01 April 2020 - Update #6
This is our latest email bulletin relating to the COVID-19 outbreak - for all the latest information about our services, how we can help you and links to national and local updates, please visit our dedicated webpage. This page also has our previous bulletins for you to review.
We Need Your Feedback
GO! Southampton in partnership with Southampton City Council, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, and the Federation of Small Businesses are asking you to help us understand how the recently announced Government funding is able to positively impact and support your business during this period of COVID-19. Please complete our survey here by 24th April.
We will work with both Southampton City Council and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to provide business insight into the COVID-19 interventions and raise concerns accordingly.
Applying For Grants
Southampton City Council have now put in place an online portal for businesses to apply for both the Small Business Grant and the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Grant. Outlined below are key criteria for both schemes to help get you started.
To apply for the Small Business Grant:
- Your business must already receive Small Business Rate Relief and/or Rural Rate Relief.
- Your business has to occupy property.
If you fulfil this criteria then click HERE and fill out the online form. Eligible businesses will receive a one-off grant of £10,000.
To apply for the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Grant:
- Your business must have a rateable value of under £51,000.
- Your business must be in the relevant sector. This includes premises which are mainly: shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs, clubs, drinking establishments, cinemas, live music venues, hotels, guest houses, or self-catering accommodation.
- Your business must pay Business Rates.
If you fulfil this criteria click HERE to fill out the online form. Eligible business with a rateable value less than £15,000 will receive £10,000 and properties with a rateable value of over £15,000 will receive £25,000.
Please note - the person applying for either of these grants must be the liable party on the current business rates account for that address. For further Government guidance details of these two schemes go here.
In addition to the above grant schemes, businesses in the retail, hospitality, leisure sector as well as nurseries will not have to pay business rates for the 2020-21 tax year. This reduction will be applied automatically. If businesses have not received an amended bill by 3 April 2020 they should email business.rates@southampton.gov.uk.
Southampton City Council Appeals
Southampton City Council are appealing for businesses to donate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).If your business has any of the following items (unused) please email Rob.Gloyns@southampton.gov.uk: - Gloves
- Disposable aprons
- Face masks
Foodbanks across the country are working hard to help feed the most vulnerable during this time and are seeking donations. If you business has any unwanted non-perishable food items email Sara.Crawford@southampton.gov.uk.
Useful Links
- For Government guidance for businesses, employers and employees go here
- Sign up for government email updates here
- Find out about the Government's new WhatsApp service here
- View the Council's latest coronavirus information here
- View the Council's specific updates about Business Rates here
- Sign up for the Council's business e-newsletter here
- Visit Britain / Visit England have published advice specifically for tourism and event businesses - view here
- View legal advice and guidance from Paris Smith LLP here
- For helpful advice from ACAS on employment issues go here
- For NHS coronavirus advice and information go here
- The Association of Convenience Stores has issued some useful guidance for smaller retailers looking to offer home delivery services - view it here
- View information on fraud and scams on the Action Fraud page here.
- Solent LEP have launched a crowdfunder 'Pay It Forward' programme to help micro and small businesses financially. Read more here.
Our Contact Information
You can reach the BID team via info@gosouthampton.co.uk. Contact details for individual team members are on our website here.
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.
