Coronavirus (COVID-19)

24/09/20 - Bounce Back loan repayment term extended

Length of repayment term for the Bounce Back loan has been extended from 6 to 10 years. Interest-only periods of up to six months and payment holidays will also be available.

Applications have also been extended to the end of November for the following schemes: Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme, the Bounce Back Loan Scheme and the Future Fund.

24/09/20 - 15% tax cut extended

The temporary 15% VAT cut for the tourism and hospitality sectors has been extended to the end of March 2021.

Businesses who deferred VAT bills will be able to repay in smaller instalments under the New Payment Scheme rather than repay the total at the end of March 2021. This will be in the form of 11 interest-free payments during the 2021-22 financial year.

The Small Business Grants Discretionary Fund

The Small Business Grants Discretionary Fund provides a discretionary grant up to a value of £5,000 to eligible businesses, charities and community organisations.

The grants will support small and micro businesses directly impacted by the crisis that meet the following eligibility criteria:

– Businesses with relatively high ongoing fixed building-related costs
– Businesses which occupy property, or part of a property, with a rateable value or annual rent or annual mortgage payments below £51,000

27/05/20 - Grant funding: local authority payments to SME's

Local authorities have received and distributed funding to support small and medium businesses in England during COVID-19.

As of 26 May, £9.9 billion has been paid out to over 804,000 business properties.

20/05/20 - Applications open for the Future Fund scheme

The Future Fund scheme will issue convertible loans between £125,000 to £5 million to innovative companies which are facing financing difficulties due to the outbreak of COVID-19. The scheme is open for applications until the end of September 2020.

12/05/20 - Furlough Scheme extended until October

The Chancellor announced that the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will remain open until the end of October 2020.

Furloughed workers will continue to receive 80% of their salary, up to £2,500 and new flexibility will be introduced from August to get employees back to work.

04/05/20 - Applications open for 100% Government-backed loan scheme for small business

The new fast-track finance scheme, announced by the Chancellor on 27th April, will allow businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000 and access the funds within days for immediate support.

Businesses can borrow between £2,000 and £50,000 through the new scheme. Loans will be interest-free for the first 12 months and businesses can apply online now.

20/04/20 - Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is up and running

Opening 10 days ahead of schedule, the Job retention Scheme will enable businesses to claim up to £2,500 a month towards staff wages.

Employers are encouraged to go online to claim cash grants worth up to 80% of wages, capped at £2,500 a month per worker.

15/04/20 - Bristol City Council: Total processed grant value of £33.9m

Bristol City Council has now received over 5,000 small business grant applications. The total value of grants processed, as of midday on Tuesday 14 April, is £33.9m.

They are actively contacting those who can benefit and asking them to confirm their business rate number and bank account details so they can quickly send out funds. 

Please note businesses can only apply for either the Small Business Grant Fund or the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant, not both. This simple form ensures that the grant is distributed correctly.

Updated - 09/04/20 - Claim for your employees' wages

The guidance for employers has been further updated, releasing more information on:

– Switching from sick pay to furlough and vice versa
– Visa conditions
– Employers of newly TUPE’d employees
– Reclaimable National Insurance and pension elements
– Payroll consolidation schemes

Updated - 04/04/20 - Check if your employer can use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

The guidance for employees has been further updated, releasing more information on:

– Scheme eligibility
– How much your employer can claim through ‘furlough’
– How much you’ll get
– Guidance for specific customers

03/04/20 - Chancellor strengthens support for businesses

Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, is taking further action to support businesses affected by COVID-19 by bolstering business interruption loans, as well as announcing a new scheme for larger companies.

– £90 million of business interruption loans have been approved for nearly 1,000 firms
– £1.9 billion of corporate finance provided
– The current loan scheme has been extended so that more can benefit
– Lenders are now banned from requesting personal guarantees on loans under £250,000
– A new scheme has been announced to bolster support for larger firms
–  The importance of banks is emphasised

30/03/20 - The latest guidance on Grant Funding Schemes

The most recent information released on the small business grant fund and retail, hospitality and leisure grant fund guidance, including:

– How will the grants be provided?
– How much funding will be provided?
– Managing the risk of fraud
– Rating list changes
– Post-event assurance
And more.

