RBKC News, 19.01.2021
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RBKC Coronavirus testing for people without symptoms
If you have no Coronavirus symptoms you can now get a rapid Community Test at Kensington Town Hall, Kensington Leisure Centre or Chelsea Old Town Hall. All centres are open seven days a week. You do not need to book in advance but will need to register when you arrive.
RBKC Coronavirus testing for people with symptoms
If you have any symptoms of Coronavirus do not come to the Community Testing centres. You can book a PCR test online or by calling 119. There is a permanent test centre at Malton Road W10, as well as others open some days at Kensington Olympia and Royal Hospital.
You’re not alone. Support from the FSB
Looking after our mental health and wellbeing is important all year round, but shorter days and darker nights after the festive period can be challenging, leaving many of us feeling the winter blues. Download their free guide, written by Alison Simmons, Senior Mental Health Nurse at FSB Care, to learn practical tips for lifting your mood in the winter months, and find out what to do if you need more support.
RBKC Local Restrictions Support Scheme Grants
Description of all the available grants and online application forms are on this page. This covers:
- Tier 2 Local Restrictions grants (17 Oct – 4 Nov & 2 Dec – 15 Dec 2020)
- National Lockdown Restrictions grants for closed businesses (5 Nov – 1 Dec 2020 & 5 Jan 2021 currently ongoing)
- Tier 3 Local Restrictions grants for closed businesses (16 Dec – 19 Dec 2020)
- Tier 4 Local Restrictions grants for closed businesses (20 Dec 2020 – 4 Jan 2021)
- Additional Restrictions Grants for businesses severely impacted. This is set to reopen this week after being closed after the first round of applications on Sunday 10 January. The deadline for this second round of applications will be posted on our website once it has launched. Note that the status of the business (company self-employed etc) is not so vital as their sector (or are linked to supplying eligible sectors). Note that overall the ARG is not there to offset lost income but to help alleviate the ongoing business costs.
- One-off payments for retail, hospitality and leisure
Christmas payments for wet-led pubs is now closed
RBKC Business Guide
The council are launching the Kensington and Chelsea Business Guide in Spring 2021 to provide information on all services that the Council provides to businesses and to encourage local buying – all businesses have an opportunity to be an essential part of our recovery programme showing the depth and breadth of businesses in the borough. Please email Antonia.hollingsworth@rbkc.gov.uk if you would like to be listed for free in this Guide.
The Guide will be in two parts:
- A printed and digital guide to business services in the borough from Council and partners.
- A digital map and listings of local businesses.
The Workary ‘A London Community of Entrepreneurs’
Wimbletech are launching this new digital platform alongside their ‘Workary’ workspace in three of the borough’s libraries. This will help borough entrepreneurs, freelancers + business owners to connect, collaborate and support each other; through Covid and beyond. Click this link for information.
Units for local businesses at Baseline available
See Zoopla. Property colleagues have confirmed that for now Baseline will remain open during lockdown, as the businesses there do not fall under the current lockdown restrictions and will need access to their premises.
From London Business Hub and the Business School – Recover & Grow
The new initiative from the London Business Hub and the Business School (formerly Cass). Complete the application form by 31 January 2021 to confirm your eligibility. One participant will win a place on the Business School’s Executive MBA, worth £50,000. The free, intensive six-week will provide practical knowledge on finance, technology and changing markets. To apply for Recover & Grow: Your business should have a turnover of at least £450,000 per annum. Learn more here.
Samsung Launches Competition for Young Innovators
This UK-wide competition Solve for Tomorrow is a UK-wide initiative that forms part of Samsung’s global commitment to education. The competition invites young innovators who have tech ideas for new products, services or apps that could make a real difference to people and communities most in need. Apply here. Entries close at midnight on 21st February 2021. Terms and conditions apply
National Lottery Grants for Heritage to Reopen for Smaller Grant Applications
National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) has announced that a phased reopening of project funding will begin in late November 2020: Phase 1 – applications for grants from £3,000-£10,000 and £10,000-£100,000 will be accepted starting from 25 November 2020. Phase 2 – applications for grants from £100,000-£250,000 and £250,000-£5 million will be accepted starting from 8 February 2021.
Arts Council Culture Recovery Fund: Grants Second Round
Between £25,000 and £3,000,000. There may be a limit on how much you can apply to this programme for. If your application for a grant takes you over the described limits in the fund guidance, then you should consider making an application to Culture Recovery Fund: Repayable Finance Round Two. Read the guidance for full details on limits that may apply.
RBKC Arts and Culture Creative Conversation on 25 January 2021
Creative Conversation event in partnership with RBKC’s Arts and Culture team, focused on what role culture can play in COVID-19 recovery. To book for this free online event, please click here. Notes from the Conversations in April 2020 can be found here and from the September 2020 can be found here.
GLA Pay it Forward and the Back to Business Fund
Over £1.3 million has been raised through the Mayor’s Pay It Forward London crowdfunding scheme to help businesses hit hard by the pandemic. Sign up today and get the opportunity to access up to £5,000 in match funding from the Mayor’s Back to Business Fund.
From London Business Hub – London Business Accelerator.
If you don’t quite meet the Recover & Grow criteria the London Business Accelerator may be the one for you: deadline for applications is 20 January.