Business Update - COVID19

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Business NK - COVID19

Face covering

From today (24 July) face coverings are mandatory in shops and supermarkets, to protect those who work in shops and to give people more confidence to shop safely. Those who do not wear a face covering in shops will face a fine of up to £100.

Shops can refuse entry to someone not wearing a face covering and can call the police if someone fails to comply.

Further guidance on face coverings, their role in reducing the transmission of coronavirus, the settings in which they are recommended, and how they should be safely used and stored is available here.


The Better Business for All toolkit

The Better Business for All (BBfA) partnership has used its knowledge and expertise to bring together resources from trusted organisations to help guide businesses through the main considerations for restarting business safely.

The Better Business for All (BBfA) partnership toolkit aims to help Lincolnshire businesses become COVID-19 secure, resume trading safely, and protect their staff and customers as lockdown is eased. 

In particular it provides useful documents such as a risk assessment template and action plan, business checklists and useful guides to help you.


Reduced rate of VAT for hospitality, holiday, accommodation and attractions

On 8 July 2020, the government announced that it would introduce a temporary 5% reduced rate of VAT for certain supplies of hospitality, hotel and holiday accommodation, and admissions to certain attractions.

This cut in the VAT rate from the standard rate of 20% will have effect from 15 July 2020 to 12 January 2021.

These changes have been brought in as an urgent response to the coronavirus pandemic to support businesses severely affected by forced closures and social distancing measures. For more information please see here.


Key dates for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

  • Submit your CJRS claim for periods ending on or before 30‌‌‌ ‌June 2020 by 31‌‌‌ ‌July 2020. This is the last date you can make those claims. You need to have made a claim at any point on or before 31‌‌‌ ‌July to be able to make a claim for future months.
  • From 1‌‌‌ ‌August 2020 the scheme will no longer fund employers’ National Insurance (NI) and pensions contributions for furloughed employees. You will have to make these payments from your own resources.
  • From 1‌‌‌ ‌September 2020 you will have to start contributing to the wages of your furloughed employees. Grants will be for 70% of usual wages in September and 60% in October, but furloughed employees will continue to be entitled to receive at least 80% of their usual wages. You will have to make up the difference from your own resources.

For more information on the CJRS please see here.


UK aerospace sector to benefit from £400 million funding to go green

The Business Secretary has announced grants totalling £200 million, matched by industry, for new aerospace research and technology.

  • Projects include developing high-performance engines, new wing designs, and ultra-lightweight materials to reduce fuel consumption
  • New FlyZero initiative will bring together 100 experts to kickstart work into zero-emission aircraft technology, with the aim of securing future manufacturing in the UK

Full details can be found here: https://bit.ly/39exowc


Business events given go ahead to resume from 1 October

  • Government to begin pilots to help plan how best to restart indoor business events
  • New guidance outlines how the nation’s conference venues can get back up and running safely


Business events, conferences and events centres will be given the go ahead to reopen on 1 October adhering to social distancing, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced Friday (17 July).

Provided levels of infection remain at current rates, this will see the return of the sector worth approximately £32.6 billion to the UK each year.

Full details can be found here: https://bit.ly/39aepD5


Planning guidance to accompany the Business and Planning Act 2020

The Business and Planning Act received Royal Assent on 22 July 2020. This guidance should be read alongside a number of the planning and licensing measures in the Act.

Eat Out to Help Out

Registrations for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme are open.

Restaurants and other establishments serving food for on-premises consumption can now sign up to a new government initiative aimed at protecting jobs in the hospitality industry and encouraging people to safely return to dining out.

Restaurants, bars, cafes and other establishments who use the scheme will offer a 50% reduction, up to a maximum of £10 per person, to all diners who eat and/or drink-in on Monday –Wednesday throughout August.

There will be a dedicated page on our BusinessNK website to list all participating restaurants in North Kesteven. If you are registered for the scheme and wish to publicise your establishment please send your details to ecodev@n-kesteven.gov.uk


Free Support for North Kesteven Businesses

NKDC offers the service of a Business Support Adviser, Phil Means. Phil can assist businesses and provide bespoke advice and support.

If you are in business and feel you could benefit from free business advice please contact him.

Either call Phil on 07920 472671 or email phil_means@n-kesteven.gov.uk


Community champion awards

Do you think your business or one you know about is deserving of a NK Community Champion Award?

We’re looking to celebrate the many community-minded businesses within North Kesteven, especially those who’ve show excellence and community-focus in their coronavirus response. Nominations at www.nkawards.org close at noon on Friday, July 31.


Support for business from outside government

Public bodies, organisations and charities have produced additional resources that may be useful to employers and employees. To access the resources please see here.


Are you on Facebook?

If so, join our Business NK group here. We will be sharing information, support and advice on there during Covid-19, and beyond.


Webinars for the week ahead

27/07/2020 15:30-16:15 Policy Briefing webinar on supporting SME businesses impacted by coronavirus

28/07/2020 09:00 -13:00 Free webinar to help your business reduce its energy bills

28/07/2020 14:00-15:00 Redundancy Support for Employers

30/07/2020 14:00-15:00 Innovation Showcase: How Lincolnshire businesses have adapted during Covid-19