30/03/20 - Grant Funds for small business, retail, hospitality and leisure

In response to COVID-19, the Government has announced two grant funding schemes to support small businesses and businesses working in the retail, hospitality & leisure sectors. Applications are now open via Bristol City Council.

Read more to find information on:
– Who can get a grant
– Types of grant
– How to apply for one

23/03/20 - Business support launched

Businesses will now be able to access support from the Government in order to keep operating during the current crisis. Support available includes:

– Government-backed loans of up to £5 million available to SMEs through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
– The Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility will provide a cost-effective way to raise working capital for large firms
– A new business information campaign has launched to ensure people are aware of the support available to their business

Updated 23/03/20 - COVID-19: Government support for businesses

The Chancellor has set out a package of measures to support public services, the public and businesses through the coronavirus pandemic.

– The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme enables UK employers to access support to continue paying part of their employees’ salary
– For businesses that pay little or no business rates, there will be an additional Small Business Grant Scheme funding which will provide a one-off grant of £10,000 to eligible businesses to help meet their ongoing business costs
– The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme supports SME’s with access to working capital of up to £5 million in value and for up to 6 years
– Under the new Covid-19 Corporate Financing Facility, the Bank of England will buy short term debt from larger companies

03/06/20 - Raise the bar campaign update

The #RaiseTheBar campaign continues to ask Government to increase the business rates threshold from £51,000 to £150,000 to allow retail, hospitality and leisure businesses across England and Wales a fighting chance of survival.

Read the campaign’s progress in the latest update.

Updated 02/04/20 - Business rates: guidance on expanded retail discount

The guidance provided to local authorities on the expanded retail discount response 2020 – 2021, supporting operation and delivery of the scheme. This guidance outlines the criteria considered to be eligible for the scheme and does not replace existing legislation.

This document includes:
– How the relief will be provided
– Which properties will benefit
– State Aid
– Splits, mergers, and changes to existing hereditaments

01/04/20 - £22 billion grants and business rates package for high streets

From 1st April, high streets will begin to receive £22 billion, with grants of up to £25,000 already being paid into bank accounts of high street businesses.

– Thousands of high street firms will be exempt from business rates from 1st April 2020 as they begin to benefit from the £22 billion benefit
– Eligible properties will not pay business rates for the next 12 months
– Smaller businesses are beginning to receive one-off grants

17/03/20 - Budget 2020: new rate discounts

Information on the new business rate discounts following the 2020 Budget and the Chancellors Statement 17 March. There will be extra relief available to certain business ratepayers to help alleviate effects from the coronavirus.

Rate discounts are available for:
– Retail rate discount
– Child care providers
– Loans and lending

24/03/20 - COVID-19 advice for accommodation providers released

The Government has released advice for businesses providing accommodation to take the necessary steps to close as quickly as possible, whilst following social distancing guidelines. These businesses include hotels, B&Bs, hostels, campsites, caravan parks, short term lets and boarding houses.

Read more to find guidance for families in temporary accommodation, for hostels serving food and for residents showing COVD-19 symptoms.

23/03/20 - A new ban on evictions for commercial tenants

There is now extra protection for businesses as commercial tenants who cannot pay their rent because of COVID-19 will be protected from eviction.  Aiming to help businesses struggling with their cash flow due to worries around eviction, the measure supports the current conversations between landlords and tenants around voluntary rental payment arrangements.

02/04/20 - Extend the deadline for filing your accounts

If you think the impact of COVID-19 will cause delays in filing your company accounts, you can now apply for an automatic and immediate 3-month extension. You must apply for the extension before your filing deadline.

27/03/20 - Carrying over annual leave rules to be relaxed

Employees will now be able to carry their annual leave entitlement over into the next 2 years so that they don’t miss out due to COVID-19. These new measures will ensure workers won’t lose their leave entitlement and provides businesses with flexibility at an uncertain time.

26/03/20 - Deferral of VAT payments

Temporary changes to the VAT payments due between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020have been announced to help businesses manage their cash flow.

