Please find below details of a webinar and latest newsletter concerning covid:
Webinar - High Street Business COVID Briefing with Q& A
On Monday, 7 December 2020 17:15pm - A session for the High Street based business sector to discuss the latest Covid-related issues and restrictions with Bristol City Council. with Q&A on Monday 7 December https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/high-street-business-covid-briefing-with-qa-tickets-131329952423.
Council Newsletter: Lockdown business grants: still open for applications
While lockdown officially ended on 2 December 2020, businesses can still apply for a grant that covers the lockdown period (5 November - 2 December).
If you pay business rates and were legally required to close due to lockdown, you could be eligible. This grant is known as the 'Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) Addendum'.
If your business is still legally required to close due to Tier 3 restrictions, you will also be eligible for an additional grant – the ‘Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed)’ – that covers each fortnight you have to remain closed. If you received a ‘Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) Addendum’ you will automatically receive a ‘Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed)’ – you only need to apply once.
It can be confusing with the number and type of grants available, but we want to support as many businesses as possible throughout this difficult time.
If you think you're eligible or want to find out more, click here
Additionally, we are hosting a webinar for high street-based businesses on Monday 7 December at 5:15pm. The session is an opportunity for businesses to discuss the latest COVID-related issues, restrictions and support available with Bristol City Council. The session is available to all high street businesses, including hospitality, retail, leisure and close contact (e.g. hairdressers, beauty). Spaces are limited so sign up here
Bristol ADVENTures bring Bristol Together at Christmas
Bristol ADVENTures, a new arts project spearheaded by Bristol City Centre BID, will light up a new building each day with a selection Christmas lyrics, with a trail of 24 locations complete by Christmas Eve.
The project is part of the #BristolTogether collaboration which brought thousands of people to the socially distanced 'Hearts in Parks' this summer.
For this initiative over 100 businesses have come together to make a little bit of magic happen for the city. Expect some glowing building frontages, some messaging under your feet and plenty of surprises emerging across the city centre.
For a full list Bristol ADVENTure locations, click here to view the Instagram or here to go to the Visit Bristol website.
Free business support via the WECA Growth Hub
West of England Combined Authority (WECA) has a Growth Hub section of its website that's designed to offer business support - even during the pandemic.
The site offers bespoke business support, financial support and guidance, leadership and management programmes, skills and workforce development, technology and innovation, networks and collaborations.
No matter what stage your business is in, you can get support and guidance via the Growth Hub.
The site also offers mental health support for workplaces via the Thrive at Work programme.
To find out more, click here
Quick updates
• The full regulations for the Tier system including Tier 3 (which Bristol is currently in) is available here
• We have updated our website's section for Hospitality businesses to reflect new rules, such as the 10pm curfew being extended to 11pm, and the sale of takeaway alcohol now being permitted for licensed venues. Click here for more
• WECA is asking people living and working in the West of England for their views about the future of the region, to help ensure it’s a greener, more connected place to live and work; read more and give your views here. The survey will close on Monday 14 December.
• The Bedminster Business Improvement District (BID) is calling on business owners and landlords to apply for a new set of grants aiming to support new business on East Street. Grants of up to £10k are available, funded by the WECA through its Love Our High Streets project, to regenerate currently underused shops, cafes, artists’ studios and offices in East Street, Cannon Street and Bedminster Parade; further details here
• Thangam Debonnaire MP will be hosting a Facebook Live Panel and Q&A on Bristol Culture: Spaces, on Tuesday 8 December (5-6pm). The event is a chance to be part of the conversation about how organisations and decision makers can better respond to the creative community’s need for space in Bristol, and opportunities around this as Bristol recovers and builds back from the impact of the pandemic. Register for the event
• The latest #WeAreBristol film is now out. It focuses on Bristol's high COVID-19 levels and how you can help reduce the spread and protect our city. Watch it here
• A reminder that this Saturday (5 December) is Small Business Saturday. If you're a small business who wants to get involved, visit our website
• You can also browse a free directory of local independent food, drink, shops and classes on The Lockdown Economy website
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