| The latest Business News from Bristol City Council is here: New Restart Grants Following the Chancellor’s announcement in the Budget on 3 March, we’re now able to share details of the Restart Grant, which aims to support businesses to reopen safely as COVID-19 restrictions are eased across the country. The Restart Grant replaces the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) scheme for closed businesses on the rating list. It is a one-off payment, dependent on the rateable value of your business on 1 April 2021. Payments are split across two strands: Non-essential retail premises: Rateable value of your premises Grant payment Up to £15,000 £2,667 £15,001 – £50,999 £4,000 £51,000 and above £6,000 Hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym business premises: Rateable value of your premises Grant payment Up to £15,000 £8,000 £15,001 – £50,999 £12,000 £51,000 and above £18,000 Businesses who have received a grant payment since November, will automatically receive the Restart Grant and do not need to apply again, though we may contact some for further information. We cannot make any payments under this scheme before 1 April. Once audit checks are complete, we will process payments. If you haven’t yet applied for a grant, please apply for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) Addendum. Once submitted, we’ll assess your application for all grant schemes that are relevant to you. Please allow four weeks from application to receiving payment, before getting back in touch with us. Growth Grants The application window for the new Business Growth Grants from the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) is now open. The fund is open for two weeks, closing on 4 April 2021. Grants of between £1,500 and £6,000 are available to all small and medium-sized businesses regardless of size or sector, who have growth plans in place but need support to get them off the ground. The grants can be used to help your business purchase new equipment, create new services and adopt new processes or ways of working. All projects should help to increase your outputs or turnover, support new operations or processes to create new employment opportunities or maintain employment. To be eligible, businesses must: Be located and have a trading address in the West of England region. Have at least one year of submitted accounts and have been trading for no less than 12 months. Be able to provide at least 20 per cent match funding. To find out more visit the West of England Growth Hub website, where you will find further information on eligibility, what the grant can be used for and how to apply. Cultural and creative support A new programme for freelancers and small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) who work in the creative industries is set to begin in April. The WECA Cultural and Creative Business Support Programme offers support for individuals and management teams to update operating and financial models and business plans through mentoring, peer networks and training and workshops. Creative freelancer grants will give self-employed people the opportunity to develop their own creative product, practice or service in response COVID-19. Grants range from £1,000 to £3,000. Creative business grants will fund creative projects that support recovery and resilience, employ freelance creatives, engage local communities and advance diversity and inclusion. Grants range from £5,000 to £10,000. Visit the West of England Growth Hub to find out more about the business support initiatives and register your interest to receive notifications when further guidance is available. Grant funds open in April 2021. Creative Scale Up programme The fourth cohort of WECA’s Creative Scale Up programme will open later this year. Creative Scale Up provides businesses with six-months of bespoke intensive support. Over 60 businesses have already benefitted from industry expert mentoring, grants to enable resilience and growth, plus peer-to-peer networking, workshops and investor pitching guidance. Visit the West of England Growth Hub to check your eligibility and to find out more about the Creative Scale Up programme. Applications for the next cohort will open later in 2021. If you wish to be notified when the applications open, please complete this Expression of Interest form. £500 grants available for eligible low-income workers You can apply for a £500 grant if you have lost income due to self-isolating. You must be in low-paid employment or self-employment and unable to work from home. You can now also apply for the grant if you are caring for a child who is self-isolating. To be eligible for a Test and Trace Support Payment you must either: Have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the COVID-19 app. Be looking after a child under 16 years of age who usually attends an educational or childcare setting but is self-isolating on or after 8 March 2021. Be looking after someone under 26 years of age with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) who usually attends an educational setting but is self-isolating on or after 8 March 2021. You must also be receiving one of the following: Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit. If you don’t receive one of the benefits, discretionary payments may be available if you meet all other criteria. Find out more about Test and Trace Support Payments. One-stop Bristol recruitment service One Front Door is a single-entry point for jobseekers and organisations looking to access recruitment support and opportunities. Visit Eventbrite to register for the free launch event on 24 March. The event includes information on how to refer to the service, and an overview of what it offers including its job fairs, training opportunities and community events. For more information contact One Front Door on 0117 9223440 or email onefrontdoor@bristol.gov.uk Quick updates • The Brexit Support Fund is now open to applications from small and medium-sized businesses with up to 500 employees and no more than £100 million annual turnover. Grants of up to £2,000 are available to help you get professional advice so your business can meet its customs, excise, import VAT or safety and security declaration requirements. Visit the GOV.UK website to check your eligibility and to apply. • Black South West Network (BSWN) are holding a COVID business recovery and support webinar on Tuesday 30 March, 5.30pm to 7pm. Register on Eventbrite to attend the BSWN webinar. • Life Cycle UK provide free, secure cycle stands to businesses and community organisations, thanks to funding from the council. Installing cycle parking is a great way to drive footfall to your premises, create cycle-friendly workplaces and give back to your community. You can apply for free Sheffield bike stands on the Life Cycle UK website. |