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Dear Haringey Business Owner,
Welcome to Haringey Council's Business Bulletin.
Our first edition of 2022 will focus on:
This bulletin is compiled by the council's Economic Development Team. Please do let us know if we can help you directly, or if we can lobby the government on your behalf to provide further support relevant to your businesses situation.
We hope that you find the bulletin useful and welcome your feedback - we have a dedicated business support team available at business@haringey.gov.uk
For enquiries regarding the latest COVID regulations, please email us at covid19concerns@haringey.gov.uk
For specific enquiries, please contact the relevant team:
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Omicron variant: latest on package of support
A £1bn package of support for businesses most affected by Omicron was announced on 21 December by the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak.
During his announcement, the Chancellor outlined that new support would include:
We are working through details of the announcement and what it means specifically for businesses in Haringey.
Detail of available grants and how they can be accessed will be communicated both on our business grants webpage and through a special edition of the business bulletin.
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Further funding available for arts, culture and heritage sectors
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, HM Treasury and Arts Council England have announced that emergency funding from the Culture Recovery Fund is being increased by £30 million to help more organisations through the winter.
Organisations will also be given more time to submit applications and additional immediate support will also be provided for creative freelancers impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak over the Christmas period.
The funding was announced as part of the Chancellor’s £1 billion support package and will help cultural organisations such as museums, cinemas, theatres and heritage organisations with the impact of the Omicron variant this winter.
The government is also extending the application window by a week until Tuesday 18 January, to give more organisations a chance to apply to the fund.
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COVID-19 - England to continue with Plan B
The Prime Minister gave a statement to Parliament on Wednesday 5 January confirming that the government will continue to stick with its Plan B, with a further review before the regulations expire on Wednesday 26 January.
Businesses are reminded of the current Plan B measures that are in place:
1. Face coverings - are mandatory for most indoor public venues including places of worship, theatres and cinemas. Face coverings will not be required in hospitality settings such as pubs or restaurants, nor in venues where it is not practical to wear them. See the full list of places where a face covering must be worn.
Businesses will be expected to display signs in their premises requiring their customers to wear face coverings unless they are exempt. To support, Haringey Council has designed a poster you can download and display (PDF, 202KB).
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2. Working from home - people are advised to work from home - if they can. See guidance for workplaces where it is not possible for people to work from home.
3. NHS COVID Pass - people over the age of 18 (unless exempt) are required to present either an NHS COVID Pass, or evidence of a negative lateral flow test taken in the last 48 hours, to enter the following venues:
- nightclubs
- indoor unseated venues with more than 500 people
- unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people
- any venue with more than 10,000 people
If you have a concern or wish to report an issue, you can contact the Environmental Health and Trading Standards Team via email: covid19concerns@haringey.gov.uk
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Working safely during COVID-19
As we move through the winter months, and with the evolving situation regarding the new Omicron variant, it is imperative that workplaces continue to be safe environments.
The government has updated the guidance on working safely during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The guidance for events and attractions as well as construction and other outdoor work; offices, factories and labs; restaurants, pubs, bars, nightclubs and takeaway services; and shops, branches, and close contact services has been updated with new information on self-isolation. Workers who have tested positive or have symptoms, can stop self-isolating after 7 days instead of 10 days, if they get 2 negative LFD test results taken 24 hours apart on day 6 and 7.
The guidance for hotels and guest accommodation has been updated to reflect England’s move to Plan B of the COVID-19 Autumn/Winter Plan, in response to the risks of the Omicron variant. This includes changes to the guidance on face coverings, working from home, testing and self-isolation. Information has also been added on COVID status checks, which are now legally required in some venues and events.
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BuyHaringey: new local commerce platform
As an extension of the Haringey Business Directory, Haringey Council has partnered with Bubltown, a technology provider, in order to create a new mobile application and associated website. This new platform will be exclusively for Haringey businesses.
Launching in Spring 2022, The BuyHaringey app will allow all Haringey businesses, no matter which industry they operate in, to create a profile and promote their offers directly to thousands of Haringey residents.
Furthermore, signing up to BuyHaringey is completely free.
As well as promoting offers, BuyHaringey will allow Haringey businesses to offer e-commerce services to their customers. The cost of using these features will be a fraction of similar platforms, at 3% + 10p for each transaction (compared to 20-40% with platforms such as Amazon, Groupon, Deliveroo, UberEats).
Signing up to BuyHaringey will allow businesses to:
- offer a click-and-collect service. Customers will be able to browse and reserve products for collection and confirm payment directly through the platform.
- provide instant delivery (within 30 mins) of your products, directly to residents’ doors.
Register now to reserve your space today and get a head start!
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Haringey Business Support Programme
The Haringey Business Support Programme offers free business advice and support services for Haringey businesses based in Tottenham, Wood Green, Turnpike Lane, and Green Lanes.
Hustle & Heels have been appointed to deliver the Haringey Business Support programme which will help business owners to recover from the adverse impact of the pandemic.
The programme will provide free one-to-one advice and mentoring from a range of business experts who will advise on and support in the following areas:
- launching and starting a new business
- developing robust business plans to secure finance
- sales and marketing including social media platforms
- finance and financial management
- Human Resources
- trading and doing business online, including support to adopt cashless sales operations
- advice and support to identify new customers
- advice and support to improve business customer service skills
- embedding formal management processes and systems
If you think you could benefit from the Haringey Business Support Programme, then find out more and register now via the button below.
