Al Fresco Remains in St John’s High Street and Covent Garden: Following a month-long consultation, residents and businesses have shown overwhelming support to continue al fresco dining in Covent Garden and St John’s Wood, with more than 80% of respondents voting in favour of permanent al fresco measures remaining beyond 30 September. Support for the measures in St John’s Wood High Street means the current one-way system and pavement widening with barriers will remain in place until permanent solutions are delivered. Any permanent solution will be subject to a full consultation.
In Covent Garden, two consultations took place. The first confirmed that people and businesses in the local area would like al fresco dining to continue on Henrietta Street, King Street, Maiden Lane and parts of Southampton Street. The second was on the Neighbourhood Traffic Management Scheme (NTMS) looking at traffic movements across the whole area and into Camden and proposes timed closures. Businesses in Covent Garden can reapply for a pavement licence but the implementation of the NTMS is subject to formal decision by both Westminster and Camden councils.
If you are a hospitality business providing al fresco dining in either area, please reapply for your pavement licence so that you can continue to do so after 30 September. To ensure a valid licence by 1 October, please apply by Friday 17 September.
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Sustainability Pop-up Store Launches on Regent Street: Along with The Crown Estate and New West End Company (NWEC), we have launched The Regent Street Edit, a pop-up store at 88 Regent Street, showcasing six local brands and championing sustainability. Visitors to the store can interact with the brand’s founders and learn about the sustainability practices underpinning their products. The store itself has also been produced with sustainability in mind with materials such as recycled bottles and recycled wood particles widely used throughout. By using space in a different way, it is hoped that the project will educate consumers about sustainability and attract visitors back to the area.
Cllr Matthew Green, Cabinet Member for Planning, Business and Licensing, says: “The Regent Street Edit supports two of our key objectives: attracting footfall back to the West End and championing sustainability. It also allows us to invest in budding entrepreneurs by giving them the opportunity to grow their businesses on one of the world’s greatest shopping streets. This is the seventh pop-up we have supported in the West End and I’m confident it will attract residents and visitors alike to enjoy an immersive and intimate shopping experience.” The store will be open until 27 October.
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Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) Scheme – Round 3: Following the receipt of a third tranche of funding from central government, we are announcing a third round of grants to businesses that were severely impacted by the four-week extension to lockdown from the period of 21 June to 19 July 2021. Businesses need not contact us as we expect the majority will automatically be identified through our internal systems. A maximum funding pot of £4m will be distributed to the following eligible ratepayer business categories:
- Nightclubs (including sexual entertainment venues)
- GLA-registered grass roots music venues
- Travel and tourism sectors (excluding souvenir shops)
- Wedding industries
- Theatres
- English language schools
- Breweries
Businesses will need to be able to demonstrate that their premises are wholly or mainly used for one of the purposes listed above. There are three levels of grant award based on the following Rateable Values:
- rateable value: £500,000 or more – proposed grant: £40,000
- rateable value: £200,000 to £499,999 – proposed grant: £30,000
- rateable value: up to £199,999 – proposed grant: £20,000
If you believe your business to be eligible and you don’t hear from us within the next week, please contact the Westminster Business Unit via email.
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COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses: Although most restrictions have now been lifted, COVID-19 hasn’t gone away. The Government’s ‘Working Safely’ guidance provides advice on sensible precautions employers can take to manage risk, including providing staff with necessary time off to self-isolate, and how to keep your premises clean.
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COVID-19 Autumn and Winter Response: The Prime Minister has published the Government’s plan in case COVID-19 infection rates rise during the autumn and winter months. For businesses, the plan will mean:
- Those who test positive for COVID-19 must continue to quarantine by law for ten days. The same applies to over-18s who are not double-vaccinated and come into contact with a positive case.
- Everyone is encouraged to access free rapid lateral flow tests.
- Restrictions on travel still apply.
- Ventilation and hand hygiene remains vital and face coverings should be worn in crowded spaces and on public transport.
Further measures may be introduced if required to prevent unsustainable pressure on the NHS. Read the full guidance for businesses on the GOV.UK website.
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Join our Westminster Expert Panel and Support for Businesses in Crisis: We are inviting organisations from inside and outside Westminster to join an expert panel providing specialist support and intervention to businesses in crisis as a result of the pandemic. 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.
