| Apply now for a business grant |
| If you are registered for business rates and have been told to close at any point since the November lockdown, make sure you have applied for a grant. Once submitted, we’ll assess your application for all grant schemes that are relevant to you. Businesses who have already been paid a grant since November, do not apply again as you will automatically be paid under the later schemes. Wet-led pubs, where less than 50% of income is derived from food, who have not yet received the additional £1,000 Christmas Support payment or been contacted by us will need to visit the website to make another application. The deadline for applications is Sunday 31 January. Please note, businesses found not complying with restrictions will not be eligible to receive a grant. For example, if you are open when you should be closed. |
| South Bristol Enterprise Support (SBES) offers vital support |
| Businesses in the south of the city are reminded that they can sign up for free SBES help. SBES offer a broad range of support, advice, mentoring and funding. Now, with a third lockdown in place and businesses facing a tough winter, south Bristol entrepreneurs and small to medium sized enterprises are being encouraged to sign up to the programme. Set up by Bristol City Council, YTKO, SSE, Knowle West Media Centre and the Princes’ Trust, the programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and combines advice, mentorship, business support and funding throughout south Bristol. If you own a business based in south Bristol, or are a budding entrepreneur who lives south of the river, visit the SBES website to find out more |
| Green Business Grants |
| West of England Green Business Grants support small to medium sized businesses and enterprises to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings and business operations. A grant could help you reduce harmful emissions that contribute to climate change, lower your energy bills and maintenance costs, as well as make your buildings healthier for your employees. You will be able to apply for up to £15,000 per business to pay for 40% of the eligible capital costs. A new grant round is scheduled to open soon. Visit the West of England Green Business Grants page to find out more and register your interest |
| Free webinar |
| We are holding a free webinar on Wednesday 20 January from 4pm to 5pm, for all Bristol-based retail, leisure, hospitality and close contact businesses (such as hairdressers). The session will be an opportunity to discuss the latest restrictions and support available, including grants with relevant Council officers. If you have an issue or question you would like to raise, please email business@bristol.gov.uk in advance so we can provide as much relevant information as possible. We are holding sessions every third Wednesday of the month at 4pm. Register for the free business support webinar now |
| Testing for your employees with symptoms |
| We have increased testing capacity in Bristol for people showing symptoms of COVID-19. Even during lockdown it’s important for people to get tested if they have symptoms, including a new continuous cough, high temperature or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. We have just introduced a new drive-through mobile testing unit at BAWA Leisure Centre in Filton and upgraded the site at Hengrove Leisure Park from a mobile testing unit to a walk-through local testing site. Testing for those with symptoms is also currently available at:Brislington Park and Ride (drive-through with a 2.1m height restriction)Victoria Rooms (walk-through at the back of the building)Netham Park (walk-through) Employees with symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate and not travel to work, but under the national lockdown rules they can still leave their home to have a test. Tests can be booked at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. Low income employees who are self-isolating and are unable to work from home may be eligible for a £500 grant as part of the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme. Visit our website to find out more about test and trace support payments |
| Quick updates |
| • The Supreme Court has delivered its judgment in the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA)’s business interruption insurance test case. This completes the legal process for impacted policies and means that many thousands of policyholders will now have their claims for coronavirus-related business interruption losses paid. Read the full press release on the FCA’s website • Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond to help their community during the pandemic? Or do you know an organisation that has been truly exceptional in providing COVID-19 support during the crisis? If you do, nominate them now for a Lord Mayor’s Medal as an accolade for all their hard work. Nominate a local hero for a Lord Mayor’s Medal • Businesses in the Redcliffe and Temple area of Bristol will be invited to vote to become a Business Improvement District (BID) in a ballot from 18 March to 15 April 2021. A successful outcome would result in over £5m of investment for the area over the BID term. Visit the Redcliffe and Temple BID webpage to read the full business plan • Bristol has made it on to the list of places to add to your Great British Bucket List in 2021. Find out what The Great British Bucket List say about Bristol and the other locations on the list • Make Music Day, the world’s largest DIY music festival, is a celebration of music taking place in June every year. Find out more about this year’s event at a free virtual meetup on Thursday 28 January from 3.15pm to 4.45pm • Travelwest’s Travel to Work survey takes place from 8 to 14 March across the West of England. Despite the current pandemic, Travelwest encourage you to register your business before Monday 1 February to take part. To find out more about sustainable travel advice and support for businesses in the west of England visit the Travelwest for Business website • Trading Better Online is a West of England Combined Authority (WECA) initiative which provides free, expert business support to develop and enhance your digital presence and increase online sales. Businesses are matched to a consultant and supported with up to four days of hands-on guidance, tailored to each company’s requirements. Find out more about Trading Better Online programme on the West of England Growth Hub • The application deadline for the second round of the Culture Recovery Fund is Tuesday 26 January. Grants between £25k and £3m are available to support cultural organisations. Visit the Arts Council England website for full details • The second round of the National Lottery Heritage Fund will offer grants between £10k and £3m to support organisations to reopen. The deadline for this round is 2pm, Tuesday 26 January. Visit the Heritage Fund website for details and the latest guidance |