 Business Update Bulletin
A newsletter from Manchester City Council's City Centre Growth & Regeneration Team, with support and advice for Manchester businesses.
Contents
- COVID-19 Government restrictions
- City Centre Transport Strategy consultation
- Re-applying for your Pavement Licence
- WATCH | Licensed Premised Zoom - CityCo
- Businesses urged to target exports to support Covid recovery
- The Hut Group to create 500 jobs
- Cyber Awareness Training: Protecting your Business
- Safe Travel - TfGM
- Clean Air GM - Help shape our final Clean Air Plan
- Greater Manchester Minimum Taxi Standards Consultation
- 50 Windows of Creativity
- Lord launches judicial review
- Handy links
COVID-19 Government restrictions
Manchester has been placed into Tier 3 - Very High Alert
We’re waiting for the Government to publish full information, including the financial support package and what this means for Manchester. We will share details with you as soon as possible.
Alongside these measures, rules around the wearing of face coverings are still in effect. You should continue to follow social distancing rules and regularly wash your hands.
Read the full list of restrictions on GOV.UK
Check what restrictions apply in your area on GOV.UK
City Centre Transport Strategy Consultation – 1 week left to have your say
The City Centre Transport Strategy Consultation is now open and runs until 4 November.
Since 2018 we have had many discussions with city centre residents, commuters, businesses and interest groups to learn how they want to travel into and around the centre of Greater Manchester, and how they would shape the next phase of improvements to roads, rail, tram, bus, bike, pedestrian and public spaces.
That’s why the proposed strategy reflects the strongest calls from these discussions, including those for more space for pedestrians and bikes, and cleaner, greener more sustainable travel options.
In this final consultation before we agree our strategy, we want to make sure that our ambitions for city centre travel are right for you. We also ask you to share any ideas we might have missed in our proposals.
Re-applying for your Pavement Licence
There are some small changes to the information you will need to submit with your next Pavement Licence application, which we have set out below.
We appreciate that you may need to update your existing licence with new furniture to operate over the winter period, such as coverings or heaters. There is no variation process and so you will need to apply for a new licence in order to include new furniture.
WATCH | Licensed Premised Zoom - CityCo
Visit CityCo Manchester's Youtube Channel for a replay of Friday's Q&A with Manchester City Council Licensing Officer Fraser Swift on Tier 3 restrictions in place from Friday 23 October 2020 in Manchester. Providing a lot of answers to current Tier 3 FAQs.
Businesses urged to target exports to support Covid recovery
Businesses have been urged to research, assess, and plan for the future development of markets in order to grow exports and recover from the effects of Covid-19 by John Winnard, the managing director of the company behind Uncle Joe's Mint Balls and a Department of International Trade Export Champion. Read More at www.insidermedia.com
The Hut Group to create 500 jobs
Manchester-headquartered ecommerce giant The Hut Group (THG) has outlined plans to create a further 500 jobs as it approaches its peak trading period. To read more visit: www.insidermedia.com
Cyber Awareness Training: Protecting your Business
The Cyber Resilience Centre for GM (CRC) introduce their next webinar, Senior Ethical Hacker at the Cyber Resilience Centre, MJ will be discussing the latest cybercrime trends the North West region is seeing, the Cyber Essentials accreditation, ransomware in the education sector and the main threats businesses have been facing in recent months.
Monday 2 November 12-1pm. To register visit: eventbrite.co.uk
Safe Travel
TfGM and public transport operators have put more measures in place to help you travel safely, including enhanced cleaning, extra services, and passenger information and signage. You are reminded that you must wear a face covering at all times when on public transport, unless you are exempt. If you don’t, you may be unable to travel and you could be fined £100.
For more information, visit tfgm.com/coronavirus.
Clean Air GM - Help shape our final Clean Air Plan
You can give your views and help shape Greater Manchester's Clean Air Plan proposals. A consultation is running until the 3rd December. Get involved and help clean up the air we all breath at cleanairgm.com
Greater Manchester Minimum Taxi Standards Consultation
Taxis and private hire services are a crucial part of our transport network. We want to see taxi and private hire services in Greater Manchester deliver a safer, high-quality experience for everyone, every time, using vehicles that meet high environmental standards.