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Nuisance from Vehicles Consultation: We are consulting on creating a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to address continued anti-social behaviour, nuisance or danger by motor vehicles to the public and property in both the St James’s and the Knightsbridge & Belgravia wards. PSPOs deal with persistent anti-social behaviour that is detrimental to quality of life. Have your say on the consultation until 29 September.
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Statement on Oxford Street: On Tuesday 14 September, Councillor Matthew Green gave an update on Westminster City Council’s plans for improvements to Oxford Street and the surrounding district. Cllr Green explained that the Council remains “committed to supporting the future success of the nation’s favourite high street and its surrounding neighbourhoods” and that the Council is “clear that all improvements must benefit our residents as well as businesses and visitors”. The Council will therefore move forward with a focus on permanent schemes and on consulting and engaging openly and fully with local groups. The temporary piazzas previously planned to open at Oxford Circus later this year will not go ahead. Read Councillor Green’s statement in full here.
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Lightfield at the Mound Encouraging Footfall in the West End: W1 Curates and artist Anthony James’ light exhibition inside the Marble Arch Mound has now opened to the public and is encouraging visitors to return to the wider Oxford Street area. Since it opened, the Mound has seen more than 90,000 people enjoy the views and, as Cllr Matthew Green (featured in this video taken at the site of the exhibition), says, it is “drawing in crowds and supporting the recovery in this part of London, which is what we’ve always wanted and the reason we built the Mound.”
Mark Dale, Founder of W1 Curates, says: “Now more than ever public art projects occupy an important place in the society. They provide opportunity for all to discover and enjoy art, they also encourage much needed footfall back to London.” Read more about the exhibition and how we’re encouraging visitors back to the West End here.
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Support for Your Business
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Be Part of the re/Start Programme: Amazon Web Services re/Start, Westminster Employment Service and Westminster Adult Education Service are working together to build an inclusive and diverse global pipeline of new fully-trained cloud computing professionals. We’re focusing on helping unemployed and underemployed individuals to launch entry-level careers into this fast-moving and important area of technology.
As a potential employer, you can get involved by observing classes, speaking to groups, meeting with potential candidates, and participating in local events. Doing so enhances your ability to build a future pool of in-demand cloud computing talent (especially for employers already using Amazon Web Services), reduces recruitment costs for talents within these sectors and can help resolve your business recruitment needs. Get in touch with Joseph Ikusika for more details.
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Funding Opportunities for Businesses: There are several funding and support opportunities currently available to businesses in Westminster, including:
- London Fund for Racialised Communities: Funding is for projects that address the COVID-19 related health and wellbeing needs of individuals and communities experiencing racial inequality. Projects may be of any length up to ten months, to start on or after 1 December 2021, with all funds required to be spent no later than 30 November 2022. Click here for full details.
- Instagram Small Business Mentorship Programme: Business owners will be chosen to win mentoring, access to content creation workshops, marketing and gain £1,000 worth of Instagram ad credits to help grow their small business. Get full details here.
- Audience of the Future – Design Foundations 2 Competition: Businesses can apply for a share of up to £800,000 for early-stage, human-centred design projects in creative or immersive experiences. Get full details on how to enter.
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Develop Vital Business Skills: Since 1838, the University of Westminster has trained workers from every sector to improve their skills and boost productivity – training that delivers results. Today offer local businesses a wide range of courses, such as Introduction to Planning and Language tuition, and will work with you to develop training programmes to meet your business’ needs.
- Experienced lecturers with real-industry experience
- Professionally accredited courses including Project Management, ACCA Accounting and CILEx Law
- Excellent resources and facilities in central London with online courses via an advanced virtual learning platform
- Bespoke training programmes
For more information including a full list of courses, please visit the University of Westminster website or contact Moon Uddin, Business Development Manager.
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Free Business Consultancy Support – King’s College London: Would your business benefit from external consultancy that can help tackle challenges and achieve your goals? King’s College London Business School is offering local businesses free consultancy from ambitious and skilled students with fresh insights and contemporary perspectives. The consultants can assist on projects including HR planning, marketing and social media, financial and data analysis, strategy and business planning and more. The King’s Business School website contains more information. To apply, complete this Expression Of Interest form by 11.59pm on 19 September. Contact Liv Grosvenor, Deputy Student Experience Manager, at liv.grosvenor@kcl.ac.uk if you have questions.
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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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