Coronavirus (Covid-19): Advice and support for local businesses

Covid-19 business support update

On 21 December 2021 the Chancellor announced a £1billion fund to support businesses in the hospitality sector as the UK tackles rising cases of the Omicron variant. We are currently waiting for details on funding allocations and will update you as soon as we have more information

The recent move to Plan B means that:

face coverings are required by law in most indoor settings
office workers who can work from home should do so
certain venues and events are required by law to check that all visitors aged 18 years or over are fully vaccinated, have proof of a negative test in the last 48 hours, or have an exemption.

Further information for businesses can be found on GOV.UK Businesses and venues

Covid-19 business grants

Need business advice or support?

Contact our H&F Business Helpdesk via email, call 020 8753 5585 or visit our business support web page.

Business Connects e-newsletter

Read our latest e-newsletter

Are you a food business in H&F offering delivery or takeaway options?

Promote your offer to local residents and get new customers by adding your business to our H&F Food Guide.

Shop Local, Shop Safe

We’re doing everything we can to support our amazing local H&F businesses through the pandemic with our Shop Local Shop Safe campaign. It forms part of the work we’re doing as a council to protect all our residents, both young and old, in this crisis.

FAQs

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions (FAQs) which will give you all the information you need to help run your business during the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

All links in the following FAQs open in a new window or tab.

What financial support is available for my business?

Use the GOV.UK business support finder to find out what financial support your business is eligible for.

See Covid-19 business grants for further information.

How do I apply for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme?

Get all the latest Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme information here.

How do I apply for the Self Employment Income Support Scheme?

Get all the latest Self Employment Income Support Scheme information here.

What business grant funding is available?

See Covid-19 business grants for further information.

How do I apply for the Kickstart scheme?

We can now help you get funding from the Kickstart scheme to pay for 6-month job placements in your business for local young people aged 16 to 24 who are currently on Universal Credit.

You can only apply directly for the government scheme if your business is creating more than 30 placements. Apply for Kickstart scheme here.

We are here to help businesses creating less than 30 job placements access the funding and help provide valuable work opportunities to young people in H&F.

So if you are a small business in H&F and would like to offer a job placement on the Kickstart scheme, please get in touch now with our WorkZone team at info@workzoneonline.co.uk or call 020 8753 6773.

Which businesses have the Government asked to remain closed to help stop the spread of the coronavirus?

You can find the list of businesses on the GOV.UK website.

How can I protect my business, customers and employees?

All the public health guidelines to give your staff, including what to do if an employee suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 has been to work, can be found on the GOV.UK guidance for employers and businesses page.

I need some business advice, where can I get help?

Please contact the H&F Business Support Desk via email at business-support@lbhf.gov.uk or call and leave a message on 020 8753 5585.

We can provide you with free advice from a business expert online or by phone or signpost you to other support.

If you’re an established business of 18 months or more or self-employed with a Unique Tax Reference (UTR) and are looking for some in-depth 1-2-1 business resilience advice, please contact our resident London Business Hub advisor Raj Tandon via email for an online support session.

How do I reclaim for the sick pay I give my employees off work due to COVID-19?

More information is available on the GOV.UK COVID-19 support for businesses page.

I’m worried I won’t be able to pay my taxes?

If you have missed a tax payment or you might miss your next payment due to COVID-19, please call HMRC’s dedicated helpline: 0800 0159 559.

Businesses will not need to make VAT payments for three months. The deferral will apply from 20 March 2020 until 30 June 2020.

Self-employed people are eligible for the Income Tax Self-Assessment deferral. Payments due on the 31 July 2020 will be deferred until 31 January 2021.

Find out more about tax payments here

Will my insurance cover protect my business during the coronavirus outbreak?

Check the terms and conditions of your insurance policy and contact your insurance provider for more details.

How do larger firms get help for short-term finance issues?

All UK businesses can apply for the Government’s COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility. We’re awaiting details from the Government on how businesses will be able to apply for the funding. Visit the Bank of England website for more information.

Where can I find more information on the Government’s business support measures?

More information is available on GOV.UK's guidance page for employees, employers and businesses.

How do I avoid the risks of problems such as Legionella when reopening my business?

During the lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic, many business premises have been temporarily closed and may not have been occupied for some time. Water lying in pipes and other water systems may have allowed Legionella bugs to grow.

Find out about preventing Legionella.

We have also

Provided a three-month rent deferment to our commercial tenants and market traders in the borough. We will be working with these businesses to come up with a fair payment plan.
Helped keep our popular North End Road market open by providing stewards to support social distancing. We’ve also delivered PPE and handwashing facilities to the traders so we can keep this important source of healthy, cheap food available to residents.
We’ve shared stay at homes and safe distancing posters with local businesses to help them keep their employees and customers safe. Download and print our A4 Practise Safe Distancing poster (pdf 88KB).