As we draft this newsletter the Chancellor is just finishing his remarks on the winter budget. Key developments:
Furlough scheme replacement
A new “jobs support scheme” to subsidise the wages of people in work to replace the furlough scheme when it ends at the end of October. Businesses will have the option of keeping employees in a job on shorter hours, rather than making them redundant.
Workers must work a third of their usual hours, paid by their employer as normal. For the time they are not working, the government will pay a third of their usual pay, and the employer will pay a third of their usual pay.
Including the pay for the hours they are working, the Treasury says this means workers will get 77% of their usual pay. The scheme will be targeted at businesses that need it most – all small and medium-sized firms – but only for big companies if turnover has fallen by a third.
The scheme will run for six months starting in November. Firms can claim both the jobs support scheme and the jobs retention bonus. A grant for self-employed workers will be extended on similar terms.
Business loans
“Pay as you grow” was announced to help companies repay state-backed business loans. Loans can be extended from six to 10 years, almost halving repayments. Interest-only payments can be made, and firms in “real trouble” can suspend their payouts.
All of the government’s state-backed loan schemes will be extended until the end of 2020, and the government is starting work on a new guarantee loan programme to begin in January.
The chancellor will allow businesses to spread their VAT bills over 11 separate payments.
Covid 19 Government Guidelines
In addition yesterday the Government has announced updated Covid-19 guidelines, including introducing new restrictions on businesses to help minimise the current resurgence of Coronavirus cases. These new measures will have an impact on businesses, most notably food and beverage outlets, and offices.
For the full summary of changes announced, please see here. A key summary of notable changes is included below, however please see original Governmental guidelines via gov.uk for the full measures and to ensure all elements of the new restrictions are complied with:
Food and Beverage Outlets
Businesses selling food or drink (including cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants) must be closed between 10pm and 5am. This will include takeaways but delivery services can continue after 10pm (from 24 September).
In licensed premises, food and drink must be ordered from, and served at, a table.
These measures should be in place from Thursday 24th September.
Professional Services/Office based workers:
To help contain the virus, office workers who can work effectively from home should do so over the winter.
These measures should be in place from Wednesday 23rd September.
Whilst I am sure you have seen much of this via other sources please find below the council’s note on the above. For the hospitality sector in particular please note the BID has already invested in an Ecommerce solution that enables digital table service and this is free for BID businesses to use. Do get in touch if you wish to sign up - and check it out here www.wearebs3.co.uk.
BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER - Important info and advice for businesses in Bristol
Breaking news: new Covid-19 announcements from the government
Following on from central government's announcement yesterday (22 September), there are now several changes to the way businesses can operate.
Working from home: you should now work from home where you can. If employees CANNOT work from home, they should continue to go to work as normal.
10pm curfew: Hospitality venues must have a closing time of 10pm, coming into effect on Thursday. This is a legal requirement and must be adhered to.
Table service: Hospitality venues can offer table service only. No one should order drinks at the bar, under any circumstance.
Wedding capacity reduction: Weddings are now capped at a maximum of 15 guests.
Face coverings: Wearing a face covering will become a legal requirement. As well as wearing them in shops, takeaways and other indoor communal spaces, face coverings must also be worn in hospitality venues, unless you are seated at a table.
COVID-secure workplaces: Ensuring your premises is COVID-secure will become a legal requirement. For more info on making your workplace COVID-secure, click here
We will update you with further changes as they develop. For updated coronavirus FAQs, click here
WECA launches 'Thrive at Work' campaign
Most businesses have been affected by the pandemic, and this can have negative impact on the mental health of employees.
WECA has launched a new programme of support for businesses and their staff to improve mental health and wellbeing, called Thrive at Work. In these difficult times, supporting mental health is more important than ever.
It includes free e-learning for managers in SMEs (up to 250 staff) to equip them with the confidence and skills to have supportive conversations with their staff about mental health and wellbeing. There are also lots of resources and toolkits for staff.
To find out more about Thrive at Work, click here
Please also take this survey to help WECA understand what workplace mental health looks like across our region.
Car sharing discouraged as a commuting option
Now that schools have reopened and more people are heading back into the office, it can be tempting to car share with colleagues or help out on the school run.
However, due to Covid-19, car sharing is being actively discouraged in order to slow the spread of the virus. You should not share a car with those outside of your household or support bubble.
If there is no alternative, you should wear face coverings, open windows, and face away from each other.
For more advice on car sharing, click here
Quick updates
• A reminder that if you run a hospitality venue, community centre, leisure and tourism venue or place of worship, you must display an NHS QR code outside your venue from tomorrow 24 September. Please note that this is a legal requirement. Click here for more info
• Ways2Work and Bristol City Council are encouraging Bristol employers to sign up to the Kickstart scheme, where they can hire young people on funded work placements. More info here
• Bristol City Council is looking for people who use its site permissions service to complete a survey about usability, in order to improve the overall experience. If you've used the site permissions website, you can access the survey here before the 5 October deadline.
• The Police and Crime Commissioner, Avon and Somerset Police and Golden Key are inviting local businesses to a virtual breakfast on 8 October at 10am, to encourage them to provide opportunities for young people. Reserve your place by emailing PCCMailings@avonandsomerset.police.uk
• Nominations for the Innovate UK 'Women in Innovation' awards are now open. To nominate an innovative woman to win a £50,000 grant, click here
• Businesses that offer 'experiences' such as drone flying, foraging, cookery classes and more can now sell these experiences via a new Bristol-based online marketplace. Visit Yuup.co for more info
• The Government has extended support to prevent businesses from being evicted in 2020. For more info click here
• Enterprise Nation is hosting a virtual meet up on 24 September for Bristol small businesses to discuss challenges, problem solve and get advice. Sign up here
• North Street in Bedminster has been reconstructed within a virtual world for an online version of Upfest, running between Friday 25 and Sunday 27 September. Find out more here
• Local businesses are being asked to get involved with an Above and Beyond campaign called Bristol Against Cancer, raising money to improve cancer care for patients. Click here for more
• Arts Council England has recently published research demonstrating how important culture is to our high streets; read more here
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PLEASE GET INVOLVED IN THE BID
If you are interested in becoming more closely involved with the BID, we are an informal, friendly group, whose basic duties are to direct spending for the BID and Town Team. The BID Board meets 6pm on the first Tuesday of each month online. Please do get in touch if you'd like to get involved.
Alternatively a marketing (and arts, culture) group meets on the last Monday of every month also at 6pm and a Built Environment Group on the first Tuesday monthly at 4pm - also online. Alternatively if you prefer drop us a line or telephone us for a chat to discuss any ideas you have that you think the BID should be pursuing.
About the Business Improvement District
Bedminster BID funding is generated via a small levy on all eligible businesses in the area and paid into a central 'kitty' in November each year, to be spent on projects that benefit Bedminster businesses.
Our stated priorities are to:
Create vibrant streets that excite and delight
Market and promote Bedminster
Reduce crime and improve the shopping environment
Advocate and lobby for Bedminster business interests
Drive down costs
Further Information
Business to business news: www.bedminster.org.uk/business
Customer facing website and social media (these streams are owned by the BID and open for your use to announce items of interest to the local customer base - please get in touch if you have anything you wish to share):
Contacts
George Grace - business@bedminster.org.uk
Simon Dicken (Wilko) - man242@wilko.co.uk
Stef Brammar (AGB) - stef.brammar@way-out-west.org
We are grateful to local accountants Tyrrell Procter and communications experts Plaster for their generous pro bono contributions to our activities.