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                                                                                                           29/07/21
Step 4 Guidance for Businesses and Venues: On Monday 19 July, the remaining legal lockdown restrictions for England were lifted. For businesses this means:
  • All remaining businesses and venues, such as nightclubs, can now reopen.
  • Capacity limits at sporting, entertainment, or business events are now removed, with full vaccination being a condition for entry by the end of September.
  • Hospitality venues are no longer be required to provide table service or follow social distancing rules.
  • Employees are no longer being instructed to work from home, although it is recommended that workplaces instigate a gradual return during the summer.
Coronavirus is still a risk to all and businesses should follow the government’s ‘Working Safely’ guidance. It is vital you continue to encourage your employees to get their vaccinations. A list of walk-in and mass vaccination centres, plus pop-up events is available here.
Key Updates
Support for Businesses Affected by Flash Flooding: Although we responded quickly to the recent flooding incidents, it’s important to us that we hear from those affected. On Friday 30 July, from midday to 1pm, we are hosting an online public meeting with Thames Water for businesses and residents affected. You will be able to ask questions about what happened and discuss with the relevant authorities how such events can be prevented in the future. Details on how to attend the online meeting, as well as how to submit questions can be found here. In the meantime, if your business has been affected, the Business Unit can be contacted for assistance by email at businessunit@westminster.gov.uk or by telephone on 020 7641 2070. Our website remains up to date with the latest information and advice.
Al fresco dining in Soho
Removal of al fresco barriers and road closures on 1 October: We introduced al fresco dining during lockdown to encourage residents and visitors back to the West End. This has been a huge success creating more than 16,000 additional covers across the borough – the highest number in London – many of which are in the Soho area. Now, as planned, on Friday 1 October we will be re-opening roads that were temporarily closed for the scheme. This includes the removal of all current barriers.

Current pavement licences issued under the terms of the Business and Planning Act 2020 will expire on 30 September. The government has now extended the scheme for a further year from 1 October. All those who hold a licence will need to submit a new application as soon as possible. However, due to the lifting of road closures and removal of barriers, many areas previously licensed under this scheme may no longer be available.

We will consider granting new pavement licences from 1 October on existing non-extended footways. Our website details the conditions and requirements for any new pavement licence. Licences will be issued for up to six months, in line with the parallel Tables and Chairs licensing regime, subject to the location and other relevant safety considerations.

Our website contains full details on applying for a licence along with the terms and conditions associated with the licensing regime, including use of street-side furniture.
Changes to the Pavement Licence for Hospitality Businesses in East Soho: For public safety reasons, we have made changes to the way in which premises in East Soho can use the space allocated by the current Pavement Licence and the Al Fresco scheme. East Soho businesses can only place tables and chairs on the highway in the area designated on the plan attached to the pavement licence. This means no gazebos, umbrellas, heaters or other furniture are allowed within the designated area.

This applies to all premises in Frith, Greek, Dean, Moor, Bateman and Old Compton Streets in East Soho. Tables and Chairs licences issued under the City of Westminster Act 1999, on the footpath, are not affected by this change. A letter from our Licensing Team about this change has gone out to all applicable hospitality premises.
The front cover of the Business Readiness Toolkit document
Pilot of the Business Readiness Toolkit: In partnership with the West End Security Group (WESG), we are launching the pilot of the Business Readiness Toolkit.

While many Westminster businesses are experienced in business continuity, emergency preparedness and accounting for the impacts of major incidents, there are many that are not. We recognise that there is a lack of support for businesses in this area, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 places a duty on local authorities to provide business continuity advice and support to local businesses. The implications of minimal support provision in this area is costly to all, not just to the business community. Businesses, jobs and safety can be put at risk, and also drives up the cost of goods, services and insurance. These effects are felt disproportionately by smaller enterprises which make up the majority of businesses in the City. We therefore have a need and requirement to support businesses to assess the risks to their businesses and develop continuity plans so they become more resilient.

The main objective of this toolkit is to support and empower businesses to understand the risks that they may face, and to develop plans to mitigate or respond to them. In doing so, Westminster’s businesses will become individually and collectively more resilient and better able to respond and recover. The pilot will last several months, after which we will evaluate the outputs and benefits of the initiative with the intention of rolling this out as a Westminster-wide Business Readiness Framework.

