Monthly Archives: March 2021

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Where to get your small business Restart Grant worth up to £18,000

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Originally written by Anna Jordan on Small Business
The Government recently announced a Restart Grant for small businesses in England, launching this April.
What is the Restart Grant?
The Restart Grant is a new fund for business owners, helping them through what is hoped will be the final stages of Covid-19 restrictions.
It will replace the monthly Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) and Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open) – these will both close at the end of March.
Around 700,000 businesses in England will be eligible for the grant.
Commenting on the Restart Grant, Institute of Directors director general Jonathan Geldart said: “Restart grants and ongoing business rates relief give a cashflow boost to many firms that will struggle to make full productive use of their properties as restrictions linger.”
Mike Cherry, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said it was key that the very smallest businesses get hold of their Restart Grants.
How much will I get?
Non-essential retail will receive up to £6,000 per premises. Gyms, leisure, personal care, accommodation and hospitality businesses will receive up to £18,000.
The sum you’ll receive is based on your rateable value.

If your rateable value is £15,000 or less, you can claim up to £8,000
If it’s between £15,000 and £51,000, you

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Covid-19 roadmap – when can I reopen my small business in Wales?

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Originally written by Anna Jordan on Small Business
Mark Drakeford, the first minister of Wales, has announced the country’s first steps out of lockdown, including dates when some businesses could reopen.
As with England and Scotland’s roadmaps, reopening of schools takes priority. But unlike the others, Mark Drakeford has created a plan based on dates rather than numbered stages. That said, case numbers will have to stay low and certain conditions will need to be met in order to ease restrictions.
Here’s the current plan.
From March 13

The ‘stay home’ message will change to ‘stay local’. This means that people can travel in their local area – that’s usually within five miles
Outdoor sports facilities reopen including tennis courts, golf courses and bowling greens

From March 15

Hairdressers and barbers reopen to cut hair by appointment only

From March 22

Non-essential aisles in supermarkets reopen
Garden centres reopen

From March 27 (if review conditions are met)

Self-contained accommodation reopens for one household
‘Stay local’ guidance lifted and tourism reopens. This will allow people to travel within Wales

From April 12 (dependent on April 1 review)

All close contact services reopen
All non-essential retail reopens

No mention has been made for other sectors such as hospitality and theatres.
Will I get funding if my business has to

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UK-EU exports fell by over 40% in January 2021

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Originally written by Anna Jordan on Small Business
UK exports to the EU dropped by 40.7 per cent in January 2021, according to ONS figures.
This was the first month after the Brexit transition ended, with customs rules changing and firms contending with extra paperwork. The ONS added that imports were also down by 28.8 per cent (£6.6bn) in January.
> See also: How Brexit is going to affect your business – #2 exports
Much of this is likely to be what the ONS calls ‘temporary factors’. These include concerns around the outcome of the Brexit deal as well predictions of a third lockdown towards the end of 2020. Stockpiling in anticipation of these events were likely to contribute to a sharp rise and fall.
However, there were no similar falls in Britain’s trade in non-EU countries, suggesting that Brexit has been a greater contributing factor.
Yael Selfin, chief economist at KPMG UK, said that Brexit was the most likely reason for doing less business with EU countries, but she foresees a recovery: “The longer term [Brexit] impact on supply chains will depend on how attractive the UK remains and the competition from other locations within the EU,” she said.
The scale of the drop in exports is

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