• Employers can now claim for employees that were employed and on their PAYE payroll on or before 19 March 2020. This means that the employee must have been notified to HMRC through an RTI submission notifying payment in respect of that employee on or before 19 March 2020. 
  
  
• Employees that were employed as of 28 February 2020 and on payroll who were made redundant or stopped working for you after that, and prior to 19 March 2020, can also qualify for the scheme if you re-employ them and put them on furlough.

• A Government Gateway (GG) ID and password – if you don’t already have a GG account, you can apply for one online, or by going to GOV.UK and searching for 'HMRC services: sign in or register'.
  
  
• To be enrolled for PAYE online – if you aren’t registered yet, you can do so here, or by going to GOV.UK and searching for 'PAYE Online for employers'.
  
  
• The following information for each furloughed employee you will be claiming for: name, National Insurance number, claim period and claim amount, PAYE/employee number (optional).
  
  
• If you have fewer than 100 furloughed staff you will need to input information directly into the system for each employee. If you have 100 or more furloughed staff you will need to upload a file with information for each employee; HMRC will accept the following file types: .xls .xlsx .csv .ods
  
  

• Keep us informed if your business is customer-facing and is currently still open for essential needs, as well as letting us know of any changes in opening times or if you’re running any promotions e.g. special opening times for key workers. 
  
  
• Many businesses across the city are finding innovative and new ways to connect with their audiences whilst we stay at home from virtual tours to Facebook Live videos and launching delivery/takeaway services. Let us know what your business is doing and we can promote this across our channels.
  
  
• Now more than ever, it is important to work collaboratively to help get through this difficult time. If your business is supporting the community, vulnerable individuals or other businesses by donating goods, volunteering or offering discounted/free services get in touch with us so we can share this on our Visit Southampton and/or GO! Southampton channels as appropriate
  

• Newsquest’s ‘There With You’ campaign is helping businesses spread their message through a free advertisement across its Hampshire titles including the Southern Daily Echo. To find out how your business can take advantage of this offer and to register for your free ad go here. The deadline for booking is 1 May.
  
  
• Wave 105 has launched a directory entitled ‘Open for Business’ featuring essential businesses which are still open in the area. If your business is still operating you can take advantage of their promotion and upload a free 100 word listing which will be displayed here. It’s also worth noting that some businesses that are currently closed have still added a listing and are just marked as closed. You can register your business here. For enhanced promotion options please contact jimmy.young@wave105.com or richard.lebrocq@wave105.com. 
  
  
• Don’t forget to check your free business listing on visitsouthampton.co.uk (customer-facing businesses only) and let us know of any updates required via content@gosouthampton.co.uk.
  
  

• For Government guidance for businesses, employers and employees go here.
  
• Sign up for the Government’s specific business support email bulletins here.
  
• Sign up for general Government coronavirus email updates here.
• View the Council's latest coronavirus information here.
  
• Sign up for the Council's business e-newsletter here.
• Find out how your or your business can help support others during COVID-19 here.  
• Read changes to help prevent businesses from getting struck off Companies House here.
  
  

Other Useful Links

• Solent LEP are hosting free webinars to help businesses in the short and long term - view calendar here.
• See the Business South FAQ page on furloughing employees and the job retention scheme here.
• Cyber Crime is particularly prevalent during this time, view joint advisory from the National Cyber Security Centre and CISA to help protect your business here.
• View and download the Business Survival Guide 2020 by Enterprise Business South here.

Our Contact Information  

You can reach the BID team via info@gosouthampton.co.uk. If you have any queries at all, or if you think we might be able to help you with something specific, please do not hesitate to contact us.