Hello, I’m Cllr Tony Dale, Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills. 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've published a poster for shops to use at their entrances reminding customers to wear their masks. 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.
Face coverings will be mandatory for people entering shops from Friday 24 July. We've 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 as an incentive for 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. Read 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.
To help local businesses the Growth Hub hosts a range of workshops and courses, run by local experts, to upskill you and your team in breaking down barriers to growth. Upcoming events include:
How to get more customers using social media
How to grow your business with photo and video
How to pitch your charity or social enterprise for investment
UK Hospitality - represents the broad hospitality sector – covering everything from bars, coffee shops, contract catering, hotels, nightclubs, visitor attractions and other leisure venues
Cotswold Taste - not for profit co-operative providing advice, business, marketing and promotional support to its members, food chain producers and support businesses
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.
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Our council Coronavirus web pages have updates about business support, communities and leisure, bins and recycling, elections and council meetings, planning, building and council news.
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