That’s why Greater Manchester’s 10 local councils, supported by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), have worked to develop a proposed set of common, minimum standards for services licensed in Greater Manchester.
We are now consulting on the proposed standards and want you to have your say at: GMtaxistandards.com
50 Windows of Creativity
A new art trail celebrating Manchester’s rich creative culture will see a huge array of spectacular mosaics, installations, fine art, photography, craft, murals and more pop up in windows, venues, businesses and spaces across the city centre from 26th October to 5th December 2020.
Created by the team behind the award-winning Bee in the City event, the trail, supported by Manchester City Council and event partners Auto Trader and Dandara Living, will raise money for the artists involved and The Lord Mayor of Manchester Charity Appeal Trust – We Love MCR Charity.
Read more at: https://beeinthecitymcr.co.uk/50windows
Lord launches judicial review
Sacha Lord, the GM night-time economy advisor has confirmed he is seeking a judicial review into the decision taken by the Government to move the region from Tier 2 to Tier 3.
Read more at bighospitality.co.uk
Guidance and information about business closures
Government guidance and information about business closures
See available government grants and support schemes including the Self- Employment Income Support scheme
Make your workplace COVID secure
The UK government, in consultation with industry, has produced ‘COVID-19 secure’ guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible. The new guidance covers 14 workplace settings which are allowed to be open, from outdoor environments and construction sites to factories and takeaways. This sets out practical steps for businesses focused on 5 key points, which should be implemented as soon as it is practical:
- Work from home, if you can
- Carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment, in consultation with workers or trade unions
- Maintain 2 metres social distancing, wherever possible
- Where people cannot be 2 metres apart, manage transmission risk
- Reinforcing cleaning processes
Advice for safe workplaces
In order to make a smooth transition back into the workplace, employers are required to put Covid control measures in place.
It's important that employees coming to work feel safe and confident that their employer has taken appropriate steps to protect their health and safety. Our officers are here to help and advise you. To get in touch you can complete our Business compliance query form.
Fill in a form if:
- you run a business in Manchester, and you would like basic advice and guidance to help you operate in line with government requirements.
- you have concerns about businesses following COVID-19 safety requirements.
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
RIDDOR reporting for COVID-19 - HSE advice and guidance for employers
Statutory Sick Pay
NHS Test and Trace will provide evidence that someone’s been told to self-isolate.
Workers in self-isolation can get Statutory Sick Pay if they qualify. As an employer, you may be able to claim back employees’ Statutory Sick Pay.
Find out more on this at the gov.uk
COVID:Recovery – Start protecting your business
The health and a safety of workers returning to their workplace is essential in the lifting of restrictions.
COVID: Recovery helps your business stay compliant and safe for you, your workforce and the public. Control measures still need to be in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as restrictions are eased. Businesses may find this transitional period difficult, uncertain and stressful which is why our recovery programme has been set up.
We want to ensure that residents, workers and visitors are safe and therefore we have set up two tiers of support for businesses.
- We are offering free advice and signposting for businesses as they begin their post lockdown journey. Measures to comply with health and safety duties on reopening workplaces need to be considered at an early stage in the process and we are here to offer advice where needed. We have a free risk assessment template and check list of control measures which can be used and adapted to your requirements.
- On site audits and assessments are also available for more detailed and sector specific enquiries. This service is offered at reduced rates as we help to ease the financial burdens businesses may have endured during lockdown. We are offering a 2 hour assessment for £100 plus VAT to any business starting to plan for a safe and legally compliant return to business.
To contact us please complete our Business compliance query form.
Other support available for businesses
Local support
Brexit guidance
The UK officially left the European Union on 31 January 2020. There is now a transition period until the end of 2020 while the UK and EU negotiate agreements and during this time existing rules on trade, travel, and business will continue.
The government has created a tool that allows you to get a personalised list of actions for you, your family, and your business, on what you need to do before 1 January 2021.
The government has also issued guidance on the following:
The government is hosting free webinars to help you check the new rules and understand the actions to take. View the webinars.
The Business Growth Hub has a dedicated website offering guidance, including:
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce can also give advice, including:
Access to advice and discussion events
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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