This week we will see further changes to the way we go about our daily lives as face coverings become mandatory in shops and supermarkets. We have published a poster for shops to use at their entrances reminding customers to wear their masks. Please download the poster here.
New legislation has been passed giving us the power to issue 'pavement licences' to food and drink establishments so they can place tables and chairs outside to make up for space lost inside due to social distancing rules. There are further details on how to apply below but I am pleased to announce that we have taken the decision NOT to charge for these licences as we felt this added an unnecessary burden to businesses at a difficult time.
Face coverings will be mandatory for people entering shops from Friday 24 July. We have produced a poster which you can download from our website reminding customers to wear their face masks. We encourage all retail businesses to display the poster at their entrance.
Face coverings are not compulsory for shop staff in circumstances identified by their COVID-19 risk assessment, for example when screens or visors are in use or when a staff member is not in close proximity to people they do not normally meet but it is recommended staff have them available to wear when needed.
The Government launched the Eat Out to Help Out scheme to incentivise people to eat in restaurants by giving them a 50% discount which businesses can then claim back from the government. The scheme is designed to drum up custom on quieter days of the week.
Businesses will be able to use the Eat Out to Help Out scheme:
all day, every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 to 31 August 2020
to offer a 50% discount on food or non-alcoholic drinks to eat or drink in (up to a maximum of £10 discount per diner)
to claim the money back from the government
Eating establishments need to register for the scheme before offering a discount.
Enterprise Nation has teamed up with BEIS and the Professional and Business Services sector to offer businesses free advice to help them recover from the impact of Coronavirus.
Professional bodies and trade associations are mobilising experts in their sectors to offer free calls on topics from accounting to advertising, HR and legal affairs. Enterprise Nation is providing free access to its platform, so businesses in need of advice and support can connect with advisers offering to help.
This offer will be available until 31st December 2020.
One of the early COVID-19 response measures announced by the Government was the option to defer VAT payments between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020. If you cancelled your direct debits to defer your VAT payments you now need to:
set-up new direct debits in enough time for HMRC to take payment
continue to submit VAT returns as normal, and on time
pay the VAT in full on payments due after 30 June
Any VAT payments you deferred between 20 March and 30 June should be paid in full on or before 31 March 2021. Please see the guidance for further information
Consumer awareness of climate change and environmental issues means that there are now real benefits for businesses that are able to quantify the carbon footprints of their products and services.
The Carbon Trust is hosting a webinar on Wednesday 19 August which will discuss how a product carbon label can allow you to demonstrate your transparent and proactive approach to measuring and reducing carbon emissions. Please book using the link below.
Buying local is the best way to support the local economy. Several local businesses stock a wide range of 'back to work' products including PPE, sanitising equipment and signage.
We are more than happy to add other local suppliers to the list - please let us know at business@westoxon.gov.uk.
Other helpful organisations
Several business groups are coming up trumps with help and advice for businesses. The ones below are good but do also check the trade association for your own sector.
Enterprise Nation - a vibrant community of small businesses and business advisers with a website packed full of resources
UK Hospitality - represents the broad hospitality sector – covering everything from bars, coffee shops, contract catering, hotels, nightclubs, visitor attractions and other leisure venues
MD2MD - helps managing directors compare notes on business MD to MD. Now operating online with a free trial period for qualifying business leaders.
Summary of business support
The Government's business support website sets out the full range of business support measures that have been made available to UK businesses and employees.
Please forward this email to others to whom this might be useful and encourage them to sign up to further updates. Please note that you can access previous editions of this newsletter too.
The council Coronavirus web pages have updates about business support, communities and leisure, bins and recycling, elections and council meetings, planning, building and council news.
We hope you found this newsletter useful. We would like them to be as relevant as possible so please let us know what you think and don’t forget to send us your news to business@westoxon.gov.uk
This week we will see further changes to the way we go about our daily lives as face coverings become mandatory in shops and supermarkets. We have published a poster for shops to use at their entrances reminding customers to wear their masks. Please 
