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Welcome to this week’s business newsletter. This issue features the following articles:
- Apply for an Additional Restrictions Discretionary Grant - Deadline TODAY
- New Tier 4 restrictions
- Work safely during the pandemic
- Business evictions ban extended until March 2021
- Furlough scheme extended to end of April 2021
- Local crowdfunding campaigns and shopping
- Get connected on the free Business Directory
- Brexit transition: make sure your business is ready
It’s been a difficult year, there’s no doubt about that, but we look forward to a less challenging, more prosperous New Year and we wish all Waltham Forest businesses a festive holiday season.
Additional Restrictions Discretionary Grant support certain businesses who are not eligible for Local Restrictions Support Grants and the deadline for applications is 5pm on Wednesday 23 December.
Grants are for businesses with commercial property costs only and there are four categories of grant available:
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Suppliers to the retail, hospitality, events, and leisure sectors, paying business rates.
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Suppliers to the retail, hospitality, events, and leisure sectors, not liable for business rates, but with other commercial property costs.
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Market traders, (permanent or casual) trading in Waltham Forest and licensed by the Council.
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Other businesses legally required to close, operating from commercial premises that are not separately liable for business rates.
Local Restriction Support Grants will continue until further notice. These grants are for businesses with a business rates liability serving the public in the following sectors:
- non-essential retail
- leisure
- personal care
- sports facilities
- hospitality
We are working hard to ensure businesses can also access grants that will be available for the periods of restrictions after 2 December and will make announcements on this soon.
We will also be contacting owners of ‘wet-led’ pubs in regards to the one-off £1,000 additional government grant for the Christmas period, or you can apply directly.
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To reduce social contact, new Tier 4 regulations require some businesses to close and impose restrictions on how some businesses provide goods and services. The businesses required to close include:
- non-essential retail
- hospitality venues
- accommodation
- leisure and sports facilities
- entertainment venues
- indoor attractions at venues
- personal care facilities
- community centres and halls
Some other businesses and activities may remain open. It is important to understand what is relevant to you while operating under these new guidelines.
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Find out how to make your workplace COVID-secure, using one of 14 guides that cover a range of different types of work. Many businesses operate in more than one type of workplace, such as an office, factory and fleet of vehicles. You may wish to use more than one of these guides as you think through what you need to do to keep people safe.
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Business owners affected by the pandemic will be protected from eviction until the end of March 2021.
The majority of commercial landlords have shown flexibility, understanding and commitment to protect businesses during an exceptionally challenging time.
Get free advice on business rates, understanding your lease, landlord negotiations and finding commercial premises in these troubling times. London Business Hub are running a series of FREE webinars and one-to-ones.
Webinar dates: 12th January, 9th February & 9th March. Time: 10.30am-12.30pm
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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 today.
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A number of local businesses have started crowdfunding campaigns on Crowdfunder, taking part in their Pay It Forward campaign. The campaigns are for a wide range of businesses, from fashion, books and music, to food and gift appeals for our community.
You can also shop local to support our community while buying gifts or other items for the holidays. Read more about our campaign Choose Local. Support Everyone. and how to get involved.
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The Waltham Forest Connected Business Directory is dedicated to promoting local businesses offering services to residents.
If you are offering a click-and-collect or delivery service, tell us about it on social media. Use the hashtag #ChooseLocalWF and tag us on Twitter @wfcouncil and we will support by Re-Tweeting and sharing your goods and services through our channels.
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Is your business ready for Brexit?
The Brexit transition period ends this year.
Check the new rules from January 2021 and act now.
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You received this newsletter because you signed up for news about business news in Waltham Forest.
There are now email newsletters set up for most of the Council's services plus regeneration sites across Waltham Forest so if you are interested in other services please sign up for those newsletters too.
Please encourage friends and family to sign up so they too can stay connected with what's happening in our borough.
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