Budget will outline the next stage in the Government’s Plan for Jobs including further detail on economic support to protect jobs and livelihoods across the UK. Please be patient while we wait for Government guidance about further support for business, including any support covering the period from 15th February.

Please do not contact us, to allow us to process current grants as quickly as possible.  As soon as we receive further guidance from Government, we will be able to advise on next steps.  If you have any queries, please visit eastdevon.gov.uk/business-grants where you will be able to find further information, read frequently asked questions and make an application if you are eligible. 

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stay local shop safe

Stay local shop safe

Have you joined our campaign to encourage residents to #staylocalshopsafe? We are showcasing how local businesses are responding to the unprecedented challenges of Covid-19 pandemic.  If you have a story to tell about how you are responding to Covid-19 and you would like to feature in the campaign, please get in touch!  Find us on twitter @EastDevonBiz and facebook @EastDevonBusiness

#staylocalshopsafe

stay local shop safe crusty cob

Stay local shop safe is a campaign funded by the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund - supported by the 2014 to 2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

ERDF and HMG logos

Devon funding news

You can stay up-to-date with all the latest support for businesses by subscribing to Devon funding news. Latest updates:

SME Brexit support fund - Grants to support small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) adjust to new customs, rules of origin, and VAT rules when trading with the EU read more

Energy Entrepreneurs Fund - Capital grants of up to £1m to support small and medium-sized enterprises, other businesses and research organisations to develop low carbon ideas of the future read more;

Seafood disruption support scheme - grants for small or medium-sized businesses that have experienced a financial loss as a result of challenges in exporting fresh or live fish and/or shellfish to the EU during January 2021 read more

Kickstart scheme: work placements for young people - Funding for employers to create job placements for 16-24 year olds on Universal Credit. The scheme has been revised to allow employers offering fewer than 30 placements to apply direct or through a Kickstart Gateway read more

Natural environment investment readiness fund - Grants to stimulate private investment in the natural environment by setting up mechanisms to generate revenue read more


East Devon 'Adapt & Thrive' Support

adapt and thrive

For those located in East Devon, Business Information Point are putting on some new webinars for both existing businesses and anyone starting a business for the first time. This is fully funded as part of East Devon District Council's Adapt & Thrive Programme so there is no cost to attend. If you are interested in starting your own business this two part workshop series will help you turn your business idea into reality as you are taken through the fundamentals of starting your first business and how to develop an online presence. The sessions are run by highly experienced business advisors who have a wealth of knowledge across a huge variety of business stages and sectors. They know exactly what it takes to plan and launch a successful and sustainable business. Session One: Starting Your First Business 3 March, 3pm to 5pm; Session Two: Taking Your Business Online 4 March, 3pm to 5pm

Read more and register


Growth Support Programme Webinars

The Growth Support Programme will finish 31 March 2021. There are 12 hours of free support available (which includes the webinars) for businesses across Devon.  These sessions are completely free to attend as well as additional one-to-one advice with a business advisor.

Upcoming webinars:

Business Planning Essentials This webinar will take you through the business planning process from start to finish. Guided by an experienced advisor, it will give you an opportunity to step back from the day-to-day and reassess your business strategy: 2 March 2021, 9.30am to 12.30pm - book your place

Financial Planning & Funding Take a fresh look at how you manage your business finances in a simple step-by-step process. We will look at ways to plan for future challenges so that you can develop a resilient and successful business:  9 March 2021, 9.30am to 12.30pm - book your place

Marketing Made Easy This interactive workshop will take you through a simple, step-by-step process to jump start your marketing strategy and give you the tools to attract more customers. We will also look at ways to reassess your marketing strategies in light of the pandemic and give you the tools to quickly adapt as needed:11 March 2021, 9.30am to 12.30pm - book your place

stay local shop safe