Dear business owner,
As you know, the second national lockdown started yesterday and is expected to end on Wednesday 2 December 2020. We, like you, hope that by working together to protect each other from the virus we can stop its spread. Since we last wrote to you the Government has changed some of its guidance so we wanted to provide you with an update.
We know that these closures impact many local businesses. This is why our public protection, community safety and town centre teams are out visiting as many businesses as possible to ensure you have the information and support you need to stay open safely, or adapt your operations to meet the new lockdown rules.
Our business support team are also working to make sure you have the right information and resources to keep yourself, your staff and customers safe as well as provide timely access to any funding you may be entitled to. Please keep checking our business support web pages, which are updated regularly.
Keeping ourselves and the people around us safe is vital. If you, or an employee, have symptoms of coronavirus, stay at home and self-isolate immediately to stop the spread of the virus.
We are encouraging local people, who are eligible, to consider to getting their free NHS flu vaccination as an extra precaution. Please contact your GP for information.
If you have any questions, or if you need advice or support, please get in touch by emailing businesssupport@islington.gov.uk.
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Advice on safe operating
Lockdown rules for businesses
To reduce social contact, the Government has ordered that from Thursday 5 November certain businesses and venues must close or restrict how they provide goods and services.
Businesses which must close
- Non-essential retail, such as clothing and homeware stores, vehicle showrooms (other than for rental), betting shops, tailors, tobacco and vape shops, electronic goods and mobile phone shops, and market stalls selling non-essential goods (the council will waive street trading fees for those stall holders who are unable to trade). These venues can operate click-and-collect (where goods are pre-ordered and collected off the premises) and delivery services, but collection points need to be carefully managed in line with social distancing guidelines. Our environmental health team can advise you about this.
- Hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs; with the exception of providing food and drink for takeaway (before 10pm; and not including alcohol), click-and-collect (which can include alcohol, if you are licensed), drive-through or delivery.
- Hotels, hostels and guest houses
- Indoor and outdoor leisure facilities such as bowling alleys, leisure centres and gyms, and sports facilities
- Entertainment venues such as theatres, cinemas and bowling alleys
- Personal care facilities such as hair, beauty and nail salon, spas and massage parlours.
Businesses and venues which can remain open
Essential retail such as food shops, supermarkets, pharmacies, hardware stores, building merchants and off-licences.
- Petrol Stations, car repair and MOT services, bicycle shops, and taxi and vehicle hire businesses
- Banks, building societies, post offices, loan providers and money transfer businesses
- Funeral directors
- Launderettes and dry cleaners
- Medical and dental services
- Vets and pet shops
- Storage and distribution facilities
- Car parks
Keeping your premises secure
If your premises will be shut during the lockdown, please make sure you secure any doorways, fire escapes etc. that could be used for rough sleeping, as this could become a fire hazard. We are committed to housing all rough sleepers and hotel spaces for rough sleepers in Islington are available.
If you are a business offering delivery services, please have a plan in place to ensure delivery drivers can safely pick up orders whilst adhering to social distancing.
For if you have any questions or need any advice about safety or want to report ASB, please email communitysafety@islington.gov.uk.
Safe operating guidance online
Our package of online information is there to help protect your employees and customers, and includes risk assessments, NHS Test and Trace guidance and social distancing advice. We update this information regularly, so please keep checking.
Financial assistance
Self-isolation support scheme
If your employee’s earnings are affected by staying at home and isolating for 14 days, the Government has set up the Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme. Eligible Islington residents who have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace, been told to self-isolate, and received an eight-character account ID, may be entitled to a one-off payment of £500.
Please encourage your staff to apply if they are affected and are Islington residents, alternatively, they can check their local authority website.
Local Restriction Support Grant
As part of the national lockdown, the Government has announced an additional support package for businesses who are required to close as a result of the national restrictions. We have now begun the process of designing the scheme so please bear with us. The government has indicated support will be based on the following:
- For properties with a rateable value of £15k or under, grants to be £1,334 per month, or £667 per two weeks;
- For properties with a rateable value of between £15k-£51k grants to be £2,000 per month, or £1,000 per two weeks;
- For properties with a rateable value of £51k or over grants to be £3,000 per month, or £1,500 per two weeks.
As well as support for non-rate paying businesses.
We will update you as soon as we have more information. Please also check our business support web pages for updates on this and other business information and funding.
COVID-19 Recovery Grants from the London Business Hub
Applications for the COVID-19 Recovery Grants will reopen shortly. Grant funding is available from the London Growth Hub to help businesses recover from the impact of COVID 19.
Applications for the grant fund will be staggered as below:
- Visitor Economy Fund – opening on 10 November at 10am and closing 11 November at 10am.
- Wider Economy Fund – opening on 17 November at 10am and closing 18 November at 10am.
Furlough scheme extension
On Thursday 5 November, the Government announced that workers across the United Kingdom will benefit from increased support with a five-month extension of the furlough scheme into Spring 2021.
There are currently no employer contribution to wages for hours not worked. Employers will only be asked to cover National Insurance and employer pension contributions for hours not worked. For an average claim, this accounts for just 5% of total employment costs or £70 per employee per month. The CJRS extension will be reviewed in January to examine whether the economic circumstances are improving enough for employers to be asked to increase contributions.
Self-employment support increase
The Government has also announced that the next self-employed income support grant will also increase from 55% to 80% of average profits - up to £7,500.
Look out for further information here.
Arts Council funding
The Arts Council 'Developing your creative practice' fund supports creative practitioners thinking of taking their practice to the next stage to research, have time to create new work, travel, training, develop ideas, network or find mentoring.
Business support
Shop Local campaign
We are asking residents to make a difference in the community by shopping with local independent businesses where they can. If you would like us to promote your business to local residents, please sign up to our Business Directory.
iWork recruitment support
If you have a vacancy to fill the council’s iWork team can help. Our expert team offer a wealth of experience in a range of sectors and will help you find suitable local candidates with the qualities, skills and experience you need.
Encourage your staff to check if they need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme
If you employ people from overseas they may need to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living or working in the UK. Your employees risk not being able to continue living or working in the UK if they do not apply for the scheme.
Tools and skills
Free webinars on developing your business
The British Library is running a series of free webinars on various aspects of business development.
Become a COVID-19 Health Champion!
Measures taken in response to the pandemic are adapting over time and can be quite confusing, and we want to make sure that everyone understands how to keep safe. As a local businesses you are at the heart of the community, and by becoming a COVID-19 Health Champion you could be a reliable source of information that local people can turn to for help and support.
Lastly, thank you for everything you are doing in these difficult circumstances. We’ll continue to keep you updated via the business bulletin, and please do keep checking our business support web pages for updates on grants other business information.
With best wishes,
Asima Shaikh
Executive Member for Inclusive Economy and Jobs
London Borough of Islington
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