High Street reopening 15 June, Closing date for Discretionary Grants, Changes to furloughing scheme and more

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Covid-19: Update for businesses

Walthom Forest
business newsletter

In this issue...

Welcome to this week’s business newsletter on the support and guidance available during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This issue features articles on:

  • Reopening the high streets
  • Discretionary Grant Scheme closing date
  • Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme 
  • The Arch Company announces rent holidays 
  • Transport for London guidelines on face coverings
  • London Growth Hub Shared Workspace programme
  • Connecting furloughed professionals with small businesses 
  • Rapid Employment Service 

High streets to reopen as lockdown begins to lift

market social distancing

As of 15 June, many high street shops and outlets will be able to reopen, with social distancing measures in place. The Council has produced its High Street Recovery Action Plan, detailing how we intend to support our high streets and town centres as the economic consequences of Covid-19 become clear. 

The Government has produced some guidance on how to prepare for welcoming customers, which includes limiting numbers in store, providing hand wash or sanitation products, queue management, and thinking about access for elderly and disabled people.

Employers should also display a notice visibly in their shop windows or outside their store to show their employees, customers and other visitors that they have followed this guidance. The downloadable sign can be found here.

Europe’s longest street market in Walthamstow High Street started its phased re-opening on Tuesday 2 June. We are implementing a phased return by reducing the number of pitches to allow for social-distancing measures, to ensure the safety of both traders and customers.

This means that stalls are further apart than usual and some traders won’t be in their usual places. Posters are on display reminding customers to maintain social distancing at all times.

The Mall in Walthamstow will also reopen from 15 June, with strict social distancing measures in place.

Read the Council's High Street Recovery Action Plan here

Read Government guidance on reopening your business here

Closing date for Discretionary Grant applications

pound coins

The deadline for Discretionary Grants applications for Waltham Forest-based small business is 22 June.

There are detailed eligibility criteria provided in the link below and applicants will be required to submit documentary evidence to show that all the criteria are met.

Applicants should read and fully understand the criteria before submitting an application. Applications will be considered on a first-come first-served basis and incomplete or inadequately evidenced applications will be turned down, requiring a new application to be submitted.

Unfortunately not every eligible business who needs one will receive a grant however we have done our best to stretch the relatively small funding pot provided by Government (£2.24m) to meet local need.

Check your eligibility and apply

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – important dates

furlough

From 1 July, employers can bring back to work employees that have previously been furloughed for any amount of time and any shift pattern, while still being able to claim the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grant for their normal hours not worked.

The scheme will close to new entrants from 30 June.

Further guidance on flexible furloughing and how employers should calculate claims will be published on 12 June.

More information here

The Arch Company announces rent holidays and deferrals

the arch co

Building on their approach of the last quarter, The Arch Company, which manages Network Rail arches across Waltham Forest, will continue to support their tenants who have been forced to close as a result of Covid-19.

From 24 June, for the next quarter, small businesses will continue to receive a rent-free period, until they are able to reopen. 

More details here

TFL guidance on face coverings

TfL face coverings

Passengers travelling on the London transport network must wear face coverings from Monday 15 June.

These can be a simple cloth covering the nose and mouth, made at home, or bought from a shop or online.

More details here

London Growth Hub Shared Workspace programme

London Growth Hub

London Growth Hub has launched a ”Shared Workspace Support Programme”, running a series of freeshort and interactive webinars and bespoke one-to-one advice sessions on:

  • Accessing Business Rate Relief and other relief schemes.
  • How to handle future rent negotiations with your landlord(s).
  • How to handle talks with your local authority.
  • Supporting your tenant with grant applications (if applicable).

These are open to tenants and managers of workspaces. 

The next session will be 16 June at 10.45am. Book here or email. 

More dates will be made available soon.

More information on the programme here 

Connecting furloughed professionals with small businesses

the match

Skills exchange Echo and Loughborough University have joined forces to create The Match, which matches furloughed skilled professionals with small businesses who need strategic and practical support.

Sign up to volunteer or benefit here

Employment Support for Residents & Businesses

rapid employment support

The Council’s Rapid Employment Support Service has been set up to support residents affected by Covid-19. It is for those who may have recently lost their jobs, are at risk of being made redundant or are self-employed and struggling.

To date, over 70 residents have engaged with the service, securing employment within the sectors of security, transport, care homes and hospitals. The team continue to support residents with employability, upskilling and mentoring.

The Service has also been supporting over 20 local businesses to help fulfill their recruitment needs, providing opportunities for residents as well as filling vital vacancies ensuring key services remain unaffected despite the pandemic. 

If you are a business requiring support to fill vacancies, please get in touch. We aim to respond within 48 hours.

Please email here

Sign up and Stay Connected

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We will continue to update you as new information is available. We know that this is a fast-moving situation, but we are confident staff will continue to provide support and guidance to local businesses in Waltham Forest.

You can sign up to our email newsletter with up-to-date information about Covid-19 below.

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