 Business Update Bulletin
A newsletter from Manchester City Council's City Centre Growth & Regeneration Team, with support and advice for Manchester businesses.
Contents
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Welcome Back Manchester
- Manchester Business Survey
- Manchester Digital Security Innovation Hub seeks operator
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Business events given green light
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Theatres and music venues can welcome back audiences
- Travelling safely around the city
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Local Authorities given local lockdown priorities
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Corona match funding for charities
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Businesses allowed to offer outdoor options
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Planning changes
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Register Your Establishment for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
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The UK Government’s new COVID-19 recovery strategy
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Pilots announced for return of spectators to elite sports events
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Brexit - get ready for new rules from January 2021
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Virtual Event: How To Be A Disability Confident Employer
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Hospitality industry Unites Behind 'No More No-Shows' Plea
- Handy links
Welcome Back
In response to lockdown restrictions being eased and businesses reopening we have put things in place to welcome back visitors to our great city.
Manchester Business Survey
We need your views to help us get Manchester back on the road to recovery.
Manchester City Council has commissioned Ipsos MORI, an independent market research organisation, to undertake a survey of businesses from across the city. We want you to help us understand how we can get the city up and moving as quickly as possible.
We appreciate the incredible pressure businesses are currently under, but if you can spare 15 minutes to tell us what you think, then we can use this information to speed up the recovery of our city. Visit ipsos.uk/ManchesterBusinessSurvey to take part.
Ipsos MORI work strictly within the Market Research Society Code of Conduct, your individual views will collected in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with the Council. If you have any questions about the survey, email the Ipsos MORI team at UK-Manchester-BusinessSurvey@Ipsos-MORI.com or call them on 0800 0149466.
Manchester Digital Security Innovation Hub seeks operator
An operator is being sought to run a new cybersecurity hub which will put Manchester in the forefront of the response to digital threats.
The Manchester Digital Security Innovation Hub will be based in Heron House in the heart of the city - alongside GCHQ - and be able to draw on that world-class expertise, as well as that of the city's universities.
For more details about the tender process and requirements visit procurement portal The Chest at www.the-chest.org.uk
Applications close at 5pm on 28th September It is anticipated that the digital security innovation hub will be up and running in spring 2021.
Business events given green light
From 1 October, business events and conferences will be able to go ahead. Pilots will be held in the meantime to ascertain how the events will be best held in line with distancing rules. You can read more about this on GOV.UK.
Theatres and music venues can welcome back audiences
From 1 August, indoor performances will be able to take place, as long as adequate distancing and other measures are in place. Pilots are also being staged to test the guidance ahead of August. Read more.
Travelling safely around the city
As lockdown restrictions continue to be eased, it is likely that our public transport networks across the city will become busier.
To make our journeys to and from work as safe as possible, TfGM are continuing to remind us to cycle or walk wherever possible, and to consider other options before using public transport. Visit TfGM's travel guidance and advice pages for more information.
Local Authorities given local lockdown priorities
Councils can now enact powers to shut down businesses, events and open spaces if their area is experiencing a rise in cases. Read more about this at GOV.UK.
Corona match funding for charities
From 18 July to 31 August, funds raised through selected coronavirus charity campaigns will be matched pound-for-pound through the new ‘Community Match Challenge’.
Read more.
Businesses allowed to offer outdoor options
An amendment to the Business & Planning Bill will allow premises to separate smoking and non-smoking areas in their outside space. You can read more on GOV.UK.
Planning changes
From September, full planning applications will not be required to demolish and rebuild unused buildings as homes and commercial and retail properties can be repurposed. Homeowners will be able to build an additional two storeys on their properties. Read more.
Register Your Establishment for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
You can use the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme to offer a discount to diners and encourage them to eat at your restaurant. You can use the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
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all day, every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 to 31 August 2020
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to offer a 50% discount, up to a maximum of £10 per person, to diners for food or non-alcoholic drinks to eat or drink in
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to claim the money back from the government
Register here.
The next chapter in our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy
Government has released its updated COVID-19 recovery strategy, reiterating the policies announced by the Prime Minister. The strategy can be read here.
Pilots announced for return of spectators to elite sports events
A small number of sporting events will be used to pilot the safe return of spectators through late July and early August – with a view to reopen competition venues with social distancing measures in place from October 2020.
Events include two men’s county cricket friendly matches, the World Snooker Championship at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre from 31 July, and the Glorious Goodwood horse racing festival on 1 August.
More information can be read here.
Brexit - get ready for new rules from January 2021.
The UK has left the EU, and the transition period after Brexit comes to an end this year. Take action now:
- Find the latest Government information and guidance
- Get a personalised list of actions for you, your family, and your business.
- Sign up for emails to get updates when things change.
https://www.gov.uk/transition
Virtual Event: How To Be A Disability Confident Employer
Irwin Mitchell in partnership with The Growth Company and InWorkGM, host a free webinar discussing how to develop your knowledge and understanding of challenges faced by individuals with disability, more information on inclusive practice and how to become a disability confident employer.
Register here.
Hospitality industry Unites Behind 'No More No-Shows' Plea
The hospitality industry has united in a call for 'no more no-shows', after customers failing to turn up for bookings blighted its opening weeks and was described as a "gross act of negligence on the part of the customer".
Plans will help premises reassure all customers that they are open for businesses, read more in thecaterer.com
Advice for businesses re-opening
Working safely during Coronavirus
Business rates and grants
Government finance, support and guidance
Advice for food businesses
Local support
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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