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Trading Through Coronavirus

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This page has been created to provide you with guidance with links to essential information and available support for your business. This page will be updated on a regular basis as new information is available.

We’re here to help however we can.

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TRADING THROUGH CORONAVIRUS

Requiring people to stay at home, except for specific purposes.
Preventing gathering with people you do not live with, except for specific purposes.
Closing certain businesses and venues.

Until Thursday 5 November, the relevant Local Covid Alert Level (LCAL) measures will continue to apply in the area where you live. From Thursday the national restrictions replace the local restrictions in your area. No new areas will move in the LCAL 'Very High' restrictions between now and Thursday.

The new measures will apply nationally for four weeks up to Wednesday 2 December. At the end of the period, the UK government has said that it will look to return to a regional approach, based on the latest data.

Coronavirus workplace guidance

The government has updated its guidance for businesses on working safely during Coronavirus.

AVAILABLE SUPPORT

Supporting Our Members

Chamber Protect (Legal, HR, Tax and Health & Safety)

As Coronavirus (COVID -19) continues to impact the operations of organisations, we understand the importance to take the correct steps in order to support the governments strategy as well as your business. Our advisors can help you and your members. Call the Chamber HR advice line on 01455 852037 or alternatively, find out more about the Chamber Protect services here

FUNDING

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)

On the 5th of November, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak MP announced a five-month extension of CJRS, also known as the furlough scheme. The CJRS will now run until the end of March 2021 with employees receiving 80% of their current salary for hours not worked.

Find more information on:

•	the extension to the CJRS which ends on 31 March 2021;
•	which employees you can put on furlough to use the CJRS;
•	if you can claim for your employees’ wages using the CJRS;
•	the steps you need to take before calculating your claim;
•	how much you can claim; and
•	claiming for wages through the scheme.

The Job Support Scheme will not be introduced until after Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme ends.

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant extension

The SEISS grant was extended from 1 November 2020. Today, the Chancellor announced that support for millions more workers through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will be increased, with the third grant covering November to January calculated at 80% of average trading profits, up to a maximum of £7,500. Find out if you are eligible and how much you can get.

Business Grants

Business premises forced to close in England due to local or national restrictions will be eligible for the business grants as outlined here. Business grant policy is fully devolved. Devolved Administrations will receive Barnett consequentials which they could use to establish similar schemes.

Loan schemes

Application deadlines have been extended to January 31 2021 for the following schemes:

•	Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan;
•	Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan;
•	Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme; and
•	Coronavirus Future Fund.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People

The RNIB has put together guidance for service providers on how to make lockdown measures accessible to blind and partially sighted people and I have been asked to pass this on to my local Chamber of Commerce and FSB.

https://www.rnib.org.uk/services-for-businesses/supporting-blind-and-partially-sighted-customers

BT Small Business Support scheme

Support for UK SMEs to grow, following the disruption caused by COVID-19up to £2.5k available funding, to find out more visit BT’s website.

Small business leadership and problem solving programmes

Two new leadership programmes to help small business leaders grow their companies in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic have been launched: The Small Business Leadership Programme will equip business leaders with the confidence and leadership skills to plan for the future of their business, and ensure that they are in a great position to recover from the impacts of coronavirus. The Peer Networks Programme will focus on helping business owners improve their problem-solving skills, through a series of guided exercises. Members of the programme will be given skills in areas such as leadership and management, sales and marketing that they need to tackle these challenges head-on while growing their business.

Arts Council Grants

The Arts Council have recently re-opened their National Lottery Project Grants to help fund independent organisations, creative practitioners and freelancers. The fund is open until April 2021, for more information visit the Arts Council website.

British Chambers Coronavirus Resources

As the Coronavirus continues to impact the operations of businesses, the British Chambers team has collated information and resources from the UK government and the Chamber Network in an online support hub.