A full range of business support measures have been made available to UK businesses and employees.
Follow the links to see the latest updates from Government, find financial support for your business and click here if you are self employed.
The Government has set up a business support helpline on 0300 456 3565. This is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm.
Visit the Malvern Hills website for the latest Covid business advice. If you are not receiving this newsletter directly, please sign up to our regular email newsletter for the latest updates on business support.
The Government has introduced a new support scheme for businesses with a business rates account that have been forced to close during the national lockdown introduced on 5 January 2021.
If you have already successfully applied for, or received, a grant from the 5 November to 2 December 2020 lockdown then you do not need to apply again. This is because we are attempting to make payments to businesses automatically with the information we already hold. In a small number of cases automatic payments will not be possible because we need additional information.
You are advised to check your bank account regularly to see if payment has been made. If you have not received payment by 28 January 2021 then you will need to apply again by filling in the Coronavirus Business Support Grant Application Form.
The National Lockdown Business Support Grant Scheme 5 January 2021 has two parts to it.
One-off Bonus Grant – Closed Business Lockdown Payment
Businesses forced to close on 5 January 2021 by national lockdown restrictions may qualify for a one-off grant. The amount received will depend on the rateable value of the business property.
- Rateable values of 15,000 and under will receive £4,000
- Rateable values of 15,001 to 50,999 will receive £6,000
- Rateable value of 51,000 and above will receive £9,000
Local Restrictions Support Grant ‘Closed’
As well as the Closed Business Lockdown Payment, businesses forced to close on 5 January 2021 may qualify for a grant that will be paid every 42-days national restrictions are in place. The amount received will depend on the rateable value of the business property.
- Rateable values of 15,000 and under will receive £2,001
- Rateable values of 15,001 to 50,999 will receive £3,000
- Rateable value of 51,000 and above will receive £4,500
The initial payment you receive under this scheme will combine both amounts (so a minimum of £6,001 and maximum of £13,500). After the first 42-day period has passed, if restrictions are still in place, you will only receive the Local Restrictions Support Grant ‘Closed’ payment (between £2,001 and £4,500).
Payments of the above have already started to be made to eligible businesses. The automatic payment will also include an additional sum which represents a pro-rata grant for the five-day period that the district was in Tier 3 restrictions - 31 December 2020 to 4 January 2021.
There are two funding schemes available to businesses either forced to close, or legally allowed to open but severely impacted, by Tier 2 and 3 restrictions in place from midnight on 2 December 2020 and 4 January 2021.
- Businesses forced to close by Tier 2 or 3 restrictions can receive money from the Local Restrictions Grant (Closed) scheme
- Tier 3 payments will be made on a pro-rata basis for the five-day period they were in force (31 December 2020 to 4 January 2021. Before that Worcestershire was in Tier 2)
- Businesses legally open during Tier 2 and 3 restrictions, but severely impacted, will qualify for ‘Open’ support funding if they received grant funding during the National Lockdown in place between 5 November 2020 and midnight on 2 December 2020.
If you have already applied for Tier 2 restrictions support, we are processing these applications now. If you have not already submitted an application you can apply for either scheme by filling in our Coronavirus Business Support Grant Application Form.
An additional support payment, of £1,000, was made available during Christmas 2020 for wet-led pubs - those that were unable to open because they do not serve food (substantial meals) - during the period of Tier 2 and Tier 3 restrictions. Qualifying ratepayers will receive a one-off payment of £1,000 on top of any previous grant support they may also be eligible for.
You cannot apply for this funding if:
- You get more than 50% of your income from food sales.
- You were not trading on 30 November 2020. This was during the national lockdown period so if you were closed, but would have been open without the national restrictions, then you are considered as trading for the purposes of this scheme and can still apply.
- This scheme closes for new applications on 29th January 2021
You may be asked to supply evidence you receive less than 50% of your income from food sales to prove your pub is wet led. To apply for this support funding please email businessrates@southworcestershirerevenues.gov.uk
We are making funds available to support businesses that do not qualify for the main support funding schemes outlined above.
If you do not have a business rates account and you have been forced to close or can legally stay open but your business has been severely affected, they you can apply for this scheme.
You can also apply if you have a business rates account and can legally stay open during national lockdown restrictions, but your business has still been severely affected.
This scheme covers restrictions in place during the following periods.
- National Lockdown from 5 January 2021
- National lockdown in place between 5 November and midnight on 2 December 2020
To help us support as many businesses as possible, the amount of grant awarded will be proportionate to the impact of coronavirus restrictions on the income of a particular business.
The following types of businesses may qualify for an Additional Restrictions Grant:
- Businesses with a rateable value involved in the supply chain to businesses within the retail, hospitality or leisure sectors that have been forced to close by government.
- Businesses without a rateable value involved in the supply chain to businesses within the retail, hospitality or leisure sectors that have been forced to close by government.
- Businesses without a rateable value within the retail, hospitality or leisure sectors that have been forced to close by government.
