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Dear business owner,
The Government has announced a plan for Living with Covid-19 with many changes effective from 24 February. Islington businesses have done an amazing amount of work to help keep our community safe and we encourage you to continue to do so. Covid-19 has not gone away and for many this time will be an anxious one.
Please continue to keep yourself, your staff, and your customers safe by following Covid-19 safety practices - including washing hands, wearing face coverings, and getting vaccinated.
Thank you for continuing to do your bit.
Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund
The Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) will provide Business Rates Relief for the financial year 2021/22 to those who have been adversely affected by the pandemic and have been unable to adequately adapt to that impact. Using the records we hold about Islington businesses we have written to those who are eligible to apply. However, if you have not received an email or letter from us and you believe you meet the eligibility criteria, please do get in touch.
Islington Smart e-Cargo Bike Grant Fund
Islington independent businesses can apply for a grant to cover the full cost of hosting an electronically assisted Cargo Bike. The grant includes free use of a bike with your own branding, free servicing and training, a locking system and app that allows your customers and neighbouring businesses to book and hire the bike when not in use.
Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant
The council's Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant is designed to support certain businesses that offer in-person services - where the main service and activity takes place in a fixed rate-paying premises, in the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors.
Applications are open until 11 March 2022.
Apprenticeship Incentive payment
Employers have until 15 May to claim the £3,000 Apprenticeship Incentive payment. To be eligible, any apprentices you want to claim for must be new starters, have started working for you between 1 October and 31 January 2022 and have begun their apprenticeship before 31 March 2022.
Specialist business advice - Covid-19 recovery
The council has teamed up with CENTA Business Services, to deliver immediate tailored support to help businesses recover post pandemic. Key elements include:
- Diagnosing the critical issues which underpin your business performance
- Talking through options for turning your business around
- Explaining the options in detail and the decisions that need to be made
- Drafting a clear action plan with you to help you move forward.
For more information and details on how to access this business advice service, please email Ony Okosa at ookosa@centa.co.uk
Affordable Workspace Programme
We're delighted to be partnering with TownSq to launch new affordable workspaces near Old Street. More than 200 aspiring entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities will get support with their small and micro businesses through three innovative and inclusive new affordable workspaces for the tech and digital sector. Our new affordable workspaces will help to make the most of the huge potential of local talent in Islington.
Lift Off – affordable web and communications support
Outlandish (a co-op tech company based in Finsbury Park) has developed Lift Off as an opportunity for organisations and businesses in Islington to establish themselves online, and boost brand awareness.
The majority of consumers nowadays are online, whether on their mobile devices or laptops, and this has become more evident as a result of the pandemic. This gives smaller firms and groups the opportunity to market their products online and compete fairly with bigger businesses.
For more information:
Property Advice Service
The Property Advice Service is here to help with FREE support and advice to London based micro and small/medium size businesses - covering issues such as signing your first lease or licence, renewing an existing one, rent disputes, considering going to arbitration and eviction. The core support includes:
- A series of free masterclasses on topics such as Business Rates, Lease Negotiations and more
- One-to-one sessions for a selected group of micro or small/medium size businesses with Property Consultants Gerald Eve and/or other legal professionals.
Women Incorporated
LIFT are hosting a virtual event on International Women’s Day, Tuesday 8 March, to support female entrepreneurs from tech and digitally enabled start-ups gain access to unrivalled levels of advice and support from industry professionals.
The Circular Start Up
Impact Hub King’s Cross is seeking applicants who are at the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey and are looking to support them as they launch their circular solutions. The Circular Start Up programme will prioritise applications from members of minority ethnic communities, people without post-secondary education, low-moderate income, under-unemployed and disadvantaged backgrounds.
Successful applicants will receive free business and circular economy expert advice and training, including mentorship, peer learning, workshops, and networks.
Applications are now open until 13 March 2022.
Better Futures+
Better Futures+ is offering a fully funded Net Zero business support programme worth £1,000. They are working with London’s boroughs and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) to support their local businesses to reduce their emissions.
Please get in touch to find out how their support programme can help your businesses, by emailing jane.mossman@westlondon.com or calling 07942 543 408.
If you have any questions, or if you need advice or support, please get in touch with us by emailing businesssupport@islington.gov.uk.
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