Grants of up to £25,000 are available but you must apply; New Government plans to revive the economy; Doing Construction Business in Waltham Forest; Hospitality sector reopens 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 the following articles:

  • Grants of up to £25,000 are available but you must apply
  • New government plans to revive the economy
  • Furlough scheme during local lockdowns
  • Doing Construction Business in Waltham Forest
  • Manufacturing Growth Programme extended
  • Hospitality sector reopens
  • Business resumes as lockdown gradually eases
  • Fast Foodie
  • London Growth Hub webinars
  • Thrive LDN webinars on mental health
  • Leyton makers needed

Grants of up to £25,000 are available but you must apply

Chingford Leisure Centre Renovations

Discretionary Grant support certain small businesses that have not been eligible for previous grants. There are seven categories of grants available:

  1. Larger hospitality and leisure businesses; 
  2. Businesses using shared workspaces; 
  3. Council licensed market traders;
  4. Charities and Community Interest Companies
  5. Suppliers to the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors;  
  6. Community cafes in borough parks;
  7. Bed and breakfasts paying council tax. 

Applicants must have a commercial premises; suffered a loss of income due to Covid-19; have been trading on 11 March; and be classified as a small/micro business. There are also specific criteria given to each grant category.

Full details

New Government plans to revive the economy

pound coins

Yesterday, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced new measures to support the economy.  It includes plans to protect jobs, help younger workers and encourage spending with measures such as a VAT cut for leisure activities and a restaurant voucher scheme.

  • A £1000 bonus 'Job retention bonus' to encourage firms to retain furloughed staff
  • Six-month VAT cut for restaurants, hotels and attractions
  • Discount on restaurant meals in August
  • Kickstart scheme for pay for six month work placements for 16-24 year olds on Universal Credit, including a grant to businesses who take on trainees and apprentices

Read more

Furlough scheme during local lockdowns

furlough

Retailers that have to shut their doors under the local lockdowns will be able to re-furlough their staff if they have used the scheme before, the government has confirmed.

More details here

Doing Construction Business in Waltham Forest

Doing Construction Business

On 26 June, Councillor Simon Miller, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth & Housing and Jonathan Martin, Director of Inward Investment hosted a webinar to 80+ participants on opportunities within the construction sector and how to navigate the tender process in Waltham Forest as developments pick up pace again.  

The Council’s economic recovery action plan was highlighted; Leading construction companies Swan, Willmott Dixon and Mitre spoke about their experiences of working and bidding for work in the borough; Building Legacies discussed the supply chain; Black Professionals in Construction Network spoke about opportunities for the BAME community. LBWF Procurement managers provided information on how to navigate the council’s procurement system.

The event was well received, and more will be held this year.

Visit the Invest Waltham Forest website

Manufacturing Growth Programme extended

Manufacturing Growth Programme

The Manufacturing Growth Programme, funded through the European Regional Development Fund, has been extended in England until December 2022.

Under the extension, the programme will provide expert advice and grants to 2,800 small and medium-sized businesses to help them recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and address barriers to growth.

More information

Hospitality sector reopens

The Northcote, social distancing

The Council is pleased to report that only 46 of 228 businesses from the hospitality sector were found to need further instruction on being compliant with Covid-19  guidelines after they reopened at the weekend.

Under government guidance, pubs have been advised to take customer details to assist with the test and track scheme. It is important pubs are fully informed about data protection knowledge and processes though to ensure information is used correctly.

Read more 

Business resumes as lockdown gradually eases

COVE17 hairdressers

COVE17 clients breathed a sigh of relief as the trendy local barbershop reopened its doors. Following further easing of the lockdown, hair salons could reopen with strict rules over PPE and disinfecting of equipment.

COVE17 owner Yaz said, “The 4th of July will always be remembered. We were deeply moved by the eager anticipation of the COVE17 clientele and our first weekend back in action didn’t disappoint. All three of our shops were fully booked.

"We pride ourselves on a model of exceptional service and experience. This is not compromised by the protective measures now in operation; staff and clients are wearing PPE and following the guidance of clear signage that ensures safety is paramount for all."

Guidance on reopening after lockdown

Fast Foodie

Fast foodie

Are you interested in super fresh daytime catering deliveries to East London postcodes, with all-natural wholefood ingredients and eco packaging? 

Introducing the Fast Foodie - a new kid on the block, but not new to the game, delivering from the Larder’s kitchens, where great food has been on the menu since 2006, in partnership with ZED Waltham Forest’s Zero-Emission Delivery service.

Everything is guaranteed to be freshly made to order and at your door within a one-hour timeslot, or you can order to click and collect from the Larder’s cafes in Wanstead, Chingford or Walthamstow.

See the cafe and treat sections of the shop

London Growth Hub webinars

London Growth Hub

London Growth Hub is running a series of webinars as part of the COVID-19 Business Help Series throughout July:

  • Managing HR Issues & Employability Law,16 July, 10 am to 1 pm
  • Adapting your Workplace: Staff, Safety and Risk Management, 23 July, 10 am
  • Supercharge Your Sales, 28 July, 10 am – 1 pm
  • Managing Your Cash Flow/Finances, 30 July, 10 am – 1 pm

All London-based businesses can also ask for a free one-hour initial call to work out next steps, create a plan of action and access vital resources, support and initiatives to sustain your business and to look for new opportunities.

London Growth Hub webinars

Thrive LDN webinars on mental health

thrive ldn

A new series of free NHS-led webinars called “Coping Well During Covid’, covering subjects ranging from wellbeing and sleep to anxiety and low mood are available to all business owners.

Further information and access to previous recordings

Leyton makers needed

makers of Leyton

Local art practitioners Phillips Walmsley are looking for Leyton makers to feature in a new directory and a mural for High Road Leyton. ‘The Makers of Leyton’ will reveal the range of craft skills and making practices that exist locally and celebrate the makers, producers and businesses that make Leyton unique.

The project is part of the Council’s Making Places initiative to deliver creative projects across the borough that have a lasting impact on communities and neighbourhoods.

To nominate yourself, or someone you know, email makersofleyton@gmail.com with the name of the maker and what they do by Sunday 12 July 2020.

Sign up and Stay Connected

Stay Connected square banner

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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