Guidance is available on the following:
– If you choose to defer your VAT payment
– What happens at the end of the deferral period
– What to do if you’re experiencing financial distress due to COVID-19

28/09/20 - Updated guidance for working safely during COVID-19

Government guidance for working safely through the pandemic in the following sectors has been updated as of the 28th September:

– Offices & Contact Centres
– Close Contact Services
– Shops & Branches
– Restaurants offering takeaway or delivery

24/09/20 - Government to cover 22% of worker pay for six months

From 1st November the Government are introducing a new Job Support Scheme to protect viable jobs in businesses who are facing lower demand over the winter months due to coronavirus.

Main points of the scheme include:

– Government and Employer pay 1/3 of the equivalent salary for hours not worked
– Business can benefit from Job Support Scheme and Job Retention Scheme simultaneously
– Help for businesses in repaying government-backed loans

24/09/20 - Test & Trace

The new NHS COVID-19 app is now available to download for free and is the fastest way to see if you or your business are at risk from coronavirus.

Businesses are required to have NHS QR code posters visible on entry so customers who have downloaded the new NHS COVID-19 app can use their smartphones to safely check-in.

22/09/20 - Further national measures announced

The Government has introduced further measures to address rising cases of COVID-19 in England. The measures are effective from 24 September and include:

– Work from home where possible
– Businesses selling food or drink, funfairs, theme parks, adventure parks and activities, and bingo halls must be closed between 10pm and 5am. This includes takeaways but delivery services can continue after 10pm
– Food and drink must be ordered from, and served at, a table in licensed premises
– Customers must eat and drink at a table in any premises selling food and drink
– The official NHS QR code posters must be displayed in all Businesses so that customers can ‘check-in’ as an alternative to providing their contact details
– Support groups must be limited to a maximum of 15 people
– Indoor organised sport for over 18s will no longer be exempt from the rule of six
– Weddings, civil partnership ceremonies and receptions will be restricted to a maximum of 15 people

11/09/20 - The Rule of Six

The Rule of Six principle is that businesses operating in accordance with current COVID-19 secure guidance will be able to continue doing as they are , provided that individual groups of customers obey the Rule of Six.

All guidance for businesses has been updated to take account of the new requirements, including:

– Close Contact Services
– Heritage locations
– Hotels and other Guest Accommodation
– Restaurants, Pubs and Bars
– The Visitor Economy

26/05/20 - The Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy

The Government has released a roadmap for how and when the UK will adjust its response to the COVID-19 crisis. This includes a plan to ease existing measures in a safe and measured way, subject to successfully controlling, measuring and reacting to the virus.

The roadmap will be kept under constant review as the situation evolves here in the UK.

25/05/20 - Prime Minister sets out timeline for retail to reopen

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that thousands of high street shops, department stores and shopping centres across the UK are set to reopen in June once they are “COVID-19 secure” and can show safety for customers.

06/04/20 - Regulatory status of PPE

The different regulations that apply to devices and equipment, including hand gels and PPE (personal protective equipment), have been outlined to ensure everyone’s safety.

Read more to find the regulations on:
Antimicrobial hand sanitisers and gels

– Face masks
– Gloves
– Donating healthcare equipment to healthcare providers
– Failure to comply with the regulations

30/03/12 - Coronavirus press conference slides

Press conference slides and datasets used by Sir Patrick Vallance, to accompany the coronavirus press conference that took place on 30 March 2020. The slides include:

– Transport use change
– New UK cases
– Hospital admissions
– Global comparison of deaths

23/03/20 - PM announces strict lockdown for the UK

Boris Johnson has announced a UK lockdown, saying people can only shop for basic necessities and limit exercise to one form a day. People must also restrict travel only to and from work if it’s essential.

