 Business Update Bulletin
A newsletter from Manchester City Council's City Centre Growth & Regeneration Team, with support and advice for Manchester businesses.
Foreword
Welcome to the fifth edition of the weekly Business Update Bulletin. This is Manchester City Council’s communication to all businesses in Manchester to inform them of how they can access support during the COVID-19 pandemic, and also how they can help others.
It has been put together by the City Centre Growth & Regeneration team, with contributions from other business facing Council services and partners who are working hard to provide support and advice to businesses across the city.
In this edition you will find information on how we are marking the third anniversary of the Manchester terror attack and details of the top up grant scheme for those businesses who are not eligible for other reliefs/grants. We hope the newsletter is useful and we welcome any feedback or suggestions to: business@manchester.gov.uk
Contents
Manchester attack anniversary
This Friday, 22 May, will mark the third anniversary of the Manchester terror attack, in which 22 people lost their lives and many others were left badly affected.
Owing to coronavirus-related restrictions, people are being encouraged not to gather together to mark the anniversary or leave tributes, but to mark it online or at home.
Prayers, led by Dean of Manchester Rogers Govender, which will include the names of the 22 people who lost their lives being read out, will take place at 9am and 4.30pm on Friday 22 May and be live-streamed at facebook.com/ManchesterCathedral/live.
You can also learn more about the project to catalogue and digitise all the tributes left in St Ann's Square in the aftermath of the attack online via the Manchester Together Archive.
Further details about the plans for a permanent memorial for the 22 May 2017 attack and what is happening on the anniversary itself can be found online.
Business rates and grants
Apply for the coronavirus Future Fund
The Future Fund will provide UK Government loans to UK-based companies ranging from £125,000 to £5 million, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors. The fund will be open for applications from Wednesday 20 May 2020.
These convertible loans may be a suitable option for businesses that typically rely on equity investment and are unable to access other government business support programmes because they are either pre-revenue or pre-profit.
The Future Fund was developed by the UK Government and is being delivered by the British Business Bank.
Larger businesses to benefit from loans of up to £200 million
Government extends maximum loan size available through the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme from £50 million to £200 million.
You can find more information here.
Deansgate partial pedestrianisation
The temporary pedestrianisation of part of Deansgate came into effect this weekend, creating a new shared space for pedestrians and people on bikes between Blackfriars Street and King Street West.
Removable barriers have been installed to prevent traffic from accessing this stretch of Deansgate, with the exception of time windows for loading and essential access by emergency services. The move will aid the city's economic recovery by making it easier for people to socially distance while getting to work or visiting local businesses, as and when restrictions on movement to restrict the spread of coronavirus are eased.
Although the pedestrianisation is temporary, the decision on whether it should be permanent depends on feedback gained through an open conversation with local residents, businesses and others affected by the closure. Comments can be submitted via email to trafficfreedeansgate@manchester.gov.uk
United Kingdom Accreditation Service - guidance for PPE
In recent weeks UKAS has become aware of a rising number of counterfeit certificates relating to PPE, making false claims over holding quality standards. The certificate being supplied to provide confidence may appear to tick all the boxes and to meet the required standards, but what can be done to make sure?
The UKAS web page provides information on simple checks that can be made to validate the certificate, enabling the purchase to be made with confidence.
Start-Up, Step Up Resilient Business programme – Starts Thursday 4 June
Thinking of starting a business? At this difficult time new business start-ups need to learn how to develop a resilient and agile business model.
It is now more important than ever for new businesses to have the ability to adapt to new markets and ways of working, as well as being ready to do business post lockdown. This free programme of four online interactive workshops will focus on key areas of a resilient business model.
To apply to take part in this free programme please email: businessinfo@manchester.gov.uk and for more information, visit askaboutbusiness.org/startupstepup
Please note that places are limited and applicants will be expected to participate in all four sessions
Getting Through and Getting On: A Guide for Small Businesses from MMU
Manchester Metropolitan University have created a guide to small businesses, helping you to prioritise tasks, seek new opportunities and navigate your business through challenging times.
To help you focus on the tasks you can do for your business right now, they will be sharing a short video each week as they cover mindset and technical skills.It’s an opportunity for you to access their team’s knowledge from afar, and work on some of the practical tasks typically explored in their face-to-face workshops.
Visit https://bit.ly/2WXIuA6 for more information
Working safely during Coronavirus
Moving your business from physical to digital
Government finance, support and guidance
The Coronavirus Business Support Hub brings together key information for businesses including:
- Funding and support including protection against evictions and support from business organisations and trade associations.
- Information for self-employed people and sole traders including: driving hours regulations; advice when working in people’s homes and advice on negotiating mortgage holidays.
- Your responsibilities as an employer covering topics such as: keeping your staff safe; guidance on home working; sick pay and what to do when staff need time off to look after dependents.
- Managing your business during coronavirus including sector specific information on cleaning workplaces and relaxed business regulations
- Information about businesses that must close and safe working guidance for those that can stay open.
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Great offer from Hewlett Packard
Hewlett Packard have offered to support local businesses to set up remote locations, using technology for remote working, access to education assets to upskill staff and help for businesses to manage cash whilst remote working. If you are a business who could benefit from this support, please contact Dave Keigher (david.keigher@hpe.com).
Cyber Resilience Centre webinar - 28 May
Learn more about online security issues and how to protect your place of work with Greater Manchester Police and Green CDL.
Online crime continues to evolve with devastating financial consequences, but what does this mean for businesses? How can you keep your place of work safe from cybercriminals and what is at stake?
Join the Cyber Resilience Centre at 2pm on the 28th May as they discuss the latest cybercrime trends, what businesses can do to prevent attacks and what laws and methods are in place to tackle this growing problem. To register for your freeplace visit: CyberCrime and the Law - Useful Advice for Businesses
Useful Links
Can you help?
Follow the Council on Twitter
Do you know about the Council's Twitter accounts?
Alongside the Council's main account (@mancitycouncil), we have a number of area-based accounts (such as @mcccitycentre) and team specific accounts (such as @mccworkskills).
Give them a follow!
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