|
|
|
|
|
Dear Haringey Business Owner,
Welcome to Haringey Council's Business Bulletin.
This edition 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 specific enquiries, please contact the relevant team:
|
|
COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF)
The government launched the COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) to support businesses affected by the pandemic who are not eligible for existing support linked to business rates.
This is a discretionary relief scheme and is available to reduce the eligible business rates liability for 2021/22 year only.
Eligibility criteria includes:
- the business must have been trading from 1 April 2021
- the business is not entitled to or has already received a reduction against their business rates liability for the 2021/22 billing year
- the business must have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic during 2021/22 and was unable to adapt to the changing environment
- premises must have been occupied and trading for the period. Businesses that were closed temporarily due to government instructions on COVID-19, will be treated as occupied for the purposes of this relief
- the business must be solvent
The deadline for making an application for CARF has been extended to 30 April 2022.
|
|
COVID-19 response: Living with COVID - guidance for businesses and employers
The government’s objective in the next phase of the COVID-19 response is to enable the country to manage COVID-19 like other respiratory illnesses, while minimising mortality and retaining the ability to respond if a new variant emerges, or during periods of waning immunity, that could again threaten to place the NHS under unsustainable pressure.
The government has lifted the majority of legal requirements on businesses and continues to provide ‘Working Safely’ guidance, setting out the steps that employers can take to reduce risk in their workplaces.
From 24 March, the COVID-19 provisions within Statutory Sick Pay and Employment and Support Allowance regulations will end. People with COVID-19 may still be eligible, subject to the normal conditions of entitlement.
|
|
|
From 1 April, the government will:
- remove the current guidance on voluntary COVID-status certification in domestic settings and no longer recommend that certain venues use the NHS COVID Pass.
- update guidance setting out the ongoing steps that people with COVID-19 should take to minimise contact with other people. This will align with the changes to testing.
- no longer provide free universal symptomatic and asymptomatic testing for the general public in England.
- consolidate guidance to the public and businesses, in line with public health advice.
- remove the health and safety requirement for every employer to explicitly consider COVID-19 in their risk assessments.
- replace the existing set of ‘Working Safely’ guidance with new public health guidance.
Employers should continue to consider the needs of employees at greater risk from COVID-19, including those whose immune system means they are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19.
The government will continue to promote and support good ventilation. Employers and businesses should continue identifying poorly ventilated spaces and take steps to improve fresh air flow.
|
|
BuyHaringey
 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 app will be exclusively for Haringey businesses.
The app will allow businesses to:
- grow their online sales
- promote their products or services to new audiences
- confirm payments directly through the platform
- offer a click-and-collect service
- provide faster deliveries
- pay reduced fees in comparison to other delivery apps
If you are interested in any of the key benefits, you can find out more via our BuyHaringey webpage or register your business for FREE below.
|
|
Haringey Cost Savings Programme
The Haringey Cost Savings Programme (HCSP) is a new service that offers free cost savings advice and support for small businesses based across Haringey.
The programme is funded as part of the council's Good Economy Recovery Plan and High Street Recovery Action Plan (PDF, 1MB). It will support businesses to identify and realise savings when considering new contracts and choosing suppliers.
|
|
|
In 2021, a pilot scheme was delivered in Tottenham, with partners Place Support Partnership (PSP), to save businesses money on utility costs, insurance and pest control. The pilot was able to save 32 businesses over £85,000 with their outgoings. The average saving per quote generated £1,267.50 for each business.
For 2022, we have brought PSP back to help you save even more, against the backdrop of ever rising energy costs.
PSP will provide advice and guidance on:
- Gas
- Electricity
- Water
- Merchant Fees (this is the cost of your credit/debit card machine)
- Insurances
- Pest Control
If you think your business could benefit from the Haringey Cost Savings Programme, register your interest below.
|
|
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.
The programme, delivered by business support consultancy Hustle & Heels, provides 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.
|
|
Evolve Haringey West
Do you run a high street business in the west of Haringey?
Are you interested learning about how to make the best use of social media for your business, how to increase sales, improve your marketing skills and attract new customers while connecting with other local businesses?
If yes, then sign up for these free networking events taking place online in April.
The Evolve Haringey West networking events are a great opportunity to get the advice you need to improve your business on the go. Delivered in partnership with Hustle & Heels, these events are part of the Evolve Haringey West business support programme.
The programme is designed to assist you with business and marketing plans and offers mentoring sessions, seminars, and workshops, all designed to help your business grow and be more resilient. Register your business to receive support.
|
|
Haringey Adult Learning Service (HALS)
Haringey Adult Learning Service (HALS) - Haringey’s lifelong learning service for people aged 19 and over - has developed an exciting range of programmes to meet the changing needs of local businesses, the self-employed and freelancers of Haringey.
You can now enrol in courses commencing in April, which include a wealth of content to develop your digital skills and evolve your online business presence; accounting and bookkeeping courses which provide a route to AAT qualifications; maths courses for those wanting to brush up on their skills, whilst short online qualifications are available in infection control to support those to operate in healthy and safe business environments.
|
|
|
The newest course offering, Leadership for Women, commences on Monday 25 April.
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.
|
|
NetZero Haringey 2041
Last March, Haringey's Cabinet voted unanimously to adopt the Haringey Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) which sets out the roadmap for how Haringey will become a net zero-carbon borough by 2041.
The 2041 vision is for a Haringey that is healthy and sustainable, with walking or cycling to local amenities and taking the long-distance trains for holidays being the norm. Roads will have been repurposed to give way to street-side planting, play areas, dedicated charging areas for electric vehicles, with safe space to get to your destination by using any non-motorised set of wheels or by foot.
