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NEW Advice Lines for Self Employed & Small Businesses experiencing Challenges
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In light of most recent restrictions and the additional pressures our business community is now facing, Council are funding a new advice line for our self employed and small businesses to get the guidance they need to access the correct financial support.
Community Advice Causeway and Limavady Community Development Initiative (LCDI), in partnership with Causeway Coast and Glens Business Support, are here to help self-employed people and small businesses who are experiencing challenges during this difficult time.
We are aware that small businesses are amongst the hardest hit by Covid-related restrictions and guidance is needed to access the correct financial support, including welfare benefits and changing government initiatives. For this reason, Council is funding an advice line for self-employed and small businesses within our Borough. These lines provide free, confidential, and impartial advice on a wide range of subjects including:
- Benefits,
- Debt,
- Housing,
- Employment,
- Discrimination,
- Consumer,
- Immigration,
- Family and Relationship,
- Education,
- Health,
- Tax.
To arrange the advice that you need, contact one of the following without delay. Evening and weekend telephone appointments are available:
Community Advice Causeway
For Coleraine, Ballymoney and Moyle area
advice@advicecauseway.com
028 703 44817
Limavady Community Development Initiative (LCDI)
For Limavady area
advice@lcdi.co.uk
028 777 65438
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New Restrictions and Closures
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To reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Northern Ireland Executive has introduced measures which place restrictions on how businesses operate and we are disappointed that some must close to customers on-site.
Tightened restrictions are in force until Friday 13 November. For details of full restrictions CLICK HERE.
All business and venues that are in operation should follow guidelines on working safely.
Guidance from Tourism NI on what the restrictions mean for you can be found HERE.
CLICK HERE for The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 9) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 that came into effect on Friday 16th Oct. Also CLICK HERE for a further amendment to these regulations, The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 10) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020.
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3 Point Plan Proposed to Protect Lives and Livelihoods
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Causeway Chamber has joined 22 business organisations, trade bodies and chambers of commerce from across Northern Ireland to propose a 3 Point Plan to Protect Lives and Livelihoods, focusing on better communication, compliance and compensation, to end the unsustainable policy of repeated lockdowns. CLICK HERE for details.
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CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT
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Localised Restriction Support Scheme
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The Localised Restrictions Support Scheme provides financial support to businesses which have been required to close or have had business activities at their premises directly curtailed by health protection restrictions that have been put in place by the NI Executive. CLICK HERE for details and to apply.
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COVID-19 Business & Financial Planning Support Programme for Tourism Industry
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This scheme is now open and will provide advisory support to tourism businesses to develop their recovery plans including:
- a health check and financial plan
- review of business model
- identify funding shortfalls and/or debt restructuring
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New guidance is available on the Job Retention Bonus, a one-off payment to businesses that retain previously furloughed staff until the end of January 2021. CLICK HERE.
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Small Business Support Grants
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This portal will be available until 31 October. It will allow you to search for grants, special loans and awards for which your business or start-up may be eligible.
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Causeway Cluster Coffee & Chat
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The Causeway Cluster will be holding their next Coffee & Chat event this Thursday, 22nd October @ 10.30am. The theme will be:
Collaboration opportunities with the Mourne Tourism Cluster.
This will be an excellent opportunity for the Clusters to share experiences and identify any ‘common themes’ between the two regions, to encourage more visitors to stay longer and spend more money in a number of areas during their visit.
If you would like to join this meeting please E Kelli@ceal.co.uk for Zoom link.
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Halloween goes Virtual
Council's events team are producing 10 days of virtual Halloween activities including spooky story-telling, wicked walks, crafty arts and foodie haunts from 24th October to 2nd November.
Full details to follow on Causeway Coast & Glens Events Facebook or see visitcausewaycoastandglens.com
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Tourism NI TED Webinars
To register for any of TNI's upcoming TED Webinars listed below please CLICK HERE.
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Webinar Topic
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Date(s)
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Introduction to Financial Planning/Models
for Micro/Small Tourism Businesses
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Tuesday 20th October
14:00 – 15:30
Thursday 22nd October
10:00 – 11:30
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Introduction to Financial Planning/Models
for Medium/Large Tourism Businesses
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Thursday 22nd October
14:00 – 15:30
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Setting Key Performance Indicators – Business Planning
for Micro/Small Tourism Businesses
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Tuesday 27th October
10:00 – 11:30
Tuesday 27th October
14:00 – 15:30
Thursday 29th October
10:00 – 11:30
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Setting Key Performance Indicators – Business Planning
for Medium//Large Tourism Businesses
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Thursday 29th October
14:00 – 15:30
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HMRC Webinars
Register HERE for webinars from HMRC including:
- Extensions to Job Retention Scheme and flexible furloughing
- Self-Employment Income Support Scheme - claiming the second grant
- Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Rebate Scheme
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FREE Online Programmes at NRC
Northern Regional College are offering a series of free online courses. CLICK HERE for info.
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Food Hygiene, Allergen, COVID-19 and other online health & safety training
CLICK HERE
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Food Allergy and Intolerance Training
The Food Standards Agency has updated its food allergy and intolerance training. The training will help you understand what you can do to protect those with a food allergy and get your business compliant with the latest regulations. CLICK HERE. |
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Consultation on the amendment of the food hygiene rating regulations in NI
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The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has opened a consultation to seek comments on the proposed Food Hygiene Rating Act (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020. CLICK HERE.
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Tourism NI and SITE Ireland Partner to Support Tourism Trade
Tourism NI and The Society of Incentive Travel Excellence Ireland (SITE) have announced a partnership for 2020. The first initiative of this partnership is the Certified Incentive Specialist (CIS) qualification.
The CIS qualification is the first iteration of a programme of activity designed to further educate the Northern Ireland tourism industry and provide them with networking and destination awareness opportunities. This qualification will also help equip tourism businesses in Northern Ireland with the knowledge they need to deliver motivational travel experiences for future incentive clients. For more info CLICK HERE. |
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Consumer Sentiment Survey - September
Tourism NI’s latest Consumer Sentiment Survey for September 2020 gives in depth analysis on consumer confidence, propensity to travel and consumer concerns. CLICK HERE.
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Quick Guide for Employers
COVID-19 in a Business Setting from the HSC CLICK HERE.
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Apply Here for Business Support & Mentoring
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Need help to plan restarting your business?
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Alchemy programme is offering a package of support which can be tailored specifically for your tourism and hospitality business, with recovery mentoring (up to 3 days). CLICK HERE to fll in the short form.
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Could your business benefit from Digital Support Marketing?
The Digital Causeway Programme will support 350 businesses located within the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area to embrace digital technology and incorporate digital platforms into their business operations and procedures. CLICK HERE for details and to apply.
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