New Financial Business Support for Coronavirus

 

The Government has announced additional support schemes for businesses most recently impacted by Coronavirus, which include:

  • One-off grants of up to £6,000 for businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors
  • Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) for businesses affected by the pandemic but that are ineligible for existing support linked to business rates
  • Reintroduction of the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme (SSPRS) for businesses with fewer than 250 employees, up to two weeks per employee
  • Discretionary funding will also be made available to support other businesses

Funding and grants will be administered by Merton Council. Information is available on their website, with additional details to be announced in the upcoming weeks here.

We know this is yet another difficult time for businesses, in what should otherwise be a robust trading period. Love Wimbledon is supporting the ‘Business Booster Campaign‘, calling on central Government to provide: business rates relief, an extension to VAT reduction and additional grants up to £15K for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses.

Please do get in touch with the Love Wimbledon team if we can assist you in any way.

Business Booster Campaign

In light of Plan B and the effect it is having on our hospitality, leisure and retail sectors, Love Wimbledon BID is joining hundreds of BIDs around the country and calling on the Government to deliver a #BusinessBooster to support venues, pubs, clubs, restaurants, leisure services and shops.

The hospitality sector is vital to our economic recovery and the current measures in place do not reflect the current concerns faced by businesses.

We are calling on Government to:

  • Provide Business Rates Relief
    Offer businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors 100% Business Rate Relief for up to and including 31st March 2022 [no cap]. After which, we call on the Government to support the recovery by providing businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with a 50% Business Rate Relief from 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022 [no cap]. The current package of 25% Business Rate Relief was designed for an open economy, post-Covid. The rise of the Omicron variant, increased restrictions and their impact on hospitality, leisure and retail, require a response from Government that mirrors lockdown support.
  • VAT Extension
    Extend the current VAT reduction for the hospitality sector of 12.5% through to 31st March 2023 to allow the sector to respond and support the re-emergence of the UK economy. The current rate of 12.5% allows businesses to achieve cost savings and most importantly of all for the economy and consumer confidence, not to pass the increased cost on allowing for the economy to recover once more in Spring 2022.
  • Provide Grants
    Introduce grants up to £15,000 by rateable value to businesses within the hospitality, retail and leisure sector to enable them to survive the festive and New Year trading period, plus the impending rent quarter date of 25th December 2021. The quoted £250 million in unspent grants is not consistent in level and would place disproportionate pressure on business, simply because of their location. Vast swathes of businesses would simply not receive a penny.

Thank you to Croydon BID, BID Foundation, British BIDs, ATCM, British Beer & Pub Association, UKHospitality and Night Time Industries Association who are the campaign founders.

Find out more here.

Plan B Guidance for the Hospitality Sector

Several changes have come into effect following the announcement of Plan B.

Covid Passes

From 15th December an NHS COVID pass is required for those aged 18 years or over to enter nightclubs, late-night dance venues and indoor events with 500 or more unseated attendees. This includes proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test in the last 48 hours or proof of exemption.

A toolkit with marketing resources for venues where proof of COVID status is mandatory for entry can be downloaded here.

Face Coverings

These are now required by law for customers and staff in various indoor settings, including:

  • Takeaway venues where there is no seating
  • Theatres and cinemas
  • Public areas in hotels where food and drink is not being consumed

Face coverings are not legally required in restaurants, pubs, bars and nightclubs although recommended in crowded indoor settings.

You can find the full Government Guidance for the hospitality sector here.

UKHospitality has provided helpful answers to Plan B FAQs, including how to perform a Covid-19 status check, keeping records and requirements for staff here.

Should you have any questions or require assistance please do get in touch with the Love Wimbledon team.

The Wimbledon Gift Card featured
on BBC London TV

 

The Wimbledon Gift Card has been featured on BBC London TV as having synergies with supporting the town centre throughout the Christmas shopping period. As the new work from home announcement came into effect on 13th December, it reported on the positive impact on Wimbledon Town Centre, including an interview with Elys, Wimbledon’s independent department store.

