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COVID-19 UPDATE
Business Bulletin
A full range of business support measures have been made available to UK businesses and employees.
Follow the links to see the latest updates from Government, find financial support for your business and click here if you are self employed.
The Government has set up a business support helpline on 0300 456 3565. This is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. Visit the NWedR website to sign up for the latest updates for North Worcestershire businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic and to receive our monthly newsletter.
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Non-essential retailers re-open their doors
High street retailers and department stores, including book shops, electronics retailers, tailors, auction houses, photography studios, indoor markets and shops selling clothes, shoes and toys, have now re-opened their doors following the COVID-19 secure guidelines set out by the Government in May. 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 the guidance.
Download the sign
See the guidance
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Support for diverse businesses
The Diverse Supply Chains (Tender Readiness & Grant) programme is being delivered by Aston University. It is available to diverse businesses in the GBSLEP area. This includes those owned and managed by women, black and minority ethnic and young entrepreneurs and also people with limiting disabilities, people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT+).
Following the upcoming launch webinar and workshops, the participating (approx. 30 businesses) can access grants of up to £2,500 (matched), to buy services such as
• Bid writing; training in bid writing / support in bid writing
• Marketing & branding e.g. developing websites and marketing material
• Supporting the cost of additional specialised consultancy support
• Acquiring accreditations (non-regulatory)
• Leadership training & Confidence building
The Grants will only be available to eligible businesses that attend the workshop programme. Please book on the launch webinar to take place at 11.30 on Thursday 25 June via this link and quote MPAS as the referral code.
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GBSLEP launches Step Forward
Businesses in North Worcestershire can benefit from the new Step Forward initiative launched this week by Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP. The scheme provides support and help for business recovery and resilience in light of Covid-19.
The comprehensive Step Forward scheme includes support to improve the digital capacities of businesses, an online training programme focusing on resiliency and preparing retailers for reopening, an apprenticeship triage programme, and a grant scheme seeking to support businesses making adaptations to sustain and grow.
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Tell us your story
Together with Business & Innovation Magazine and One Worcestershire, NWedR would love to hear your experience of Covid-19 in terms of responding to the crisis, adapting your business, building resilience in yourself and your team, and all the other aspects of these new times. We would like to share your stories across our communications channels to share insights, connect each other, build resilience and maybe inspire other business leaders as they move through this period. If you would like to tell your story, please contact communications@nwedr.org.uk
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Discretionary Grant Scheme
Wyre Forest, Redditch and Bromsgrove businesses - Your local councils are now inviting applications from small and medium businesses for the Government-funded Discretionary Grant Scheme. The grants are intended to assist small and medium businesses whose income has been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grant applications close on 30 June.
Wyre Forest Businesses
Bromsgrove businesses
Redditch businesses
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Free webinars on available support
Government has updated the information for running your business through the Coronavirus pandemic. Watch videos and register for the free webinars to learn more about the support available to help you deal with the economic impacts of Coronavirus.
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Job Retention Scheme
Find out which employees you can put on furlough and claim for through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Find out more on the Job Retention Scheme
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More on the Furlough Scheme
HM Treasury has announced that parents on statutory maternity and paternity leave who return to work in the coming months after a long period of absence will be permitted to be furloughed after the 10 June cut-off date. This will only apply where they work for an employer who has previously furloughed employees.
Find out more
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Trading with India through the pandemic and beyond
Join this webinar to understand some of the common issues facing Indian and UK business during this current climate. The session will be hosted by Siddharth Mukne, Associate Director at UK India Business Council (UKIBC). He will outline some of the policies the Indian Government have set out and new business support available for businesses to ensure they mitigate any risk and the impact on continued business and trade between the two countries moving forward. The webinar will also provide an opportunity to raise related issues or questions you may have regarding trading with India. It's on Wednesday 24 June at 2pm - sign up here.
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Keep your distance!
The Government has produced updated guidance for the owners and operators of public spaces with information and examples of measures that may be undertaken to adapt and manage public spaces to help social distancing.
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£5million of free online courses
To kick-start new skills and career opportunities, education provider Pearson has created a new portal to support UK workers furloughed or out of work owing to Covid-19.
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