Latest Update Coronavirus

Business Support – Latest Updates

RBKC News

The Prime Minister has announced plans for a four-week lockdown in England from Thursday 5 November to help slow the spread of the virus. See the new national restrictions here.

Business Grants: Business premises forced to close in England due to local or national restrictions will be eligible for grants. We await the full guidance from government who will be setting thresholds for the grants.  Over the next few days the Council’s Covid-19 webpages will be updated with guidance on the Business Grants, and also to reflect what these new restrictions mean for our services and the community.  

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Also known as the furlough scheme, has been extended to December 2020. The Job Support Scheme will not be introduced until after Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme ends. Check to find:

o   Which employees you can put on furlough to use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

o   If you can claim for your employees’ wages using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

o   What steps you need to take before calculating your claim

o   Find out how much you can claim.

o   For information on claiming for wages through the scheme click here.

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Grant Extension:  The grant is being extended from 1 November 2020. Find out if you are eligible and how much you can get.

Loan schemes: coronavirus Bounce Back LoanCoronavirus Business Interruption LoanCoronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme and coronavirus Future Fund have been extended until 31 January 2021.

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Other News

London Community Response Fund from the London Growth Hub

COVID-19 Support Grants for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will reopen for applications this November. Please note the funds are extremely limited

Visitor Economy applications will reopen for 24 hours at 10.00am Tuesday 10 November (until 10.00am on 11 November). Visitor Economy (remaining fund £243,085): Between 48-81 grants

Wider Economy applications will reopen for 24 hours 10.00am Tuesday 17 November (until 10.00am on 18 November). Wider Economy (remaining fund £104,567): Between 21-36 grants

Eligible SMEs will be able to secure grants of between £1,000 – £5,000 to help them access professional, legal, financial or other advice and /or new technology and other minor equipment to address their immediate needs in response to the impact of COVID-19. 

Human Resources advice for SMEs in the Covid-19 era an RBKC Supply Chain Webinar in association with CrosseHR

Online on 12th November 2020 at 9.30-11.00am. Book here.  Very popular interactive webinar again for those of you who missed it first time around.  It covers all aspects of HR/Personnel/People issues that you may have as a small business. This includes the legal stuff but also advice on how to deal with the practicalities of different personnel scenarios and avoid the case being taken to an employment tribunal.  RBKC Supply Chain is offering you an opportunity to hear from an experienced HR professional who will explain what employment rights are and answer your questions about the common HR pitfalls facing companies today. 

Global Entrepreneurship Week November 16-22, 2020 approaches.

You’ll recall that in 2019 we delivered the RBKC Into Enterprise two-week programme of events to coincide with this.  Although this year things are different and organisations are focussed on other things, we would like to make sure that we promote as much of our partner resources and enterprise-support to residents as we can.  Please send all your events or entrepreneur-incentives to Rebecca.Linsley@rbkc.gov.uk

Earl’s Court entrepreneurs and businesses roll out the red carpet for their Film Festival and Food Festival

Available at home @earlscourtfilmfest and You Tube; view and enjoy whilst dining in on the best that the area has to offer during The Earls Court Food Festival.  Local restaurants are offering special edition global dishes for takeaway and delivery under £10 until Monday 16 November. Look out for offers from participating outlets.

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 FSB: Is your business prepared for the festive period?

The festive season will be a crucial opportunity to build back sales amid uncertainty.  Advice on taking payment online and managing your working capital when buying stock. View FSB’s advice and information here.

If you’re a creative business:

The Mayor of London’s Culture and Creative Industries Unit wants to know what skills and training would be useful to you and your business. This will help shape support for London’s cultural and creative industries in the coming months. 

Take the short survey.

London Business Hub

London Business Hub one stop-shop for businesses.  See also:

Property Advice Service – a programme that offers access to a series of free masterclasses on business rates, lease negotiations and more.

Recover and Grow – a new business leadership programme equipping 250 London-based small businesses with the skills they need to bounce back from the impact of COVID-19.

EU Transition Business Resource Hub – a podcast series where you can hear from London businesses on the challenges they are facing as the UK prepares to leave the EU.