Love Wimbledon BID launched London’s first town centre gift card, ‘The Wimbledon Gift Card’, in late November to keep spending local and provide support to the high street businesses including theatres, shops, health & beauty and active enterprises in Wimbledon Town Centre.

www.wimbledongiftcard.com

Watch the video here.

 

For more information about The Wimbledon Gift Card or to register your business click here.

The Festive Spirit Returns to Wimbledon

Love Wimbledon has brought the festive spirit to Wimbledon Town Centre in the lead up to Christmas, attracting visitors to the town through activities and events and the launch of The Wimbledon Gift Card

 

Decorating the Town

Our magical, twinkling tree has returned outside Wimbledon Station bringing a smile to commuters and visitors passing by, while children and families have been captivated by our Spot the Golden Reindeer installation, which has seen Santa’s nine reindeer back again with a new twist to celebrate local theatres. Christmas lights have been switched on and planters refreshed with festive flowers, including Wimbledon’s first Living Pillar which has been updated with air-scrubbing plants! We have dressed up the shop fronts of empty units along The Broadway with planting and pops of colour, presenting a more attractive town centre.

The Wimbledon Gift Card 

Love Wimbledon has launched London’s first town centre gift card, designed to encourage local spend in Wimbledon and provide essential support to a range of high street businesses within the community. This is a positive addition to the town centre, promoting the depth and range of businesses to the strong community and provides the great gift of choice to reward employees and volunteers this Christmas. Used like a pre-paid Mastercard, it’s redeemable at over 30 brands, independents, restaurants, lifestyle, entertainment and cultural venues in Wimbledon Town Centre, including department store Elys, Prince of Wales Pub, Lush and Fitness Space. To find out more and order The Wimbledon Gift Card for your staff, click here or register your business to take part here.

Wimbledon Winter Weekender

Taking the place of our Winter Wonderland event, we created a reimagined community event this year – the Wimbledon Winter Weekender, which took place 27-28 November. Spread across two days, the event featured community choirs, dance performances, schools acts, face painting, steel pans music, Santa appearances, ice-carving and the very popular fireworks. Businesses lended their support to the event, with Centre Court Shopping Centre hosting the fireworks display and many families, children and visitors getting involved and enjoying the return of live events. We thank those who visited the town for this event and supported local, braving the cold weather and showing true festive spirit.

Christmas Markets on The Piazza

In their 10th year, our Christmas Markets are always a popular event. Providing that extra sparkle to The Piazza and offering the perfect opportunity to pick up unique Christmas gifts and deliciously hot festive food, we have two upcoming Friday markets, for employees to visit during their lunchbreaks or after work*. Local artisans offer a broad range of products, including original art, home décor, bespoke jewellery, clothing, candles and much more.

*Our last two Christmas Markets are Friday 10th December – Sunday 12th December and Friday 17th December – Sunday 19th December, 11am to 6pm each day.

We’d like to thank all the businesses that have come together to support the local community and the town this Christmas, whether it’s by donating to local organisations who help those in need, or sponsoring our activities and events, to deliver Christmas festivities in a new way this year. Thank you to The Piazza and Centre Court Shopping for sponsoring the Christmas Tree as well as our Golden Reindeer, plus Polka Theatre and New Wimbledon Theatre for also supporting the reindeer installation. A final thank you to Morrisons Solicitors and WSM for sponsoring the floral planters on The Piazza.

Support The Community This Christmas

We continue to be proud of Wimbledon businesses and their recognition of their role locally to help those in need in the community.  Efforts have continued on from the pandemic to help those who are struggling for food, shelter, clothing or access to technology for education.

Morrisons Community Champion has donated toys to Dons Local Action Group, food to YMCA Wimbledon, plus stationary and treats to Polka Theatre. Harnham HQ have continued their annual tradition of volunteering at Wimbledon Foodbank and local pubs The Alexandra and the Prince of Wales pub recently offered a meal for two and a bottle of wine for YMCA’s annual Star Awards on 18th November, to help celebrate the team’s hard work and dedication to their role over the last year.

