High Peak Borough Council Business News February 2021

Latest news to help you grow and prosper in the High Peak

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Hardship Grant set to launch to help even more local businesses

The Council will this week launch a hardship grant for businesses impacted by Covid-19 using the discretion awarded to us under the Additional Restrictions Grant. It's aimed primarily at firms that were not eligible for help from the mandatory and discretionary schemes although, under theme four, applications will be considered from larger businesses who may have already had some grant funding

This one-off grant cover the period from 4 November 2020 to 31 March 2021 and is grouped into four themes:

Grant for licenced local taxi drivers who are also resident in High Peak and who have NOT had discretionary grants since November.
Grant for home based businesses including those in the arts, cultural and events sectors and self-employed tradespeople who are based in the Borough AND have had a significant fall in income due to Covid AND have on-going business overheads e.g. insurance, licences etc.
Grant for essential traders who have a permanent shop or market lease agreement AND who have experienced a significant drop in income due to lower footfall. This grant is NOT open to anyone who has received a mandatory or discretionary grant since November 2020.
Grant for exceptional circumstances for SME businesses who are liable for business rates AND who are at significant risk of failure due to Covid AND closure will involve making ten or more people redundant. Businesses from any sector can apply but will need to provide evidence of pre-Covid trading, impact and details of other funding received.

Due to national criteria there are a small number of businesses who are NOT eligible including those: that ceased trading before 4 November or are in administration now; in the financial services sector; in the property services sector including lettings and home-owners who let properties under the 'rent a room tax allowance' and via Air B&B; and businesses that have already received grant payments that equal the maximum levels of State Aid permitted.

PLEASE NOTE: If you claim this grant and it becomes clear at a later date you were NOT eligible or declared false information you will be liable to repay the grant in full. The Council will take further action to recover the grant if necessary. Priority will be given to hospitality, Leisure and accommodation sector and suppliers and the Council reserves the right to close the Hardship Grant scheme at any point depending on the number of application received and funds available for allocation.

The application form will be available via our website later this week so check regularly or e-mail regeneration@highpeak.gov.uk and ask to be put on notification list.

Help set priorities for Buxton

The Government has awarded Buxton an 'in principle' £6.6 million of Future High Street funding which, combined with the Council's own resources, could be used to diversify lower Buxton around the The Springs - to help create jobs, support business growth and help create new footfall so that shops thrive and new ones are attracted to the town.

The project includes the introduction of a multi-storey car park behind The Springs and re-use of the car parking for new housing, leisure and community facilities. The grant is for elements of the project that would not be fundable on a commercial basis.

However, the award of £6.6 million is £3 million less than our original bid so we are looking to reduce or eliminate some of the elements. We are therefore looking for as many views as possible and are asking businesses to complete this online survey by noon on Monday 15 February.

See full background details of the project including maps.

High Peak Borough Council's new 2021 guide to running a business from home

National Apprenticeship Week 8 - 14 February

During these difficult times, this week will provide a virtual platform for everybody to come together, celebrate apprenticeship successes and say thank you to everyone who makes them possible.

Employers wanting to offer apprenticeships will qualify for financial help to take on apprentices as well as accessing training to support the role:

Job seekers can:

find out how to get the skills and training to make an impact in a business by visiting @apprenticeships on Twitter
view existing vacancies
contact Buxton and Leek College

ShopAppy - join the digital high street

ShopAppy.com is a website which allows shops, cafes, restaurants and other local businesses to display their goods and services for online purchasing - all displayed together in single town pages so customers can buy from their favourite places in one transaction.

Find out more here.

Coronavirus support is available for employers and the self-employed. You may be eligible for loans, tax relief and cash grants. Use the Government's support finder to see what support if available to you.

D2N2 Business Investment Fund
Grants of £3,500 to £20,000 to help businesses fund projects that will improve productivity and efficiency or create jobs including digital developments, specialist consultancy and equipment purchases.

Apprentice Incentive Payment
Payments for every new apprentice who starts their contract between 1 August 2020 and 31 January 2021 - £2,000 for apprentices aged 16-24 and £1,500 for those aged 25 and over.

Grants and support for the Visitor Economy
Business support and small business grants of between £1k and £10k are now available to boost the visitor economy and it's supply chain in the following areas: accessibility; internationalisation; environmental; cycling. Available until March 2022

Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme
Up to £7,000 per small to medium sized business and £3,000 per household to help with the cost of installing a new fast, reliable connection.

Check our website for information about other available funding.

The National Careers Service (NCA) and local High Peak Jobcentres can help local businesses & employees.

NCA provides free impartial information, advice and guidance & support with job search, skills analysis, labour market information and career planning
NCA local adviser
Mobile: 07967 391263

Buxton & Glossop Jobcentres
can guide the employer through the process on making redundancies and can set up virtual meetings with employees to provide information on benefits, which is extremely useful as the majority of employees who may have never been in this situation before. Contact:
Buxton Jobcentre Tel:01298 306929

There is also a
Triage Service which matches those recently made redundant with new opportunities.

Tackling climate change remains as important now as it was before the pandemic.

Funding is available to help businesses develop green technologies and reduce carbon emissions including the Clean Growth Fund, DE-Carbonise and Energy for Business schemes.

And if you're considering looking at electric vehicles, the Government's Workplace Charging Scheme reduces the purchase and installation costs of workplace charging stations.

More information on improving your environmental performance.

Webinar: International Trade - Authorised Economic Operator
Find out what an AEO is and how to apply.
Tuesday 9 February, 2pm - 3pm

Webinar: Sustainability Forum - An introduction to carbon footprinting
Produce your own footprint quickly and easily and learn how to make financial savings.
Wednesday 10 February, 10am - 11am

D2 Business Starter Programme: Business goals, vision and values
A free online programme to help you start your own business.
Wednesday 10 February, 10am - 2pm

Webinar: Introduction to Microsoft 365 - Power APPS and Power Automate
An introduction to the Power platform.
Wednesday 10 February 2pm - 4pm

Webinar: Diving deeper into WordPress
Explore ways to use WordPress features to greater effect.
Thursday 11 February, 2pm - 4pm

Webinar: Resilience - how to rebuild the future through people power
Practical tips on how to improve your approach to emotional wellbeing, mental health and overall organisational resilience.
Friday 12 February, 10.30am - 11.30am

Webinar: Motivation, engaging others and finding your own why
Make positive changes to influence the success of your business.
Tuesday 16 February, 2pm - 4pm

Webinar: How to use LinkedIn ads to attract new clients
Find out about the opportunities LinkedIn advertising holds for your business.
Thursday 18 February, 2pm - 4pm

D2 Business Starter Programme: Business Basics
The next workshop in the series.
Friday 26 February, 10am - 2pm

Glossop Business Network
Meet other businesses and promote yours via Zoom.
Friday 26 February, 11am - 12pm

Business Peak District Webinar Series 2021
Find out about the projects and opportunities being considered to deliver a beneficial impact on livelihoods and the local economy for the region.
Typically the first Wednesday of every month, 5pm - 6pm

D2 Business Starter Programme: Customers and Competitors
The next workshop in the series.
Thursday 4 March, 10am - 2pm

Events calendar

High Peak Borough Council and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, working as a Strategic Alliance, source a variety of suppliers, services and works for both Councils.

We advertise procurement opportunities on our website.

Check regularly to see what's available.

Business Helpline Tel: 0333 006 9178