Business Grant Funds programme closure £20,040,000 grants have been made to 1,785 businesses. These grants have been vital to our local economy - helping ensure the survival of shops, cafes, hotels, restaurants and many other businesses. We are in the final stages of this programme. The vast majority of eligible businesses have now claimed grant funding. If you were registered with business rates on or before the 11 March and in receipt of small business rates relief and have not received a grant please contact ecodev@n-kesteven.gov.uk with your business name, premises address and business rates account number and we can determine eligibility. The cut-off date for applications is 5pm on Monday 24 August.

'Jump-start' for UK's leading creative industries

In a major move to jump start the country’s cultural and creative sectors following lockdown, the Culture Secretary has announced the launch of a Government-backed scheme worth half a billion pounds for domestic film and TV productions struggling to get coronavirus-related insurance.

• Further detail also released on how £880 million of the government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund will support cultural, arts and heritage organisations
• British Film Institute, Arts Council England, Historic England and National Lottery Heritage Fund publish guidance and criteria for applicants

PM kickstarts £2bn cycling and walking revolution

Prime Minister Boris Johnson launches ambitious plans to boost cycling and walking.

• Vision commits to thousands of miles of new protected bike lanes, cycle training for any child or adult, and first ever zero-emission transport city
• Launch comes alongside the initial release of £50 bike repair vouchers to encourage more people to enjoy the benefits of active travel

£20 million in new grants to boost recovery of small businesses

Thousands of smaller businesses in England are set to benefit from £20 million of new government funding to help them recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government announced yesterday (30 July 2020).

• Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government announces £20 million new funding to help businesses across England get back on track.
• Small and medium sized businesses in England can access grants between £1,000 - £5,000 for new equipment and technology and specialist advice
• Minister confirms new support while visiting businesses and local leaders across Cornwall

More businesses set to benefit from government loan scheme

Changes to state aid rules as a result of UK Government and industry lobbying mean that more small businesses can now benefit from loans of up to £5 million under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), it was announced yesterday (30th July 2020).

Previously businesses which were classed as ‘undertakings in difficulty’ were unable to access CBILS because of EU rules. Now businesses in this category and those with fewer than 50 employees and a turnover of less than £9 million can apply to CBILS.

• Government expects lenders to make changes in approvals processes
• Over 57,000 businesses have benefitted from £12.6 billion of support through CBILS to date

Further details here: https://bit.ly/3faa5oM

Applications open for £50 million funding to boost UK customs intermediaries

HMRC is encouraging customs intermediaries and traders who make their own declarations to take advantage of the funding now.

From Wednesday (29 July 2020), customs intermediaries can apply for £50 million of new funding, first announced in June 2020, to increase their capacity to make declarations ahead of 2021. Further details can be found here.

Support for business from outside government

Public bodies, organisations and charities have produced additional resources that may be useful to employers and employees. To access the resources please see here.

Penalties for not telling HMRC about Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grant overpayments

If you have received a grant but were not eligible or you have been overpaid, find out what penalties you may have to pay if you do not tell HMRC. Find out more about when you may have to pay a penalty and other information, including:

• How HMRC decides how much the penalty will be
• When you may have to pay a penalty
• How to appeal against a penalty

Further details here: https://bit.ly/3gaAIey

Government to cut red tape for farmers as they plan for 2021

Farmers in England are set to benefit from a reduced administrative burden next year, as the government plans to end the need to comply with the EU-delivered so-called greening requirements and begin the move towards new Environmental Land Management scheme, which will deliver greater benefits for the environment.

Rural funding for businesses available now

Funding is available for businesses to purchase equipment in rural areas, but you need to act quickly. LEADER funding is available in four parts of Lincolnshire - the Coastal Action Zone, Lindsey Action Zone, Kesteven's and Wash Fens.

Businesses, farmers, foresters and those involved in tourism, heritage and community initiatives can apply for LEADER funding for projects that will create jobs or growth in the local rural economy. For more information please see here.

Registrations for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme are open.

Restaurants and other establishments serving food for on-premises consumption can now sign up to a new government initiative aimed at protecting jobs in the hospitality industry and encouraging people to safely return to dining out.

Restaurants, bars, cafes and other establishments who use the scheme will offer a 50% reduction, up to a maximum of £10 per person, to all diners who eat and/or drink-in on Monday –Wednesday throughout August.

There will be a dedicated page on our BusinessNK website to list all participating restaurants in North Kesteven. If you are registered for the scheme and wish to publicise your establishment please send your details to ecodev@n-kesteven.gov.uk

Are you doing everything you can to welcome back customers in a covid-secure way?

If you need to, are you complying with the requirements to take every customers’ details for Test & Trace. It’s a legal requirement and it makes good business sense – as a safe customer is a happy customer and happy customers come back.

If you don’t, you’re breaking the law, face the threat of enforcement and prosecution and are putting your business at risk.

With more potential returning customers looking to take advantage of the Eat Out to Help Out discounts – you’ve got a lot to gain by getting it right – and a lot to lose if you don’t.

Free Support for North Kesteven Businesses

NKDC offers the service of a Business Support Adviser, Phil Means. Phil can assist businesses and provide bespoke advice and support.

If you are in business and feel you could benefit from free business advice please contact him.

Either call Phil on 07920 472671 or email phil_means@n-kesteven.gov.uk

Webinars for the week ahead

03/08/2020 14:00-15:00 A Helping Hand: Navigating the business & legal landscape during & post COVID19

05/08/2020 09:30-10:30 BT Skills for Tomorrow: Collaborative Tools to Boost Productivity

05/08/2020 10:45-12:00 BT Skills for Tomorrow: Connecting with Customers Online

05/08/2020 14:00-15:00 Protect your Business: Staying Cyber-Secure as the UK reopens

06/08/202014:00-15:00 Captivating a new generations heart & mind with experiential retail