Information and support for businesses during COVID-19
In this special edition of the Council’s business e-bulletin, read about the Business Grants that are currently available, view the Councils business grant guidance seminar and join the Friends against Scams. Additionally, you’ll find information about a range of local business groups and events ready to support your business.
The information in this e-bulletin is accurate on 17 February 2021.
Stay informed at www.bromley.gov.uk/Covid-19BusinessSupport
National lockdown : Stay at home
The London Borough of Bromley, along with the rest of England, is now in National Lockdown.
For more information read the full guidance.
Business grant guidance seminar
On Friday 5 February the Council held its first business grant seminar to help businesses navigate their way through the various business support grants available to them.
The seminar was very well received by local businesses and a recorded version of the event can be viewed here.
Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open) – now ‘live’
This grant is available to businesses with a rateable value in the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors that remained open, but were severely impacted by restrictions during the periods of local Tier 2 and Tier 3 restrictions.
This scheme will remain open for 2 weeks and funding will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
For more information, including the eligibility criteria and the application form, please visit LRSG (Open).
Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG)
There are several streams of support for this phase of the Councils discretionary ARG scheme.
- Independent Public Houses, Bars and Licensed Social and Sports Clubs. This scheme is now live. We are inviting independent pubs, bars and licensed sports and social clubs to apply for this support payment. If you are successful applying for this grant you will not be eligible for the Business Hardship Fund. For the full eligibility criteria and the application form please visit Independent Pubs, Bars and licensed Sports and Social Clubs
- Lockdown Top Up Grant. Additional funding will be provided to supplement the existing Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) Addendum : Tier 4. This supplementary funding is for non-essential retail, leisure, personal care, sports facilities and hospitality businesses which were eligible under the LRSG (Closed) Addendum : Tier 4. You do not need to contact the Council with regards to this, we will contact eligible businesses.
- Business Innovation Grant Scheme. Funding that businesses can ‘bid’ for to help innovate and support businesses as we emerge from this difficult period. Applications for this scheme are expected to open early March 2021. A business plan will need to be submitted.
For information on the status of all the grants The Council is administering on behalf of Government, please visit business grants during COVID.
More Government financial support announced
The Chancellor has announced that Bounce Back loan borrowers will now have greater flexibility to repay their loans. The Pay as you Grow repayment flexibilities now include the option to delay all repayments for a further 6 months and enable borrowers to extend their loans from 6 to 10 years.
For more information visit here.
A new £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund has been announced to help small businesses with changes to trade rules with the EU. For more information about this fund and other support available such as helplines and webinars, visit Brexit Support Fund.
Scam Awareness
Take part in an online awareness session run by the National Trading Standards Scams Team. By taking part you will learn about the different types of scams and how to spot and support a victim of these scams.
Become a Friend against Scams by clicking here.
If you receive a suspicious email then forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk
You should then block the sender and delete the email.
Do not reply and do not click on any links or open attachments.
You should forward suspicious text messages on to your service provider on 7726
If you would like a copy of the new Bromley Trading Standards Alert! Newsletter, please email trading.standards@bromley.gov.uk
Business Events and Webinars
Successful Mums Career Academy
Looking for work?
The back to work and digital course is ideal if you have been made redundant and looking for work or you are returning to work after a break. This course provides the whole package: CV support, career advice, options for a new career, interview techniques, the digital skills employers are looking for along with links to local employers and guest speakers. Register your interest in our back to work training course today.
Have a business idea but not sure where to start?
If you’ve been inspired by the recent lockdowns and have a business idea you’d like to bring to life, join our FREE start-up business course. From writing a business plan to improving self-confidence and 121 careers coaching, the course also covers essential digital skills. With funding to help mums in Bromley, register your interest for our FREE Start-up business online course today.
Need help pivoting your business in lockdown?
If you already have a business, some digital skills, social profiles and would like help pivoting or promoting your business during this time, you may be eligible for our FREE Digital Promotion for Business Mums online course instead. Covering all the bases for marketing a business including campaigns, you’ll be scheduling social media posts from day one of this 6 week course.
Online and flexible
All our courses are delivered online and flexibly, so home schooling and family commitment are still accommodated. Take advantage of the funding for Bromley with these free courses. Register your interest on one of the links above today or visit our website www.successfulmums.co.uk to see more of what we do.
Rotary Club Work Club
Do you live in the Borough of Bromley? Is your job at risk or have you lost your job through COVID? The Rotary Work Club initiative returns with a series of FREE online workshops to support those who have lost their jobs or businesses due to the impact of Covid19. For more information on dates and topics covered and to book your place please email – rotaryworkclub@gmail.com
Start Up/Step Up London
Do you have a business idea or thinking about becoming self-employed? The Start Up Step Up London programme will help you get started. Delivered by Capital City College Training (CCCT), participants will benefit from a ground-breaking start-up programme, targeted skills training and one-to-one coaching and mentoring.
For more information visit the London Business Hub.
London Growth Hub COVID-19 Business Help Series
The London Growth Hub continues to offer a range of FREE Webinars designed to guide London’s small businesses as they navigate the challenges of COVID-19.
Next webinar : Wednesday 17 February 10am – 4.30pm – Harness the power of social media to grow your business – part 2
Investment Readiness Programme
If you’re a young company just getting set up or one that’s been in business for a short time but has yet to make any commercial sales, and you’re looking to find investment – this free programme is for you. For more information on this programme and your suitability, please visit London Business Hub.
HMRC’s Live Webinar Series
Register for the free webinars to learn more about the support available to help deal with the economic impact of Coronavirus. Live webinars include information on making a claim under CJRS, the Job Retention Bonus and help with the Self Employment Income Support Scheme.
Register here.
Orpington Virtual Business Forum | Every Tuesday | 10:00am
Orpington 1st BID’s weekly webinars will discuss a variety of business support measures and includes a panel answering questions. For more info and to register click here
1230 TWC | Every Wednesday | 12:30pm
Currently 1230 TWC is holding weekly virtual meetings with supportive informative speakers. Everyone gets an opportunity to introduce themselves and there’s an opportunity for brainstorming too.
A list of local networking groups can also be found on our website
https://www.bromley.gov.uk/directory/16/business_-_local_networking_groups
Bromley Business Support Team
Town Centre Management & Business Support,
London Borough Bromley B42a St Blaise, Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley BR1 3UH
Email: business@bromley.gov.uk
Disclaimer: Please note the editor has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the contents of this e-bulletin, but we cannot always verify the authenticity of information that we receive from other organisations or individuals contained in the notices that we circulate within the Bromley Business e-bulletin. Readers should therefore independently satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of any information set out in such notices, as the London Borough Bromley will not accept any liability for inaccuracies contained in the information provided.