Coronavirus- Business Overview

Updates on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, measures that are being put in place and how they will affect you and your business.

The Government has also detailed it's ongoing plan to deal with the pandemic during the spring months in the document COVID-19 Response- Spring 2021

Published February 2021

COVID-19 Response- Spring 2021

(PDF)

Face Coverings

Face coverings are now mandatory in shops and supermarkets in England. The rule also applies to many employees in retail and hospitality industries.

Read government advice on how to make you own face covering

Guidance for Better Mental Health

The coronavirus might affect not only your physical wellbeing but also your mental health. Take a look at a discussion about guarding your mental health during the coronavius pandemic from rehab4addiction.

Find out more

Latest

The nationwide lockdown is still in effect, with many businesses closed. However, the government has now outlined its plan to reopen businesses and venues over the coming months. Below is a summary of the government's plan, which is subject to ongoing reviews and assessments.

Find out more at gov.uk

Reopening Businesses and Venues

When Can My Business Reopen?

Step One

From 8 March

Certain businesses eligible to host childcare and supervised activities for children will be able to host these activities providing that doing so is a necessary form of childcare.

From 29 March

Some indoor and outdoor sporting venues will open, people can use these venues in a group of six people, or with members of up to two households.

Outdoor sporting events will be allowed, providing that they are run in a way that is covid-secure.

Step Two

No earlier than 12 April

Many types of businesses and venues are expected to reopen, including:

Non-essential retail
Personal care facilities and close contact services
Indoor sports and leisure facilities
Self-contained holiday accommodation for single households/support bubbles
Outdoor areas at hospitality venues
Outdoor attractions
Public buildings
Childcare activities not included in step one
Covid-secure outdoor gatherings and events

Step Three

No earlier than 17 May

Further businesses and venues are expected to reopen, including:

Indoor areas of hospitality venues
Indoor entertainment and visitor attractions
Remaining outdoor entertainment events
Remaining holiday accommodation
Covid-secure elite sporting events and performances (with restrictions on capacity)

Step Four

No earlier than 21 June

Remaining businesses and venues are expected to reopen, including nightclubs and adult entertainment venues.

Additionally, restrictions on social contact and large events may be lifted, subject to government reviews.

Other Helpful Tools

Postcode Checker

This feature on gov.uk allows you to find out what coronavirus restrictions are in place in your local area and how they affect you and your business.

Go to postcode checker

Alert Levels

There are three alert levels which determine the restrictions that will be put in place in local areas. The alert levels are rated as medium, high and very high.

Each alert level brings specific restrictions into force, so it's important you understand the measures that are in place in your local area.

Find out more about alert levels

Working Safely During Coronavirus

Further guidance on working safely during coronavirus is available on gov.uk. This includes specific guidance for your work sector and how to make your business 'COVID-secure'.

Working safely during coronavirus

Track and Trace QR Codes

Businesses that have customers and visitors come to there venue or premises can display official NHS QR code posters as an alternative to customers providing their contact details for the track and trace system.

Create a coronavirus NHS QR code for your venue

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) has now been extended until 30 September 2021.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has now been extended until 30 September 2021.

The government will to continue paying 80% of employees' wages for hours they cannot work

Employers will be asked to contribute 10% in July and 20% in August and September

Claim for wages through the Job Retention Scheme

Find out more about changes to the scheme

Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS)

This scheme has now been extended until the end of September.

The Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) has now been extended until September with a fourth grant covering the period February to April, and a fifth and final grant from May onwards.

The fourth grant will provide three months of support at 80% of average trading profits.

For the fifth grant, people will continue to receive grants worth three months of average profits, with the system open for claims from late July.

When the scheme was launched, the newly self-employed couldn’t qualify because they hadn’t all filed the 2019-20 tax return.

However, the government has announced if you are self-employed and have filed your 2020-21 return, you will be eligible to claim the fourth and fifth grants.

It is expected that more that 600,000 more people will be eligible to apply for SEISS grants than previously.

Find out more about the fourth grant

Please Note: If you make a claim, you must process the claim yourself- your agent or accountant can not process the claim on your behalf.

Our Services

At this time, we're working hard to support our clients in the best way we can. We're doing this in the following three ways:

1

Social Distancing

Please note that we are currently not arranging any face-to-face meetings. Our team and Subcontractors are working from home and maintaining contact in other ways.

We can stay connected over the phone or arrange a video meeting using Skype or Zoom.

We have also added a booking feature on our website allowing you to book a virtual meeting or conversation with us.

2

Keeping You Updated

We are working hard to keep in contact with our clients to inform them of new government measures or direction that specifically applies to them, such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme or Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).

We are also ensuring that helpful advice can be found on our website and by logging in to your online portal.

3

Supporting You

Many of our clients have been able to apply for financial support as part of government measures.

We are working hard to guide our clients through the process and help to access the help you're entitled to. Our clients can speak with us to discuss the Job Retention Scheme and its affects to your business.

Please Note: If you are self-employed, we cannot calculate what you are entitled to as part of the Self- employment Income Support Scheme. Your eligibility for this scheme and the amount you receive are determined by HMRC. On request, we can provide your figures from previous financial years and guidance on applying for Universal Credit.

Find out more about our online services

Business Loans

Businesses that require further financial support to deal with the affects of coronavirus may be eligible to apply for a loan. The British Business Bank is now making business loans available as part of the government's plan to support businesses.

Future Fund

Convertible loans from £250,000
From £125,000 to £5m in government support
Third-party investors must at least match government support, with no maximum investment limit
Companies need to have previously raised £250,000+ in equity investment

Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS)

For small to medium businesses, micro businesses and other businesses requiring smaller loans
Looking for between £2,000 and £50,000
Term loan repaid over six years
No set-up fees and first 12 months of interest payments covered by government
No repayments during the first 12 months

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)

For smaller businesses with a turnover of less than £45m
Looking for up to £5m in finance
Business loans, overdrafts, invoice finance & asset finance available
First 12 months of interest and lender-levied fees covered
More than 50 accredited lenders

Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS)

For larger businesses with a group turnover of more than £45m
Looking for up to £200m in finance
Business loans, overdrafts, invoice finance & asset finance available
Repayment terms of up to three years
Delivered by lenders accredited by the British Business Bank

Find out more about these schemes

Get More Info

Get more information by following the links below