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Please find below an overview of the latest business advice and guidance. In today's newsletter you will find news and updates including:
- Vital support for Plymouth pubs and further help for hospitality businesses
- Plymouth to remain in Tier 2 restrictions
- Furlough and loan scheme extension
- Seafish Christmas business support helpline
- Growth Support Programme
- Brexit transition: time is running out
- Virtual events/webinars
If you have any specific concerns or are in need of support, please contact us.
Plymouth pubs forced to close due to the Tier 2 restrictions will soon receive additional funding, as we're paying the Government’s Tier 2 grants directly into eligible pubs’ bank accounts, along with the £1,000 ‘wet pub’ grant.
Tier 2 grants are also available for hospitality businesses that have suffered at least a 30% drop in income & for pubs that make less than 50% of their income from the sale of food. Potentially eligible businesses will be contacted directly by email with details of how to claim.
Businesses will be contacted using details provided when they applied for the Local Restrictions Support Grant or Additional Restrictions Grant. If you haven't applied for this yet, applications are still open via the Council website.
Find out more here
Following the Government's announcement on Thursday 17 December, Plymouth will remain in Tier 2 restrictions.
This means that:
- shops, schools, indoor leisure, entertainment, places of worship and hotels can all open in a covid-secure way.
- mixing households indoors, apart from support bubbles, will not be allowed and the rule of six will apply when meeting outdoors.
- pubs and bars can only open if they are operating as restaurants and alcohol can only be served with a substantial meal. Venues must stop taking orders at 10pm and close by 11pm.
Find out more here
Financial support is available for businesses in Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3:
The furlough scheme has been extended until the end of April 2021 with the government continuing to contribute 80% towards wages – giving businesses and employees across the UK certainty into the New Year, the Chancellor announced this week.
In a move to ensure firms can access the support they need through continuing economic disruption, Rishi Sunak also confirmed he would be extending the government-guaranteed Covid-19 business loan schemes until the end of March.
These changes come ahead of the Budget, which the Chancellor has confirmed will take place on 3 March 2021. This will deliver the next phase of the plan to tackle the virus and protect jobs, so the extensions to the business loan and furlough schemes enable businesses to plan with certainty and access support in the first few months of the New Year ahead of the further update on wider Covid-19 economic support.
Find out more here
There are new rules for businesses and citizens from 1 January 2021.
With just 14 days to go, make sure you are ready. Your business, family, and personal circumstances will be affected. Use the Brexit checker to get a personalised list of actions. You can also sign up for emails to get updates for what you need to do.
Find out more here
Changes for businesses and citizens
You need to act now if you’re:
Get the complete list of what you need to do for you, your business and your family.
The Seafish Brexit guidance for UK seafood businesses sets out the practical actions that UK seafood businesses should take to be ready to trade in 2021. Whether you import, export, process and distribute, catch or farm seafood, you can find guidance for your business on our support hub.
Access guidance for seafood businesses
If you are unable to find the answer to your question in the guidance above, then the regulation team will be available to answer further questions on the end of the Brexit transition period over Christmas and New Year through a pre-bookable service.
Between Monday 21 December 2020 and Monday 4 January 2021, seafood businesses looking for additional advice with specific issues, can book a half hour slot with one of the team. This helpline service replaces the usual contact details for the team during the above period.
Follow the link below to pre-book a time slot which suits you. When making your booking please provide as much information as you can about the issues you are experiencing.
Book your timeslot
If you are a sole trader, micro business or limited company in Devon or Somerset, including Plymouth and Torbay, you can register your interest in receiving either 3 or 12 hours of business advice, support and training with the Growth Support Programme by completing the form on the website link below.
The Growth Support Programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and as such some eligibility criteria apply. You will need to be able to answer ‘Yes’ to the first three questions to register your interest with this programme. Please complete the below form and we will contact you within 5 working days.
If you have any questions regarding the programme and the support on offer, please contact growthsupport@devon.gov.uk
Find out more and apply here
For further information on the latest events, or to upload and promote yours, visit Invest Plymouth's event page.
You can also submit your own events here.
Outset Enterprise Coaching Support Programme
Outset | Multiple dates
Outset Enterprise Coaching delivers a full support programme combining modular business workshops, rich online learning resources and 1:1 support. It's open to all Plymouth residents, and fully funded by Plymouth City Council and the European Regional Development Fund.
Find out more here
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