There are a range of ways that your business and employees can get involved to help those who may struggle this winter, including donating to local charities and organisations, who work to reach those in need. See ideas below.

Shoebox Appeal

Until 11th December, South Western Railway staff are running their annual Shoebox Appeal in Wimbledon Station, collecting donations to support Merton Faith in Action (FiA) and their homeless drop-in centre. Fill a shoebox full of items that might be useful for those who are homeless, e.g. toothbrushes, toothpaste, socks, scarves, hats and non-perishable foods, then drop off your box at Wimbledon Station ticket hall.

Toy Donation

The Entertainer are accepting donations of plastic children’s toys (must be in good condition) which will be rehomed via The Salvation Army and Morrisons Wimbledon has set up a Toy Donation Station at the front of the store where toys will be donated via Dons Local Action Group. The Community Giving Christmas Tree, beside the toy donation point, is another great way to donate.

Furniture, Food and Technology

Dons Local Action Group welcomes donations of laptops for young people who do not have access to the internet via a computer at home, as well as furniture and food items. Originally formed by fans of AFC Wimbledon during the Covid-19 pandemic, the charity continues to collect food and essential items outside Morrisons Wimbledon, to deliver to those in need in the local community.

Wimbledon Foodbank provides three days of nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis. They are encouraging the local community to purchase a supermarket gift card, which will allow a family to buy the essentials for a Christmas dinner. Check out their weekly update of the urgent items that are needed here and read more ideas about how you can help struggling families this Christmas here.

Other local organisations that could benefit donations or volunteering assistance include:

Free Business Sustainability Support via The Mayor Of London

Supported by the Mayor of London, the new Better Futures+ programme provides qualifying London SMEs with a business support package worth £1000’s to help them plan to get to Net Zero.

Take advantage of business acumen, peer advice and information to help your business grow, cut costs and save the planet. Build resilience, innovation and success into your business and help create a better future. Places are limited and will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis.

Support includes:

  • An eight-part webinar series designed to help you navigate your way to Zero Carbon or Net Zero.
  • Free dynamic carbon footprint measuring tool to track your carbon and cost reductions, with adaptable downloadable graphs to use however you like.
  • Collaborative workshops with specialist consultants and like-minded peers.
  • Peer learning groups happening bi-weekly
  • Half a day with a specialist consultant to review your net zero transition plans (only eligible for some businesses)

This support is only available to London-based businesses with at least two full time employees and a turnover between £100K – £43 million.

Pre-registration closes on 10th December. Click here to sign up.

Merton Best Business Award-Winners 2021

After a one-year break, over 200 local business people gathered yesterday evening, 1st December, for the Merton Best Business Awards (MBBA) at the prestigious All England Tennis Club.

The MBBAs were redesigned for 2021 to recognise the challenges faced by businesses during the pandemic. A range of new categories and an easier application process attracted the highest ever number of applications in the Awards’ nine-year history – testament to the resilience and determination of Merton’s businesses in the face of such difficult operating conditions.

Helen Clark Bell, CEO of Love Wimbledon, said:

‘It was a brilliant evening and great to see businesses recognised for their resilience and celebrating together in person after a tough couple of years.’

 

Lu-Ma Café

Love Wimbledon BID business, Lu-Ma Café, scored a hat trick, coming away with category awards for ‘Star of the Year’ and ‘In the Face of Adversity’, and were crowned Overall Winner while Wimbledon Bookfest took home the ‘Arts & Culture’ award.

Wimbledon Bookfest

The Polka Theatre, The Wimbledon Group and Finling Associates Ltd were runners up for the ‘In the Face of Adversity’, ‘Arts & Culture’ and ‘Best Innovation and Customer Focus’ awards respectively.

A full list of winners and runners-up can be found on the Merton Best website here.

Love Wimbledon were proud to be gold sponsors of this event and sponsored the ‘In the Face of Adversity Award’, recognising business resilience over the last 18 months.