Applications will be prioritised on the following criteria:
- Businesses who have either been forced to close or whose trading has been severely affected, with a subsequent reduction in income. Eg hospitality and leisure
- Businesses with large, fixed costs who have been unable to offset these either through grants received or through furlough payments.
- Businesses who employ a significant number of employees.
- Businesses that contribute towards the social fabric of their communities, who if they were
Businesses that have already successfully applied for Additional Restrictions Grant funding will receive automatic payment for the January onwards whilst we remain in lockdown and therefore do not need to reapply.
You can apply for an Additional Restrictions Grant here.
The second round of the Culture Recovery Fund looks forward to next spring and early summer when it is expected that cultural organisations will be able to operate with fewer restrictions. Over £300 million of grants will be available, covering the period April-June, to support cultural organisations with the costs they will face as they welcome back visitors. Deadline for applications is 26th January.
Click here to find out more.
In such uncertain times, many businesses have delayed investing in new staff who could help drive their business forward. In turn, this has left Worcestershire graduates facing considerable challenges in finding rewarding opportunities to kick start their careers. The Here2Help Business programme, run by Worcestershire County Council, aims to support eligible SMEs to recruit a local Graduate into a professional role by providing a graduate grant.
The Graduate Development Grant offers businesses access to the skills they need, whilst also providing graduates with high quality career opportunities. The grant provides up to 50% of a Graduate salary for a one-year period, to a maximum of £10,000, which is paid retrospectively on a quarterly basis. More details are available here.
Share the love with us this February by taking part in our social media campaign, #LoveYourHighStreet. This campaign aims to get people thinking about their high streets and those that work in them. It will also remind residents that the best way to reopen the high streets is to follow the rules.
All you need to do to get involved is answer these two questions in approx. 20 words:
- “What do you love about your high street?”
- “What do you love about working in your shop/restaurant/pub/café/salon/hotel?”
This isn’t mandatory but it would be great if you could get a member of your household to take a photo of you making a heart with your hands outside your shop or café etc, to go alongside your quote. Please note, these may be posted on Malvern Hills District Council’s social media pages.
Please email your answers, photos and the name of the business to: sophie.jackson@malvernhills.gov.uk before Sunday 21 February.
Would you like the opportunity to become a Town Centre Representative? We are inviting two traders from each town centre to help shape future campaigns, raise any issues, and voice opinions of their fellow local businesses. To find out more or to register your interest, please let Sophie Jackson know by emailing: sophie.jackson@malvernhills.gov.uk. The deadline to register is Sunday 14 February.
Sourced and delivered locally by Worcester BID, the funding comes in the form of free of charge ‘Peer to Peer’ COVID adaptation training (High Street cohort) which businesses can sign up for today.
This government funded training runs from 25 January once a week over Zoom for 12 weeks. Malvern Hills businesses can sign up for free to the 18 hours of facilitated learning plus free of charge 3.5 hours one-to-one support with the facilitator.
The specialist facilitators that will support attendees include Institute of Place Management and The High Streets Task Force (attracting customers back to the High Street; Covid adaptation and place management survival for the High Street), Heart of Worcestershire College (digital marketing and effective leadership skills), Bishop Fleming (cashflow forecasting and management finance services) and HR Champions (mental health in the workplace and good management and communications).
The training course activity will begin 25 January for completion by the end of March 2021.
To find out more, check eligibility and to sign up click here.
Run through The Hospitality Partnership, in conjunction with Worcestershire Business Central and Worcestershire County Council, there is a free opportunity for 18 hours of peer to peer networking alongside business coaching. This opportunity will allow you to learn from similar businesses about the challenges and successes of the past year and how to plan for growth into the future.
Businesses should have 3-5 employees and a turnover of at least £100,000. You can find out more and check your eligibility here.
Free webinar on Wednesday 3 February 2021 10.00 – 11.15 am.
Worcestershire County Council (WCC) Low Carbon Opportunities Programme is here to help local businesses within Worcestershire and Shropshire benefit from and thrive in this vibrant market. The programme offers detailed and in-depth one-to-one business support from sector experts aimed at getting businesses investment ready, as well as providing capital grant contributions.
On the 3rd of February 2021, WCC will be holding a free-to-attend webinar which aims to help Worcestershire and Shropshire SMEs launch or diversify into this market. We will hear from highly experienced business advisors who are experts in this field, and we will examine how The Low Carbon Opportunities programme can help turn your idea or concept into a successful, profitable business. Click Here to register.
The Worcestershire LEP have some exciting opportunities for new non-executive directors to become a part of the work we do across our various programmes.
The Worcestershire LEP (WLEP) are looking for energetic Board Members who are CEOs, Directors, Entrepreneurs and Industry Academics to join 4 of our boards.
- Worcestershire LEP Board
- Innovation Board
- Employment & Skills Board
- Worcestershire Business Central Growth Hub Board.
