We are thrilled to announce that we have just launched a new grant scheme to support businesses in West Berkshire, which opened on Monday!
The Additional Restrictions Grant: Challenge Fund is an opportunity for local businesses to apply for grants of up to £25,000 to fund projects which will stimulate growth and recovery, under the categories of either Green Growth or Digital Improvements.
Some examples of proposals could include new equipment, development of an app or website to improve a service, or covering the costs of connecting to full-fibre for rural businesses.
The deadline for applications is 13 February 2022 and successful businesses will receive their grant upfront in early March.
Both limited companies and sole traders may apply if they are based in West Berkshire and were trading on 1 September 2021.
We are really excited to see innovative proposals from businesses of all types and sizes across the district to drive recovery from the pandemic.
 Government Guidelines
- face coverings are required by law in some public indoor settings, such as shops, takeaways, (where there is no space for consumption of food or drink on the premise), and cinemas
- from Monday 13 December, office workers who can work from home should do so
- from 6am on Wednesday 15 December, certain venues and events will be required by law to check the COVID status of customers using the NHS COVID Pass or other accepted proof
As the new rules to tackle Omicron variant comes in across England, we would like to share some useful information with businesses.
Lateral flow tests should be taken if you are going to a higher risk environment and these are available to collect from your local pharmacy or you can order them online. If you need help to complete a test, the Assisted Testing Van is at different locations throughout the week and can help you complete a test and show you how to do the tests yourself.
People can book their booster vaccine from our sites in the Kennet Centre and in Lambourne Graham Jones Pharmacy alongside some pop up centres that you can find on the NHS website.
 December: This Christmas Shop Local, Shop Green
This Christmas, the Business and and Environment team came together to publish a digital magazine looking at our local independent shops with a green agenda. It has been great to see so many amazing businesses in the district featured and we hope this is a trend to be continued into 2022. You can read the magazine online here.
November: Social Value Policy
We launched the Social Value Policy in November with the aim to generate greater positive economic, environmental and social outcomes for West Berkshire from the public contracts the Council commissions and tenders. The policy looks at helping to support community benefits such as the prevention of social isolation and encouraging the creation of job opportunities for local people among others. Many opportunities also exist to innovate and generate environmental benefits in support of the delivery of the West Berkshire Environment Strategy. We hope this ensures suppliers are rewarded for their values to create a better future together.
 June - Present: Welcome Back Fund
We are managing and distributing £279,000 of funding from the European Regional Development Fund to promote a safe and successful return to high streets across the district through the Welcome Back Fund. It is supporting events and activities such as the Victorian Fayre in Newbury, the Christmas Extravaganza in Hungerford, and beautification on Thatcham Broadway, with more to come in the new year!
June - Present: Welcome Back Grant
In addition to the European fund, West Berkshire Council has made over £100,000 available to local businesses to host events and drive footfall to our high streets. Some of the businesses used the Welcome Back Business Grant to host live music events and markets whereas others used it to improve outdoor seating facilities. It definitely brought a bustling vibe to West Berkshire this summer!
2020 - Present: Kickstart
We have taken a leading role with the Kickstart scheme and made 55 job vacancies available to local young people; recruiting 26 so far in both West Berkshire Council and the businesses we support. We have seen some huge success stories through the scheme and hope that each of these 6-month opportunities is the beginning of a successful career.
You can read accounts of some of the people we have recruited through the scheme here and here.
And finally...
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