During the next few months we will be working with Soho-area businesses on this pilot. For more information about the toolkit, please contact the Westminster Business unit by email at businessunit@westminster.gov.uk or via telephone on 020 7641 2070.
People having a meeting at the Westminster Business Library
Work Smarter at Westminster Business Library: Got a small business start-up and looking for workspace? Victoria Library has opened a new business environment, offering state-of-the-art co-working spaces and meetings rooms at highly affordable rates. There will also be workshops, webinars and talks from industry experts, along with books and news sources to help your projects grow. It’s an ideal location to launch your professional journey. Find out more by emailing bip@westminster.gov.uk or by calling 020 7641 4291.
Help Keep London’s Night-time Safer: Safer Sounds is working with the Metropolitan Police, the Mayor of London, local councils and venues across London to help people enjoy safer nights out in public spaces. It will be hosting three free Welfare And Vulnerability Engagement training sessions.

These sessions are open to anyone working in the night-time economy and venues are encourages to invite as many of their management, frontline staff and security teams to take part. Attendees will learn to identify and respond to vulnerability within their premises and to prevent and reduce sexual violence and vulnerability within the sector, including the new Ask for Angela campaign.

The one-hour training sessions will be held online on the following dates:
  • Wednesday 4 August from 10.30am
  • Wednesday 11 August from 1.30pm
  • Wednesday 18 August from 5.30pm
You can register by going to www.safersounds.org.uk/wave-august-events or you can email wave@saferbusiness.org.uk for more information.
Partner Search – Westminster Expert Panel and Support for Businesses in Crisis: Our Business Unit is calling for organisations to join an expert panel to provide specialist support and intervention to businesses in crisis as a result of the pandemic. This forms part of the Building Business Resilience Programme in our economy recovery agenda.

We are inviting organisations from inside and outside Westminster to work with us to ensure that businesses in Westminster can receive the highest quality of support and assistance needed to survive and thrive in a post-COVID economy.

Please complete this short form to register your expression of interest and receive a supplier information pack. For further details, please contact the Westminster Business Unit by email or by phone on 020 7641 2070.
Donate a Bike to Westminster Wheels: Westminster Wheels, a council-sponsored training programme for young residents not in education or employment, is transforming unwanted bicycles into high-quality, affordable versions for Westminster residents. The project has been delivered in partnership with Groundwork and Cycle Confident and has so far helped 17 young residents develop the skills to become full-time bike mechanics.

If you or your staff have old or unwanted bicycles, please support the scheme by donating them either at the shop at 41-45 Church Street, or by following this link. We can arrange for the collection of multiple bicycles.
Support for Your Business
BAME tech employees working at a computer
Getting Your Business Digital ready: Are you looking to recruit new digital talent for your business? Our Adult Education and Employment Services will be hosting an event for businesses that want to find out more about these opportunities. To register your interest, please email Joseph Ikusika at jikusika@westminster.gov.uk.
Grants Available for Tech and Creative Firms: Funding support is also currently available to help technology and creative businesses through the provision of apprenticeships and training and employment opportunities. The fund closes to applications on 5 August at 5pm. Find out more and apply today.
BAME small business owner working in their shop
Financial Support for Ethnically Diverse Owned Businesses: The Back2Business Grant Programme is awarding £10,000 to small businesses with ethnically diverse ownership that have been impacted by COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. The aim of the programme is to help stabilise and grow businesses through a mixture of consulting services and financial support. Find out more and apply today.
Virtual Event – Apprenticeships in Hospitality: The South Westminster Business Improvement Districts, in partnership with Westminster City Council, are hosting a virtual information session for Westminster hospitality businesses focused on apprenticeships within sector.
London Business Hub Property Advice Service Programme: Are you a small to medium-sized business in London looking for FREE advice on business rates, understanding your lease, landlord negotiations and finding commercial premises in these troubling times? The London Business Hub’s Property Advice Service is offering FREE masterclasses and one-to-one sessions on managing your commercial space.
For more information to advise and support your business, Westminster City Council, the UK Government and the community can help:
Whilst we are dealing with a greater volume of queries than usual, if you need bespoke advice, don’t hesitate to contact our Business Unit to get appropriate help.
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