The WLEP needs the energy, experience and talent to create and support appointments to these boards to support our vision of creating a “connected, creative, dynamic economy for all. “
Board Directors play active roles in leading different areas of LEP Board work such as finance and audit, skills, risk management, inclusivity and diversity champion, SME champion or, where appropriate, for specific business themes or key growth business sectors.
If you’d like to find out more about joining one of these boards and sending in an application, please complete the short form here.
New government policy now requires drivers to have a negative Covid test before travelling to ports. Costs of the tests will be met by government and businesses are encouraged to go through their local authority for the necessary equipment. BEIS Minister Paul Scully has written a letter to haulier firms outlining the new restrictions and providing guidance. You can read the letter here.
This quarter’s focus will be on ‘Trading beyond Brexit’
This is your chance to highlight the specific needs of SME manufacturers, without the influence of larger companies who may present a different outlook, call for the support you need to accelerate recovery and enable future sector growth.
As 2021 brings us an agreed EU trade deal, and the country continues to fight the continuing COVID-19 pandemic with a third national lockdown, what impact are these current conditions having on SME manufacturing businesses like yours?
Last quarter, 47% of respondents were unable to predict how the end of the EU transition period would affect their COVID-19 recovery plans...how has this changed now that the Brexit deal is done? As an SME manufacturer, do you expect trade to be impacted now Britain has left the EU, and what further clarity and support do you require to help your business adapt accordingly?
Click the link here to take part.
We know that now, more than ever before, people are struggling with their mental health. As an employer there are some simple steps you can take to show commitment and support to your employees. MIND has produced an excellent toolkit for employers available here.
Enterprising Worcestershire is offering new or young businesses a fund towards their choice of business membership. For a limited time, Enterprising Worcestershire can now fund £150 towards your choice of business membership.
This will provide ongoing support and access to a wide range of business services, critical for new or early stage business. Memberships can cover access to a range of services, covering everything from legal and tax support, employment legislation, webinars and masterclasses and networking opportunities. Click here for more information and eligibility.
You can boost your mental – and physical - health by signing up for the Worcestershire Ambassadors ‘Walk the Walk’ 2021 campaign. We are encouraging as many people as possible across Worcestershire to join us in logging their miles as they run, jog, walk or play sport so we can cumulatively reach the moon – 238,900 miles away. The aim is to collectively raise £20,000 to support mental health initiatives in Worcestershire. Many people have already joined in the challenge but if you have not signed up yet there’s still time to get involved.
Click here for more information on how to get involved.
The local Chamber of Commerce has launched a brand-new EU Exit Business Support Hub in partnership with Worcestershire County Council in order to help local firms now the UK has left the EU
The extensive hub offers a range of tools businesses can use to ensure they have planned successfully for any changes.
Businesses can access:
- EU-Exit Advisory – a helpline to discuss concerns, and receive guidance and support from International Trade specialists
- Bespoke Consultancy – for businesses that have specific needs and require tailored support
- Customs Declaration Service – for UK importers and exporters of all sizes from across the UK
- Business Preparation Resources – a host of resources and guidance in order for businesses to prepare
Local companies can also take advantage of a range of fully funded EU-Exit related training courses, delivered on behalf of Worcestershire County Council.
To access the hub to find out more information, and to find out more about our EU-Exit related training, please visit www.hwchamber.co.uk/eu-exit-hub
A new ‘Park That Bike’ scheme for Worcestershire businesses has been launched via www.parkthatbike.info providing free cycle racks.
The Park That Bike initiative provides a mechanism for local businesses to apply for funding to install cycle parking on their premises, to encourage utility cycling. Visit the website to see what is available to businesses in Worcestershire. As the current funding available within the scheme is limited, the intention is that WCC through its Active Travel funding will continue to work with partners to top up available funding over time so that all are able to benefit from this service.
The Worcestershire Business & IP Centre (BIPC) have developed a dedicated programme to support SMEs across the country, all of which can be accessed remotely, wherever you are. Open to all business owners, especially those in the first years of trading, the Reset. Restart programme is here to help you transform, future-proof or grow your business through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
The Worcestershire BIPC is running a series of FREE webinars and one to one sessions with business experts to support local businesses who are adapting to the challenges of Covid. The topics range from business planning through to marketing, finance and wellness.
To book your FREE place go to their Eventbrite page.
The Here2Help Business Programme offers a variety of support in key areas to help your business recover from the effects of COVID-19, including advice sessions and expert consultancy.
Support is available in the following areas:
- Marketing & Digital Communications
- Software, Technology & Security
- Business Planning & Finance
Find out more.
The ED team wants to fully understand the impact of the Coronavirus on specific businesses and the wider economy. This will help us tailor our service to you and feedback to Government to help shape their ongoing response.
If you would like to talk one-to-one with a member of the ED team about your business experience and effects of Covid-19, please email us with your contact details ecodev@malvernhills.gov.uk
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