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.