To meet the target for Haringey to be net-zero carbon by 2041, we all need to play our part. Haringey Council is currently examining ways to support and grow the local green economy. So how can businesses get involved?
The council is encouraging businesses involved in the green sector, or who are looking to decarbonise their operations, to contact business@haringey.gov.uk to help shape current needs and potential policies to support businesses and increase employment in the borough.
|
|
Next Generation - access to start-up training
Access a free e-learning hub to begin your entrepreneurial journey and be in with the chance of winning £2,000 cash to spend on your start-up.
Created in partnership with Enterprise Nation, the Next Generation programme is part of the UK’s Community Renewal Fund. It aims to give thousands of young people in London aged 18 to 24 the support to start a business.
Sign up to the free education hub to start learning, access free training, events, access to advisers, peer groups, and be in with the chance of winning £2,000 to spend on your start-up.
Applications close on Thursday 31 March.
|
|
Start Up Step Up London
Do you have a business idea that you would like to pursue to become self-employed? Or are you a London-based business looking to upskill key staff?
The Start Up Step Up London programme, delivered by Capital City College Training, is a carefully structured programme which will help provide you with the tools to bring your business to life.
The programme will provide a wealth of workshops and training sessions that will support with:
- bringing your business idea to life
- developing your business plan
- branding, marketing and sales
- enhancing digital skills
- managing your finances
Register for the online webinar information session on Monday 25 April to find out more about the programme and enrol.
|
|
Emergency First Aid at Work
As part of the Haringey High Street Recovery Action Plan (PDF, 1MB), the council is committed to identifying new opportunities for businesses to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic better, stronger, and greener.
We are therefore pleased to announce the delivery of a new FREE training course - Emergency First Aid at Work - for business owners and their employees.
The course will be delivered by First Response Ltd on Thursday 31 March between 9.30am - 4.30pm.
Candidates successfully completing this course will be entitled to act as a first aider in the workplace. This is a basic understanding of how to deliver first aid taking into account recent COVID-19 working practices and the changes with mouth-to-mouth contact, with successful participants gaining a certificate at the end of the course.
To book, please email business@haringey.gov.uk, stating the number of attendees that you would like to send, along with your business name, address, and contact details. We will then contact you to confirm your booking.
|
|
Business Planning
 Join this short course of 4 webinars from Small Business Research + Enterprise Centre, which will look at key aspects of a business plan to help you define your goals and set out what you want your business to achieve.
Each session will focus on a major aspect of your business plan and guide you through what you need to consider and how to go about it.
The course will cover:
- getting started – your aims, vision and business purpose
- sales, marketing and operational practices
- managing finances and start-up costs
- managing outside impacts and business risks
The 4 webinars take place on:
- Tuesday 29 March
- Thursday 31 March
- Tuesday 5 April
- Thursday 7 April
All sessions are one hour in duration, between 12 noon and 1pm. You will be registered for all sessions by registering for one.
|
|
The New UK Regime for Goods: Understanding Marking and Labelling
Great Britain now has its own robust regulatory framework for goods, and manufacturers need to start using the UKCA marking. The UKCA regime seeks to ensure consumers are protected from unsafe, and non-compliant goods.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will deliver a number of webinars to support businesses to get ready for the new regime as soon as possible and to ensure compliance by 1 January 2023.
This session will cover the general rules on how to correctly label your product for the GB market under the new regulatory regime. This will include use of the UKCA marking and importer labelling responsibilities as well as easements in place to support building the UKCA marking into the manufacturing process.
This event is for businesses who have a role or involvement in the manufacturing or supply of CE/UKCA marked goods onto the GB market and for trade associations and organisations representing sectors which require the CE/UKCA marking.
When: Thursday 31 March
Time: 11am - 11.40am
Where: Online
|
|
Making Tax Digital
 Making Tax Digital for VAT is part of the overall digitalisation of UK Tax. All VAT-registered businesses, regardless of turnover, should sign up now to ensure they are ready in time for the April 2022 deadline.
This webinar will provide some of the basics of Making Tax Digital for VAT. This will include what’s changing, using software and keeping digital records, plus an introduction to penalty reform.
When: Tuesday 4 April
Time: 11.45am - 12.45pm
Where: Online
|
|
Commercial Spaces: Understanding your Lease, Rent Negotiation & Business Rates
 Renting a property can be an expensive and complex part of running a business. That is why the London Business Hub has launched a new programme to help you find the right space and fully understand the costs associated with renting a property.
Entrepreneurs and business owners will have access to a series of free masterclasses on topics such as business rates and lease negotiations. The programme can also offer one-to-one support for your specific circumstances from expert property consultants Gerald Eve and other property professionals.
The masterclasses will cover a range of topics of being a commercial tenant, including:
- advice on how to navigate rent negotiations with your landlord
- handling talks with your Local Authority on issues such as a change in planning use class and business rates
- how to use arbitration services to break an impasse in rent negotiations with your landlord
- advice on how to negotiate an exit from a current lease/licence commitment
When: Tuesday 5 April
Time: 10.30am - 12.30pm
Where: Online
|
|
HR workshop
As part of the social value offer from the Gourley Triangle project, the architecture practice Haworth Tompkins is offering free workshops aimed at helping local small businesses and start-ups to build up expertise around different topics related to running a business.
The latest workshop, on human resources, will cover the 6 stages in an employee’s career from recruitment to resignation, termination or retirement. There will be an opportunity to engage with other local businesses in your area and a Q&A.
When: Tuesday 26 April
Time: 11am - 12pm
Where: Online (use code HTHuman22 to sign up)
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
