Originally written by Anna Jordan on Small Business
After almost a year of lockdowns and restrictions, coronavirus business support is still very much needed by firms across the UK.
We’ve gathered a list of government help, past and present, to let you know what is available to you.
Active
These funding and support opportunities are currently open. You can find further information within the links in the headings.
Deadlines are also outlined below.
Additional Restrictions Grant

Available for businesses that are not covered by other grant schemes or where additional funding is needed.

Deadline: Ongoing
Bounce Back Loan Scheme

Loans of between £2,000 and £50,000, up to 25 per cent of turnover
The government guarantees 100 per cent of the loan with no fees or interest to pay for the first 12 months. After 12 months the interest rate will be 2.5 per cent a year
Companies can now apply for a top-up in cases where they initially did not borrow the full amount available

Deadline: March 31 2021
> See also: Microbusiness £50,000 Bounce Back Loans – how they work
Business Rates Holiday

Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors in England will not have to pay business rates for the 2020-2021 tax year.

Deadline: April 6 2021
Commercial eviction ban

Landlords have been banned from turfing

Read more...

Originally written by Anna Jordan on Small Business
After almost a year of lockdowns and restrictions, coronavirus business support is still very much needed by firms across the UK.
We’ve gathered a list of government help, past and present, to let you know what is available to you.
Active
These funding and support opportunities are currently open. You can find further information within the links in the headings.
Deadlines are also outlined below.
Additional Restrictions Grant

Available for businesses that are not covered by other grant schemes or where additional funding is needed.

Deadline: Ongoing
Bounce Back Loan Scheme

Loans of between £2,000 and £50,000, up to 25 per cent of turnover
The government guarantees 100 per cent of the loan with no fees or interest to pay for the first 12 months. After 12 months the interest rate will be 2.5 per cent a year
Companies can now apply for a top-up in cases where they initially did not borrow the full amount available

Deadline: March 31 2021
> See also: Microbusiness £50,000 Bounce Back Loans – how they work
Business Rates Holiday

Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors in England will not have to pay business rates for the 2020-2021 tax year.

Deadline: April 6 2021
Commercial eviction ban

Landlords have been banned from turfing

Read more...

Originally written by Anna Jordan on Small Business
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has outlined social distancing recommendations for shops once we start coming out of lockdown.
They stress that it’s the responsibility of the business to decide what social distancing measures they’re going to implement based on what’s appropriate. Business owners should also be communicating with colleagues to reassure them of their safety within their roles.
Measures suggested below should be implemented alongside safety requirements like the Health and Safety at Work regulations.
Social distancing in and around stores
Outside store

Limit number of entry and exit points into and out of store. Consider having separate entrance and exit points if possible.
Limit the number of customers in the store at any time. Assess the size of the store and its layout, this will enable you to calculate the number of customers who can reasonably follow 2m social distancing.
Consider whether temporary barriers should be available in case it is necessary to stop people joining a queue.
Place clear signage outside of the store explaining the social distancing measures in place that customers should follow.
Place markings outside the store to assist correct queue spacings.
Speak to nearby premises to work together to manage possible shared queuing areas.
Consider non-contact

Read more...