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COVID-19: business update 19 March  


Preparing for the easing of restrictions

Hello, I’m Cllr Tony Dale, Cabinet Member for the Economy and Skills. I reported in the last edition of this newsletter that the Government had just announced new Restart grants. We received the guidance yesterday and the team is now working hard to set up the systems to administer the new scheme. We will be in touch with eligible businesses as soon as we can but it is important to clarify that the Restart scheme for business ratepayers does not start until April.

The Local Restriction Support Grant (LRSG) schemes will close on Wednesday 31 March so it is important that any outstanding applications are received by the council before then.

As we move closer to the reopening of the hospitality sector, I would like to remind all businesses that are planning to use chairs and tables outside their premises that they will need to apply for a pavement licence, at a fee of £100.
Apply for a Pavement Licence

Reopening hospitality businesses

A series of webinars will help local hospitality businesses prepare for reopening by covering the practical steps, considerations, and the latest Government guidance:

1.  Thursday 25 March 10am: Preparing to open your hospitality business safely
    
2. Thursday 1 April: Running your hospitality business safely

3. Thursday 8 April: Running your hospitality business post Covid

4. Thursday 15 April: Business Success Roadmap 2021 & beyond 
Book to attend hospitality business webinars

Brexit Support Fund

The Government has launched its SME Brexit Support Fund to help small businesses trade with the EU. Grants of up to £2,000 are on offer to pay for training and professional advice to help businesses meet their customs, excise, import VAT or safety and security declaration requirements.

Applications will close on 30 June 2021 or earlier if all funding is allocated before this date.
Apply for the Brexit Support Fund

Deutsche Bank Awards

DBACE is awarding a cash prize and business support for a year for individuals who want to start a new business or already have a business in the creative industry. Applicants must be 18 to 30 years old and need a strong desire to create social impact through enterprise. The closing date for applications is on 31 March 2021.
Apply for the cash prize reward

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

The government has announced the fourth round of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme which will cover the period of February 2021 to April 2021. This grant is available for those who are self-employed or are members of a partnership. You will be able to submit your claim from late April 2021 until 31 May 2021.
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

Kickstart Scheme

The government is providing funding to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit. Any business can apply and the scheme covers:
  • 100% of the National Minimum Wage
  • National Insurance contributions 
  • automatic enrolment contributions
Employers can spread the start of the placements up until December 2021 and may receive further funding for training and development of the young individual.
Employ a young and talented individual

Pitchfest: investment readiness 

Pitchfest is an Innovate UK scheme to help business get investment ready. The scheme is open to UK registered SMEs with high growth potential.  Pitchfest offers:
  • An opportunity to build a clear, compelling and credible investment proposition
  • Bespoke support from a dedicated innovation and growth specialist 
  • Two-days of comprehensive pitch training
  • Access to leading pitch and investment experts
  • Introductions to active investor networks in your region and across the UK
  • Constructive no-risk feedback from a panel of real investors
The deadline for applications in the southwest of England is Tuesday 23 March.
Apply to Pitchfest

Free rapid tests for all businesses

The Government announced that all businesses in England, including those with fewer than 50 employees, are now able to sign up to the free coronavirus workplace testing programme.

Businesses are encouraged to register their interest by 31 March to order free lateral flow tests for their employees.

Rapid testing detects cases in under 30 minutes, meaning positive cases can isolate immediately, breaking chains of transmission. Regular testing could be the difference between a workplace being able to stay open and operational, or needing to close due to a coronavirus outbreak.
Register for free workplace testing

Insights to re-engage with your customers

Access the same social media tools and training that are delivering game-changing results for other local businesses. Learn how you can use the same tools and tactics to re-engage with your customers, by signing up for a free social media webinar with Maybe*, coming up on the 24 March 2020.
Sign up

S4G launches funding programme 

Scale Up 4 Growth (S4G), launches funding programme in Gloucestershire with £1m of grants available to help the region’s SMEs scale and grow. A funding and support programme that brings together experts from the UWE Bristol, NatWest and Gloucestershire College, will deliver grant funding and support to businesses in Gloucestershire. 

The programme, funded through the European Regional Development Fund, is open to businesses in any sector with ambitious growth plans. Applicants must be small or medium sized enterprises and based in the Region: Tewkesbury, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Forest of Dean, Stroud and Cotswolds.

Grants of £10,000 to £40,000 are available to help address the challenges that Gloucestershire businesses face when growing and scaling up their operations. The grants will cover 35% of business’ costs.

Dedicated support from a team of experts at UWE Bristol will be given to help businesses develop project ideas and submit grant applications.

Applications for funding will close on Wednesday 5 May 2021
Register your interest

Other helpful organisations

Here is a selection of groups offering expert help and advice for businesses, but do also check the trade association for your own sector.

Summary of business support

The government's business support website sets out the full range of business support measures that have been made available to UK businesses and employees.
Government business support website

Keeping up to date

Please forward this email to others who might find this useful and encourage them to sign up to further updates.You can access previous editions of this newsletter too.
Sign up for this newsletter and see previous editions
COVID-19 Latest information and advice
Our council Coronavirus web pages have updates about business support, communities and leisure, bins and recycling, council meetings, planning, building and council news.
Visit our website
We hope you found this newsletter useful. We would like them to be as relevant as possible so please let us know what you think and don’t forget to send us your news to press@cotswold.gov.uk
 
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Cotswold District Council, Trinity Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1PX.

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Cotswold District Council · Council Offices · Trinity Road · Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 1PX · United Kingdom

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