We hope you are staying well. Do get in touch if you have questions, comments or ideas about any of the items in this newsletter, or anything else to do with the Earls Court Business Forum.
New lockdown, new government support
As you will already know, the Prime Minister announced plans for a four-week lockdown in England from tomorrow, Thursday 5th November, to help slow the spread of COVID-19. See the detailed restrictions here.
Previously announced grant support schemes for areas subject to local restrictions will now temporarily be superceded by a national approach. Here is a summary of the business support available:
Business Grants: Business premises forced to close in England due to national restrictions will be eligible for additional grants on a varying scale dependant on Rateable Value. RBKC is awaiting full guidance from the government and will update their COVID-19 webpages as information is available. We will keep you updated
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Also known as the furlough scheme this has been extended throughout November. This scheme covers 80% of workers' salaries for hours not worked. Employers or employees do not have to have previously used the scheme to use it during the extension. The previously announced Job Support Scheme will not be introduced until after the Job Retention Scheme ends. Check here to see if you can claim, which employees you can claim for and how to make your claim
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Grant Extension: The grant is being extended from 1 November 2020. Read more here
We have unfortunately received reports of a handful or break-ins to business premises in the area over the last few weeks. Times of limited opening hours or full lockdowns can offer opportunities to criminals. During this time it's important that businesses keep an extra-vigilant eye for suspicious activity in the area.
The Earls Court Food Festival is well underway, with people tucking into special dishes from Earls Court businesses whilst enjoying the Earls Court Film Festival.
A new lockdown has been announced but businesses are still able to serve takeaways, and people can still watch the Film Festival from home on You Tube.
So, if you want help marketing a special takeaway dish then get in touch to join the last two weeks of the Earls Court Food Festival promotion, running until 16th November.
This grant fund will reopen for another round of funding on the following dates:
- 10th November, 10am - for businesses relying mainly on the Visitor Economy
- 17th November, 10am - all other businesses
The applications will be open for a 24 hour period. You should make sure to complete your applications in advance and submit them on the correct day.
The grants are open to SMEs applying for between £1,000 and £5,000 for new technology and other minor equipment to address their immediate needs in response to the impact of COVID-19, and/or help accessing professional, legal, financial or other advice.
More information about eligibility and how to apply is on the London Business Hub website.
Run by the RBKC Supply Chain Webinar in association with CrosseHR and open to all, this is an interactive webinar covering all aspects of HR/Personnel/People issues that you may have as a small business. This includes the legal stuff but also advice on how to deal with the practicalities of different personnel scenarios and avoid cases being taken to employment tribunals.
REMINDER - The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.
The Government has launched the £2 billion Kickstart scheme designed to fund the creation of jobs for young people on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment
To support employers in recruiting young people, the Government will cover the national minimum wage costs for six months, plus the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic pension enrolment contributions. A £1,500 grant will also be available for each job placement to provide support and training, as well as helping pay for uniforms and other setup costs.
Employers with 30 or more positions can apply directly, but if you want to employ fewer than 30 people you need to be part of a joint application. RBKC are coordinating a joint application for small businesses in the borough...
