RBKC News, 31.03.2021.

Tier 2, Tier 3, and 4 Local Restrictions and National Lockdown Restrictions, plus one-off payments for retail, hospitality and leisure will close at 5pm TODAY Wednesday 31 March 2021; see information below:

All Grant information is on this page on our website: Covid19 support for businesses

• The four current Government grant schemes shown on this page (Tier 2, Tier 3, and 4 Local Restrictions and National Lockdown Restrictions) plus the one-off payments for retail, hospitality and leisure will close at 5pm TODAY Wednesday 31 March 2021. 

• Also on this page is information for the Additional Restrictions Grant – The eligibility for the ARG has been expanded for this window of applications to include start-ups who had begun operating within six months before the March 2020 lockdown. Sole traders and other small business owners, for example taxi drivers, market stall holders and mobile hairdressers or beauty technicians, will still be eligible as before. All information and evidence will need to be submitted as part of the online application form on this page. The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 9 April 2021.

• Information on the Restart Grant will also shortly be on this page.  Colleagues were on a call with the Government last Thursday with reference to the guidance.  We are working on getting an online application form set up.  We will require customers to apply for this grant, even if we have paid them other grants as the government requires us to capture additional information for this grant.

• Also on this page is information on one-off payments for retail, hospitality and leisure, funding for employers through the Kickstart scheme, extra protection for commercial tenants who miss rent payments, plus additional information on loans, information for self-employed and one to one information, advice and guidance provided through our partner the Portobello Business Centre.

RBKC Businesses re-opening and working safely during Coronavirus (COVID-19)

A letter had gone out from our Director of Public Protection to businesses to provide guidance to commercial and retail business premises owners and occupiers that are currently operating or will be planning to re-open in line with the Government’s proposed dates for easing of current restrictions.  This advice letter provides some guidance on matters of good practice as businesses re-open.  It advises on how to return and maintain both a safe working environment and a safe, hygienic setting for customers and staff.

You can apply for a pavement licence via the Council website

Al fresco dining and shopping is due to make a welcome return to our streets in April. We’ve issued more than 200 pavement licences for businesses to operate outdoors since last summer and 24-hour road closures are in place in Pavilion Road, Bute Street and Elystan Street so that cafes, bars and restaurants can trade safely when lockdown eases.

Census Day was Sunday 21 March, but it’s not too late to take part

This is a chance for everyone in Kensington and Chelsea to be represented in this once-in-a-decade survey. Census data can drive business growth and job creation and also helps entrepreneurs with research and development. Households will have received their unique access codes to take part online.  Make your voice heard and provide the best insight into our borough.  Start here.

Apply for NCIL funding

There is £2.3mn NCIL available (as of January 2021)Residents, local community groups (such as business forums), residents’ associations, registered charities, infrastructure providers and charitable companies may apply for NCIL funding.  The Earls Court Business Forum was successful in their application in the last round and are bringing forward projects to support the trading environment in that area.  The application form and accompanying guidance note is available on the Planning Policy Consultation page.  The second Call for NCIL Projects is open between 25 February to 8 April inviting projects to be put forward for NCIL funding. Please submit your project funding application forms by the closing time of 11:59pm on 8 April 2021.

Do you work with a business based in North Kensington?
Please encourage them to become a member of the North Kensington Connected Business Forum.  The next North Kensington Connected Business Forum meeting is scheduled on Thursday 15th April 2021 at 4.30pm. To join the Business Forum and gain access to all meetings, businesses can click here to complete the membership form. An invitation will follow.  For further information please contact Stuart Woodrow, North Kensington Business Champion: 07387 396397, stuart@pbc.co.uk.