Roadmap out of lockdown
We’re now just a few days away from Step 2 of the easing of lockdown restrictions. Monday 12 April will see the opening of non-essential retail, personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons, public buildings, libraries and community centres. Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms will also reopen (only for use by people on their own or in household groups) as will most outdoor attractions and settings including outdoor hospitality venues, zoos, theme parks, and drive-in cinemas. Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, can also reopen.
Hospitality venues will be allowed to serve people outdoors at Step 2 and there will be no need for customers to order a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks and no curfew, although customers must order, eat and drink while seated (‘table service’). Wider social contact rules will apply in all these settings to prevent indoor mixing between different households.
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Recovery Loan Scheme Launched
A new Government-backed loan scheme is now launched (6 April) to provide additional finance to those businesses that need it. With non-essential retail and outdoor hospitality reopening next week, Ministers have ensured that appropriate support is still available to businesses to protect jobs. From today, businesses – ranging from coffee shops and restaurants, to hairdressers and gyms – and can access loans varying in size from £25,000, up to a maximum of £10 million. Invoice and asset finance is available from £1,000.
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Business opportunities at Commonwealth Games
The search is on to find suppliers who can deliver nearly £5million worth of catering services for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. With just over 500 days to go until the start of the Games, the official procurement process to find catering suppliers of all sizes to provide services to spectators, athletes, officials, volunteers, and workforce, is now open. Catering contracts are expected to support approximately 2,000 jobs during Games time and will be a much welcome boost to a sector that has suffered during the global pandemic.
The successful suppliers will have proven experience of delivering high quality catering operations and share a passion for providing relevant, high-quality food and drinks as well as exemplary levels of customer service. Suppliers will be expected to demonstrate initiatives that deliver social value and support the local community.
The first procurement for these catering services is now open and businesses are invited to complete a Selection Questionnaire (formerly known as PQQ). The invitation to submit initial bids is April 2021, with the final tender in May 2021. The contract will be awarded in the summer of 2021.
Interested businesses are encouraged to apply via the procurement portal:
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Overview of grants and business support
NWedR has collated information on the current grants and support available to North Worcestershire businesses. This ‘at a glance’ summary has been designed to provide a quick overview for business leaders across the area. This is being updated regularly and displayed on the front page of our website.
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Applications open for £20m SME Brexit Support Fund
The SME Brexit Support Fund has been established to help small and medium businesses with changes to trading regulations with the EU, including new customs, rules of origin, and VAT arrangements. The Fund will help businesses prepare for the implementation of import controls which come into force from April and July 2021. SMEs that trade only with the EU, and are therefore new to importing and exporting processes, will be encouraged to apply for grants of up to £2,000. The grants will pay for practical support for importing and exporting, including training and professional advice to ensure businesses can continue trading effectively with the EU. Applications will close on 30 June 2021 or earlier if all funding is allocated prior to this date.
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Worcestershire Jobs website re-launched
Worcestershire Jobs is a completely free service that has been launched by the Worcestershire LEP and Worcestershire County Council to help people easily find jobs, training options and educational courses all within Worcestershire. The online jobs portal works by collating all local vacancies and courses into one easy to use website. This allows anyone to quickly search for jobs, training opportunities or further educational courses at the click of a button.
Users can also enter keywords to filter their results based on the interests or skills they have.
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Are you in the tourism sector in Worcestershire?
If so, join us for a look at the future of tourism and hospitality in Worcestershire! This free event will be held on Thursday 29 April from 9.30am to 11.00am and is open to businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector and will include a choice of workshops run by @TheHospitalit10
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April 2021 – Celebrating North Worcestershire Calendar
Our winning feature this month is HR Dept. Sara Marrett is displaying just a few of the many HR issues she tackles on an everyday basis as part of her flexible HR service!
See the complete 2021 Celebrating North Worcesterssituations she hire calendar photo gallery.
This year, NWedR and North Worcestershire Business Leaders (NWBL) have partnered once again to invite local businesses to submit just 50 words about the area for a chance to win a fantastic package of free marketing support. Now in its fourth year, the 2022 ‘Celebrating North Worcestershire’ competition provides the opportunity to win a valuable prize which will go to 12 lucky businesses.
The prize includes a spotlight month in the wonderful ‘Celebrating North Worcestershire Calendar’ with a dedicated company photoshoot, features in the NWedR newsletter, social media PR campaign, an online feature in Business and Innovation magazine and your company photograph highlighted for a year on the NWedR and NWBL website photo galleries. The competition winners panel judges are looking for the most memorable, clear and insightful descriptions of why North Worcestershire is the best location for business.
Entries for 2022 are open now and close on Tuesday 4 May 2021.
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