This BBC news article includes:

– The restrictions set out by the PM
– The businesses that will not need to close
– How to stick together, by staying apart
– The current challenge for police forces
– Other key developments

22/03/20 - National Crime Agency warning

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has warned that organised crime groups may try to exploit the coronavirus outbreak to target the UK. Their proactive approach includes:

– Continuing to protect the public and leading the UK’s fight against organised crime throughout the pandemic
– Continuing work to protect children from online abuse
– Identifying that criminals are already looking to exploit the UK by running intelligence assessments
– Recognising and investigating coronavirus-themed malicious apps and websites, as well as email phishing attacks aimed at stealing personal information

22/03/20 - Government sets out plans to enforce closure of businesses and other venues

Guidance issued states that the local government will be responsible for enforcing regulations requiring businesses asked to close on 20 March 2020. Regulations include:

– Businesses who do not follow the restrictions will be issued with prohibition notices
– Fines will be issued to businesses who fail to comply
– Businesses could face the loss of their alcohol license
– There will be no limit to the fines of businesses who continue to ignore restrictions

20/03/20 - Government announces further measures on social distancing

To limit the spread of coronavirus, measures to close entertainment, hospitality and indoor leisure premises across the country will take place from the end of trading hours on Friday 20 March.

– Social contact will be limited further by new measures taken from scientific evidence
– The public are urged to stay at home and limit travel

19/03/20 - Avon and Somerset Police respond to the coronavirus outbreak

Avon and Somerset Police respond to COVID-19 to reassure the public that they’re taking all necessary steps to maintain critical functions, including:

– Expanding the Incident Assessment Unit by increasing the number of supervisors and staff
– Keeping the neighbourhood policing teams in place and safeguarding them to reassure local communities and maintain a visible presence
– Enquiry offices and public-facing police posts remain open to the public but this is under constant review
– Focussing messages to the public on encouraging people to report non-urgent offences online instead of through 101
– Giving daily updates to their officers with the latest advice and guidance from Public Health England and the Government

17/03/20 - Government to grant permission for pubs and restaurants to operate as takeaways

The Government will relax planning rules to allow pubs and restaurants to operate as hot food takeaways during the coronavirus outbreak.

Coordinating a business community response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have created three Facebook groups for our levy payers to communicate with other businesses within their area. Please use the groups to share experiences, ask questions and pass on any advice that has proved useful.

Click the links below to request to join the group relevant to your business:

Click here to join the Park Street and Queens Road group.

Click here to join the Harbourside group.

Click here to join the Old City group.

Please feel free to invite employees and other members of staff to the group.

HM Government Skills Toolkit

The UK Government’s free-to-use online skills toolkit allows people to develop their skills during the current lockdown. The toolkit includes a selection of high-quality courses, from social media and coding to programming and digital marketing.

Barclays Digital Confidence Lifeskills

LifeSkills is a free programme designed to help young people develop the skills they need for the 21st century workplace and includes valuable content for educators, parents and young people.

Lloyds Bank Academy

The Lloyds Bank Academy is packed with free digital skills learning for any level, with the option to learn online or face-to-face. Gain skills for everyday life, as well as skills to boost business.

NatWest MentorLIVE

NatWest Mentor are now offering their digital platform – MentorLive – for free! MentorLive is part of a wider range of support they offer as part of their ‘paid for’ services, and is a fully-featured system to manage HR & Health & Safety in your business, with access to:

– Free tools & templates (including Furlough letters & guidance)
– Detailed FAQ’s & policies on SSP, holidays & working from home
– Workplace posters
– H&S templates inc COVID-19 risk assessment template
– Free weekly webinars delivered by their expert consultants

They are also offering the Mentor 90 day Employment Law & HR and Health & Safety Advice Service.

Bristol Mind YouTube channel

The team at Bristol Mind have put together a series of short, free videos from a variety of local trainers and experts, offering advice and support to help you look after your wellbeing during the pandemic.

The videos are 10-15 minutes long and cover:

– Tips on managing stress and anxiety
– Tips for Managers on supporting remote staff
– Postnatal mental health during COVID-19
– Support whilst working from home
And more!

Google Digital Garage

Use Google Digital Garage to learn at your own pace, with flexible and personalised training courses that are designed to build your confidence in the digital world.

Get access to:
– Online courses
– Free webinars
– Certification
– Face-to-face workshops

Pearson UK Learns

UK Learns provides a curated selection of online courses, from data science to childcare, to help the UK workforce and businesses acquire new skills and earn qualifications and accreditations. Many are free of charge, some for a limited period.