Given the latest lockdown situation and the emphasis by the government on businesses being able to continue operating via takeaway and delivery services, we wish to reinforce the importance of selling online and the facility the BID has put in place which is completely FREE OF CHARGE for BID members.
If you have not had a chance yet, please check it out - www.wearebs3.org.uk - its Bedminster’s own virtual high street - launched by Bedminster BID for Bedminster businesses.
TO GET YOUR BUSINESS ONLINE QUICKLY, EASILY AND FOR FREE - PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL US AT BUSINESS@BEDMINSTER.ORG.UK; HELLO@WEARELOCALS.CO.UK; 07801790645
• Free for Bedminster BID members
•Catalysing impulse purchases for and from business neighbours – just like a high street!
• Unlimited number of products and orders
• Comprehensive back end app for traders including product management, route planning, collection and delivery slot logistics and order management
• Comprehensive Ecommerce solution supporting sales, collections and deliveries
• Technical support in set up and ongoing – including security and upgrades of the platform and all running and hosting costs
COUNCIL COVID SUPPORT
There are now a wide range of support services in place available via the council - please visit https://www.bristol.gov.uk/business-support-advice/covid-19-information-for-businesses for full details
Please note further Furlough Extension and Support for the Self-employed. Government grants to pay workers who cannot carry out their jobs during lockdown will now be available for at least another five months.
The Chancellor has announced continued support for the UK workforce through yet another extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention (furlough) Scheme, which will now operate until next spring. Just a few days ago the scheme was extended from 1 November until 2 December. Now the Government says it is 'going further so that support can be put in place for long enough to help businesses recover and get back on their feet'.
From now until the end of March 2021, employees of businesses in all parts of the UK mandated to close during a period of lockdown will receive 80% of their current salary for hours not worked, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month. Businesses will have flexibility to use the scheme for employees for any amount of time and shift pattern, including furloughing them full-time. There are currently no employer contributions required towards the wages of unworked hours. Employers will only be asked to cover National Insurance and employer pension contributions for hours not fulfilled.
Elsewhere, support for workers through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will also be increased, with the third grant covering November to January calculated at 80% of average trading profits, up to a maximum of £7,500. The Government has already announced that there will be a fourth SEISS grant covering February to April. The Government will set out further details, including the level of the fourth grant 'in due course'.
Additionally, the planned Jobs Retention Bonus (JRB) will not now be paid in February and the Government says it will redeploy a retention incentive at 'an appropriate time'. The purpose of the JRB was to encourage employers to keep people in work until the end of January. However, as the furlough scheme is being extended, the intention of the JRB has evaporated at this stage. The extended furlough scheme will operate as the previous one did, with businesses being able to claim either shortly before, during or after running payroll.
Claims can be made from Wednesday 11 November (08:00 GMT). Claims made for November must be submitted to HMRC by no later than 14 December 2020.
Claims relating to each subsequent month should be submitted by day 14 of the following month, to ensure prompt claims following the end of the month which is the subject of the claim.
CHRISTMAS 2020
Christmas is coming and despite Covid we intend doing all we can to make it a good one. We have a range of activities planned but in particular:
Lights - During November, the Christmas lights return on East Street, North Street and West Street with wreaths across the road and fairy lights in the trees as in previous years.
Gift Guide - The gift guide returns during November with a wider distribution and an online version. If you have any gifts you’d like to promote in the online version - get in touch.
Posters and Film - After the success of the #WeAreBS3 poster campaign last year, we return with more faces, and a film showcasing our traders. This will be launched at the beginning of December.
To get involved please email bedminster@weareplaster.com
NEW DEVELOPMENTS ON OR NEAR EAST STREET
It has been a very busy month for the street in terms of new property developments either passing through the planning process or advancing into it:
St Catherine’s Place This scheme was rejected a planning application six months ago however it is back in the planning system and you can help ensure it succeeds by offering your support here https://pa.bristol.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=QIFQ6EDN0DG00. More information at www.stcatherines.place and see image above.
Little Paradise Multi Storey Car Park - This development has now been passed at planning and we are hopeful will move quickly into construction. The additional spaces immediately adjacent to East Street rather than scattered around the area including the wrong side of Dalby Avenue will we think have a very positive affect on the street.
Little Paradise Residential Development - This new development will bring over 300 apartments and thus around 400-500 new local shoppers with all their buying power.
East Street Vision - We commenced an outline exercise earlier this year. This will go into the detailed master-planning phase over the next two months . More information at www.eaststreetvision.com and we will be in touch as part of the consultation process via the BID digital newsletter Was this information useful? If so and for regular (but not too regular!) updates of what the BID is working on please sign up for our digital newsletter at www.bedminster.org.uk/news. It only takes a few seconds.
IN OTHER NEWS
East Street Pocket Park - A transformation has taken place on East Street as the Bedminster BID, Juniper Homes, Purcell Architects and local artist Hasan Kamill come together to create a colourful, creative Pocket Park on East Street.
WECA: Love Our High Streets grants scheme Grants of up to £10,000 for individual businesses are available to regenerate currently underused shops, cafes, artists studios and offices in East Street and adjacent streets. The aim is to bring new types of uses into the area, thereby strengthening and diversifying the current offer. Funding for the scheme is being provided via the West of England (WECA) Love Our High Streets Fund. Applications are assessed on merit, job creation and the applicant’s own investment into the business. Full details are available at www.bedminster.org.uk/loveourhighstreet