We hope this information is useful for you. 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.
Funds awarded for Earl's Court projects!
We are pleased to announce the Business Forum has been awarded match funding from the Council's NCIL funding to deliver a number of projects in Earl's Court as we look forward to easing restrictions. These include:
Additional deep cleaning of the streets to make Earls Court feel safe and clean
Branding and marketing for the area
A new planter on Hogarth Road
Get in touch if you would like to be involved in marketing discussions and watch this space for more information.
Roadmap for re-opening
We are sure you are aware of the roadmap announced by government last week. Here is a short summary of the key dates for business in one place. This is assuming that the roadmap is not delayed:
From 8th March: schools and colleges reopen, but most restrictions will remain in place. Outdoor recreation will be added to the list of permitted reasons not to "stay at home"
From 29th March:
Some outdoor mixing will be allowed in line with the Rule of 6, or two households. This is not intended to allow for outdoor seating at restaurants etc.
Still no travel for holidays
Outdoor sports as well as outdoor childcare and parent groups to restart
From 12th April: many outdoor activities will be able to restart, but must abide by the rules about how many people and how many households can socialise (Rule of 6 or two households). Activities that will be able to restart are:
Outdoor hospitality - no curfew and no requirement to serve food with alcohol. However the requirement for table service will remain
Personal care services such as hairdressers and salons
All retail
Self-contained accommodation - this does not include most hotels
Indoor leisure (including gyms) - for individual or household use
Libraries and community centres
Children's activities and parent groups (up to 15 adults)
From 17th May: The following will now be allowed to reopen:
Indoor entertainment and attractions
Outdoor theatres
Indoor theatres and other event venues with 50% capacity (or 1,000 people, whichever is fewest)
Indoor hospitality - with no requirement for a substantial meal with alcohol and no curfew. The requirement for table service will remain
Hotels, hostels, B&Bs
Indoor adult group sports
Piloting of some larger events
At this point international travel may be permitted, subject to a review that is yet to be published
From 21st June:
All restrictions on socialising lifted
Nightclubs to reopen
Larger events permitted
What has been announced in the budget to accompany the roadmap?
The Chancellor has announced the new budget, including the following important items for businesses to take note of:
The furlough scheme will continue for those who need it until the end of September. Firms will be asked to contribute 10% in July and 20% in August and September
The self-employment income support scheme has been extended until the end of September. The next (fourth) grant will cover from February to April. Filings from 2019/20 will now be taken into account so new people may be eligible
Business rates relief will continue for the first three months of the new financial year. The remaining nine months will be discounted by two-thirds
Restart grants of up to £18,000 for hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym businesses to help them reopen
The 5% VAT rate for hospitality, accommodation and attractions will remain until the end of September. This will be followed by a 12.5% rate until the end of March 2022
Businesses who take on an apprentice will be given £3,000
Contactless payment limit will move from £45 - £100
SMEs will continue to be able to claim up to 2 weeks of Statutory Sick Pay from the government
A £150 million Community Ownership Fund is intended to allow communities to invest in protecting the assets that matter most to them such as pubs, theatres, shops or local sports clubs
For more information on funding eligibility and how to apply, please see the RBKC website.
RBKC have a dedicated hospitality business helpline for specific Covid-19 queries, such as re-opening. 020 7361 2161 Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.
For standard queries find other advice and guidance here.
Send us your marketing photos
We work closely with RBKC, the Court, the Earls Court Development Company and others. At times we are able to share stories or photography from local businesses to be included in publications or marketing campaigns. We would love to be able to use photos of your business in marketing for Earls Court.
