RBKC COVID 19 BUSINESS PORTAL is the link for all information coming from RBKC. Please refer back to the portal as it will get updated often.
RBKC latest updates:
1. Support that has a high level of interest is as follows:
A business rates holiday for those eligible within the retail, hospitality and leisure industries for the 2020 to 2021 tax year – revised bills for 2020/21 are currently being issued by RBKC.
A grant of up to £25,000 for smaller businesses who were eligible for business rates retail relief on 11 March 2020 and the rateable value of premises is less than £51,000
- If your property has a rateable value of up to £15,000, you will be entitled to a grant of £10,000.
- If your rateable value is between £15,001 and £51,000, you are entitled to £25,000.
A grant of £10,000 for businesses in the borough that are currently in receipt of Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR). All businesses that were in receipt of SBRR at 11 March 2020 are eligible.
If a business is relatively new start-up and has not yet registered for Small Business Rates Relief, submitting an hardship application to RBKC’s business rates team in respect of existing business rates might be applicable. The application form is here.
Eligible businesses for the above schemes can now submit the required information for these schemes to RBKC’s business rates team through an online Covid 19 business rates application form,
The Council is writing to all businesses eligible for the above schemes requesting email contact details, and details for making payments. If businesses can’t access their post at their premises they can email RBKC’s business rates team at covid19businessrates@rbkc.gov.uk
Government links
Support for businesses paying tax: Time to Pay service.
2. Further support from Government, RBKC, and borough partners.
Direct financial assistance – is available through the new temporary Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), delivered by the British Business Bank. See Support for larger firms through the COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme enables registered employers to access funding to pay 80% of the wages of staff (up to a maximum of £2,500) who have been temporarily sent home because there is no work being done. Eligibility and other details are here: Support for employers through job retention scheme
The (COVID-19) Self-employment Income Support Scheme is for those who are self-employed or a member of a partnership and have lost income due to coronavirus. The money – up to a maximum of £2,500 a month – will be paid in a single lump sum, but will not begin to arrive until the start of June at the earliest. Eligibility and other details are here: Support for the self-employed
If a person became self-employed from April 2019 they may not be eligible therefore may wish to explore universal credit. The self-employed will still be able to access other available government support for those affected by coronavirus, including more generous universal credit and business continuity loans where they have a business bank account
Businesses renting commercial premises (including storage units) from the Council. Rent is suspended for three months on commercial premises and storage space we own and let. If any of our commercial occupiers have any questions about this, they can get in touch with RBKC’s property team at propertyinformation@rbkc.gov.uk
We advise businesses not renting from RBKC to speak to their landlord to see if they have considered any measure to help, for example, by moving from a quarterly to a monthly rent, or indeed offering a pause on collecting rent for an agreed period. See also Protection from eviction for commercial tenants, commercial tenants who cannot pay their rent because of COVID-19 will be protected from eviction. Note that this is not a rental holiday – businesses will still be liable for the rent.
See this link from TfL for their commercial tenants.
Businesses in RBKC street markets. Only food stalls (fruit and veg, fishmongers etc) as well as household goods (cleaning products etc) will operate. The Council has made changes to how markets operate in line with social distancing guidance from the Government. If businesses have a specific street trading question they can email RBKC’s Street Trading team at: street.trading@rbkc.gov.uk or call them on tel: 020 7727 7684.
Food businesses – operational guidance. Find out the Government’s latest information and advice on all aspects of food preparation and storage, including food hygiene, packing and disposal. For the most up to date information on the closing of certain businesses and venues please see here. RBKC’s licensing team has written to food businesses with regard to this. If you have any food safety or health and safety related questions please contact us; environmentalhealth@rbkc.gov.uk or call 020 7361 3002
Food businesses – operating as a temporary takeaway. New planning legislation allows pubs and restaurants to be used as hot food takeaways for a temporary period of up to 12 months. Businesses are required to tell RBKC when the new use begins and ends. Businesses can do this by contacting RBKC’s planning team at planning@rbkc.gov.uk. See GOV.UK website for more information.
The Association of Convenience Stores has some useful guidance for corner shops. Go to ACS website. It includes: Home delivery guidance; Guidance on claiming grants and compensation; Guidance on employment law and colleague support; Posters for stores on home delivery; and a template letter for businesses critical workers.
The London Growth Hub from The London Mayor have launched a portal to support London-based businesses and employers. It includes access to COVID-19 related webinars, virtual events and external resources.
The Pop Up Business School. This school had a one-week residency in the borough in November 2019 part-funded by RBKC and is posting free daily content to guide and support businesses and self-employed through the Covid-19 epidemic.
The RBKC Supply Chain continues to offer services such as brokering opportunities with buyers as and when they arise, critical review of any tenders by a tendering specialist prior to submission. More information here RBKC Supply Chain, or contact David McAlpine, Director, MTW Consultants Ltd, email david@mtwconsultants.co.uk or phone 07891165207.
Startup Resilience from Capital Enterprise. Help and support to guide you through Covid-19. Capital Enterprise have developed a range of online events and support for businesses.
Looking at support for Workspace Providers. Capital Enterprise Roundtable on ‘Supporting London’s Workspace Providers’, to be held on Tuesday 14th April 2020 from 2:00 – 3:30pm through Zoom. If you are able to join the Roundtable please register via the registration page. Please send any questions in advance to laurel@capitalenterprise.org and we will try to address all concerns during the discussion.
RBKC libraries team can provide information for research, product development and marketing. Go to Business Information Point or libraries web pages for free online resources. And don’t forget that the British Library also has important online resources for businesses and the self-employed
North Ken News was published on Friday. Go here