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Evolve Haringey West - free support for your business
Do you run a business in Muswell Hill, Crouch End, Highgate, Hornsey, Stroud Green Road or Myddleton Road?
Would you like some free business advice and support tailored to your business needs?
If yes, then Evolve Haringey West could be the business support programme for you!
Delivered in partnership with Hustle & Heels, a business training and support consultancy, we can assist you with business and marketing plans and offer mentoring sessions, seminars and workshops all designed to help your business grow and be more resilient.
If you think you could benefit from Evolve Haringey West, then find out more and register now via the button below.
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Better Futures+ programme
Small and medium businesses wishing to reduce their carbon emissions can now sign up for free to the new Better Futures+ programme.
As part of the programme you will receive:
- 12-months access to Climate Essentials, an online carbon calculator
- peer learning sessions
- access to sector-specific workshops
- access to the zero carbon business leadership programme
- the ability to apply for half-day consultancy services
The programme is commissioned by the Mayor of London and funded by the Greater London Authority and London Business Hub.
More information is available on the Better Futures website, which contains a link to the pre-registration form.
You must pre-register by Sunday 16 January to get access to free support.
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HALS - New Year, new courses for business
Haringey Adult Learning Service (HALS) - Haringey’s lifelong learning service for people aged 19 and over - has developed an exciting new range of programmes (PDF, 188KB) to meet the changing needs of local businesses.
The courses, developed during the pandemic, include:
You can view all available courses and enrol at the dedicated HALS website or contact the team at hals@haringey.gov.uk for more information.
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Haringey Council Apprenticeship Levy - Financial support for businesses to recruit
Apprenticeships have been shown to benefit staff recruitment and retention for businesses, to attract a more diverse pool of candidates, and to have a positive impact on productivity and wider staff morale.
The council is aware of the challenges businesses may encounter when recruiting apprentices. To demonstrate our commitment in supporting the local business community within the borough, we are pledging 25% of our apprenticeship levy to local businesses - especially those in growth sectors that appear in the council's Employment and Skills Recovery plan (PDF, 3MB):
- Health and Social Care (including nurseries and pre-schools)
- Green Skills
- Creative Skills
- Built Environment (Construction)
- STEM (Science and Technology, Engineering and Maths)
To deliver support for businesses, the council has partnered with London Progression Collaboration who will administer the funds and provide practical advice and guidance in creating new apprenticeships.
Levy funds can be used to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment for existing staff or new staff.
Ever thought about the benefits that employing an apprentice can bring to your business?
If so, and you would like to find out more, then email Rob Singh at the London Progression Collaboration.
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Self Assessment: deadline effectively extended
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is waiving late filing and late payment penalties for Self Assessment taxpayers for one month – giving people extra time, if needed, to complete the 2020 to 2021 tax return and pay any tax due.
HMRC recognises the pressure faced this year with COVID-19 affecting the capacity of some taxpayers to meet their obligations in time for the 31 January deadline.
Whilst the deadline to file and pay remains 31 January 2022, the penalty waivers will mean that:
- anyone who cannot file their return by the 31 January deadline will not receive a late filing penalty if they file online by 28 February
- anyone who cannot pay their Self Assessment tax by the 31 January deadline will not receive a late payment penalty if they pay their tax in full, or set up a Time to Pay arrangement, by 1 April
Interest will be payable from 1 February, as usual, so it is still better to pay on time if possible.
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Policing and Crime Plan 2021-2025
The Mayor of London must draft, consult on and issue a Police and Crime Plan within the financial year in which they are elected.
Consultation on a new draft Police and Crime Plan is now underway.
The draft plan sets out the Mayor’s priorities for 2021-2025 and how he will oversee the performance of the Metropolitan Police Service; agree London’s annual policing budget; fund crime prevention work and commission services to support victims of crime.
The key priorities contained within the draft plan set out to:
- reduce and prevent violence
- increase trust and confidence
- better support victims
- protect people from exploitation and harm
The consultation process is open until Friday 21 January. You can have your say on the plan and on your policing and crime priorities on the Talk London website.
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New year, new markets: practical support on international trade
There are many hurdles awaiting businesses trading overseas in 2022, ranging from new EU-UK customs checks, ongoing supply chain issues and rising costs, to challenges accessing export finance, negotiating currency fluctuations and more. This is why accessing the right support is so important.
Find out how international trade can boost your business, learn how to navigate the challenges on the road ahead, benefit from key advice and guidance and make the most of overseas opportunities in 2022 and beyond through this free online event delivered by the Federation of Small Businesses.
When: Monday 17 January
Time: 11am - 12.30pm
Where: Online
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Start-up 2022
StartUp 2022 is an absolute must for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs.
It's your chance to not only discover everything you need to know about starting and growing a business, but to connect you with advisers and experts who can help take your enterprise to the next level.
Whether you want to be your own boss, have a business idea or simply want to improve your entrepreneurial skills, this is the event for you.
When: Friday 21 January
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Where: Online
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Build a Brand and Grow Your Business
This free online event from the Small Business Research + Enterprise Centre will explore how to build and use your brand to drive your business forward.
The workshop will cover:
- brand logo and identity.
- how others see your business.
- brand names.
- brand values.
- brand personality.
- positioning your brand.
When: Wednesday 26 January
Time: 11am - 12pm
Where: Online
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And finally...
Please get in touch if you have any further questions, if you are experiencing difficulties and need to reach out, or if you would like to know about wider business support that is on offer.
You can email our Business Support Team at business@haringey.gov.uk
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