Small Business and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants Update

As of last night more than £14.35 million in grant money has been given to businesses across the Malvern Hills District to support them through the coronavirus outbreak.

Grants of either £10,000 or £25,000 have been sent to almost 1300 eligible businesses across the District in the past month.

However we are still urging eligible businesses affected by the pandemic, if they haven’t already, to register online here so grants can be paid quickly.

A range of business support measures have been made available to UK businesses and employees.  To see the latest updates on Government support, visit their dedicated Coronavirus Business Support Hub.

Visit the Malvern Hills website here to sign up for the latest email alerts for business during the Covid-19 pandemic.

NEW – Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan Scheme

The Government is launching its coronavirus Bounce Back Loan scheme on 4th May 2020. This scheme will help small and medium-sized businesses borrow between £2,000 and £50,000. The Government will guarantee 100% of the loan and there won’t be any fees or interest to pay for the first 12 months. Loan terms will be up to six years. No repayments will be due during the first 12 months. The Government will work with lenders to agree a low rate of interest for the remaining period of the loan. Find more information here Apply for a coronavirus Bounce Back Loan.

Get Ready To Re-open - guidance on social distancing  for non-essential retailers 

It is not clear when the non-food retail sector will re-open for business and the final decision on this will be made by Government and the public health experts. However, we need to be ready, and as we start to prepare for the re-opening of stores, it is likely that some virus control restrictions will continue to be necessary to limit transmission. The British Retail Consortium have released guidance for retailers that will help to protect customers and staff. Click here to read more

Business Support Finder

Coronavirus (COVID-19) support is available to employers and the self-employed. You may be eligible for loans, tax relief and cash grants.

To help you find out what may be available to you, use the Government based business support finder. Search here now

Chamber Launches Virtual Business Support Platform

Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce have launched a virtual business support platform. For more information visit their Coronavirus Support Hub for all the latest news, guidance and support available.

Bed and Breakfast Petition

Many Bed and Breakfast's are currently not eligible to access a Small Business Grant in relation to Covid-19 business support from national government due to paying Council Tax instead of Business Rates.

We've been asked to share the link to the Change.org petition to help lobby for an amendment to allow Bed and Breakfast's to access grant support.  Please click here to sign the petition.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Fraud and Cyber Crime

Advice and guidance on how to protect yourself and your business from fraud and cyber crime has been released by the Home Office. The guidance explains simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your business against fraud and cyber crime and where to get help. Click here to find out more information.

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Guidance On Insurance

The FCA has set up the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) - an independent body to provide arbitration for insurance claims of smaller businesses (with turnover of less than £6.5 million and fewer than 50 employees). The decision of the FOS is binding on insurers up to £350,000. 

To take your complaint directly to the FOS, please contact:

The Financial Ombudsman Service Exchange Tower London E14 9SR Telephone: 0300 123 9123 Email:complaint.info@financial-ombudsman.org.uk financial-ombudsman.org.uk

Social Media With Esther from Online Media Works

Now is the perfect time to brush up on your social media skills.  Did you know Esther from Online Media Works has some free online toolkits on her website? Click here to access them.

We hope to host some online marketing workshops later in the year with Esther. You maybe new to the world of social media and want to know how to get started, or you may want to learn more about developing a digital marketing plan; a particular social media channel; learn about Search Engine Optimisation and how to improve your websites' search engine ranking, get started with email marketing or get up to speed with GDPR and Data Protection.  

If you would be interested in learning anything in particular in relation to online marketing, please feed your ideas to victoria.carman@malvernhills.gov.uk.

Heritage Festival 2020

The Heritage Open Days Programme Manager is currently planning for the 2020 festival to run across 11-20 September. We will monitor whether the festival can go ahead, but it would be great if we could collectively put together a programme of heritage activities for The Malverns to include heritage attractions, churches, parks, the countryside, town centres etc. 

The theme for 2020 is 'Hidden Nature'. Put on your wellies, grab your coat and step into the outdoors. This year the focus is the natural world – and we’re asking you to join with us in celebrating our extraordinary natural heritage.

Please click here to find out more about the Heritage Open Days Festival and how you can take part to be involved in the national Heritage Open Festival marketing campaign.  Please note you do not have to cover the whole time period, it could be for just a day.  Please find out how to submit your event here.

If you would like to feedback any comments or ideas, please email victoria.carman@malvernhills.gov.uk.

Accessibility Guide For Tourism Establishments

Previously called an Accessibility Statement, this guide allows you to communicate your facilities and services to disabled people and other customers who want specific accessibility information, such as older travellers and families with young children.  

If you do not already have an Accessibility Statement displayed on your website, please watch this video https://youtu.be/4TTmpo6x-Zc which explains the importance of an Accessibility Guide for you and your customers.

Please click here to download Accessibility Guide examples.