How we're working together to help local business survive Covid-19
We all know that businesses, especially local independent ones, have been hit hard by the pandemic, and although many shops have now reopened, our high streets simply aren’t the same. What you might not know is quite how much work the council has done to support businesses during it all, from giving out grants to setting up a hub full of guidance to producing social distancing posters for them to display.
This week’s Friday Feature gives you some insight into what's been happening, as well as the knock-on effect that the impact of the pandemic on businesses is having.
Just a few examples of the incredible work that's happening
Thanks to our collaborative work, we have:
- scrapped business rates for the coming year through our Rate Relief Scheme
- given nearly 4,000 grants ranging between £500 and £25,000 to keep businesses running
- issued over 60 new pavement licences – making it easier for bars and restaurants to accommodate customers
- made over 7,000 visits to businesses to advise them on Covid-19 laws and support them to adapt
- deferred rent payments between 25 March and 23 June 2020
- launched an online directory to help businesses promote their services to residents
- provided a free trial of local cargo-bike delivery companies to businesses who want to reach new customers or switch to more environmentally friendly delivery methods
- produced and distributed a free ‘welcome back’ pack post-lockdown that includes social distancing posters, floor stickers to help manage queuing and one-way systems, and additional guidance to help make sure customers can shop with confidence
- developed an online business support hub that provides up-to-date business guidance, support and advice on financial support, safe operating, employee rights, test and trace, risk assessments, webinars, Government guidance and more
- established a regular business e-bulletin with 3,000 subscribers to date and growing.
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Alongside our work directly with businesses, we have:
- supported over 350 young people since lockdown began with their employment, education and training pathways, with a big focus around exam results time
- put in place enforcement measures to prevent delivery drivers from parking illegally and reduce noise and anti-behaviour – following an increase in online shopping lockdown
- worked throughout the pandemic to keep our streets clean and tidy – even conducting a specialised deep clean when businesses where given the go ahead to reopen
- launched a promotional campaign to encourage residents to ‘shop safe’ and ‘shop local’.
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Huge thanks to...
... teams in Public Protection, Public Realm, Transport Planning, Finance, Legal, Inclusive Economy, Early Years, Culture, Digital Services, Audit and Communications, who have shown a real commitment to our ambition to make Islington a fair place, and have shown they CARE through their collaborative, ambitious, resourceful and empowering work! There was a fantastic contribution to staff who were re-deployed from other services, so thank you for being so flexible, learning quickly, and being so customer friendly – for example, answering hundreds of emails in the Business Support inbox!
 * According to the latest results from the Business Impact of Coronavirus [COVID-19] Survey (BICS).
Our Public Protection team
The Public Protection team have played a key role, working closely with businesses to make sure they can reopen and operate safely through the pandemic.
They've done an enormous amount of engagement work, including making over 900 visits to businesses in just the last few weeks as restrictions have tightened and new laws have come into force. They’ve adopted a red/amber/green (RAG) system to prioritise support (or action where necessary) according to risk, with a small proportion of businesses today in the red category.
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Our Inclusive Economy team
Last week we launched a Shop Local campaign that celebrates our local high streets and local business (especially small independent businesses). If you live in the borough or are traveling into work, keep an eye out for the local businesses featured in our high street campaign.
Caroline Wilson, Head of Inclusive Economic Development, tells us: "A lot of the time, officers are dealing with business owners who were experiencing a high level of uncertainty and in some cases distress. Our interventions across the board relied heavily on strong relationships and networks – which have only been strengthened by the professionalism of all the officers involved."
You’ll also find stories on Islington Life, including how the team has made fantastic progress with our affordable workspace programme, opening a brand new co-operative in Finsbury Park a few weeks ago.
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Our Adult Community Learning (ACL) and iWork services
Nicky Freeling, Head of iWork, which supports residents who are out of work to find a job, apprenticeship, training or education, explains: "One of the reasons local businesses are so important to the community is that they create and sustain more jobs locally and together they are the largest type of employer nationally. The impact of the pandemic on the job market has been devastating, and things are going to get worse once the furlough scheme ends on 31 October."
We are working closer than ever with our partners to provide training and employment opportunities for residents in key growth sectors – social care, construction and the tech sector – with ACL and iWork equipping newly unemployed residents to move between sectors with free employment and skills training and advice.
Our Progress team and new Youth Employment and Skills team
With businesses operating a reduced service and in some cases, having to close, there are fewer entry-level job opportunities for our young residents. The Progress team are are supporting younger residents get the best start in their careers by providing practical advice and guidance about, education training and employment options, while the council’s new YES (Youth Employability and Skills) team are set to launch their programme of support this month – providing targeted support to vulnerable young people aged 18-25 in the borough.
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We hope you enjoyed reading about these examples of how our staff at Islington Council are working towards making Islington a fairer place.
The commitments to challenge inequality are a core part of our 'Be Islington' approach. To be an inclusive place to work, we must be collaborative, ambitious for change, resourceful in our approach, and empower every member of staff to give their best.
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