Business Support

To support businesses in this challenging time, we will have regular updates on this page to provide factual information for businesses.

We send regular tourism industry email updates to members and non-members. If you are a non-member you can subscribe to our regular updates here: http://eepurl.com/gZ6zU1. Members will receive them automatically.

The VisitEngland Business Advice Hub also contains lots of useful resources for tourism businesses:

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Latest Updates

5/5/2021

Run a tourism business in the Bury St Edmunds area? Subscribe to our Local Tourism Industry email updates at http://eepurl.com/gZ6zU1. If you are a BSE&Beyond member, no need to subscribe, you get these automatically.

9/4/2021

Launch of Yes 2 Test - Suffolk businesses are being encouraged to protect themselves by getting their staff tested for COVID-19 twice a week, as part of a new campaign launched this week. https://yes2test.co.uk/

8/4/2021

Payment Indoors - Hospitality Update - The Guidance for Restaurants, Pubs & Bars has been updated under section 2.3.2 with information on managing customer payment at the venue.

6/4/2021

Business Restart Grants - West Suffolk Council is automatically paying this grant to eligible businesses who have previously successfully applied for the Government's restrictions grants. For full details visit https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support/business-restart-grants.cfm

5/4/2021

Step 2 of the Roadmap out of Lockdown Confirmed - Full guidance on reopening business and venues in England can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reopening-businesses-and-venues-in-england

26/2/2021

Further to the release of the UK Government’s COVID-19 four-step plan to ease lockdown in England, new guidance on reopening businesses and venues in England has been published. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reopening-businesses-and-venues-in-england/reopening-businesses-and-venues

26/2/2021

VisitBritain have announced today that businesses in the UK registered to the ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard scheme are now automatically eligible for the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) international ‘Safe Travels’ stamp. https://www.visitbritain.org/uk-businesses-registered-were-good-go-get-global-safe-travels-stamp

22/2/2021

The Prime Minister today announced his road map out of Lockdown, which focused on four key steps, with at least 5 weeks between each step. Further details here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021

12/1/2021

West Suffolk Council has announced the latest grants to support businesses through Covid. There is the Local Restrictions Support Grant, Closed Business Lockdown Payment, plus they have reopened the Additional Restrictions Grant for many businesses who were not eligible for other grants.

Visit https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support/ for more details and how to apply.

If you have any queries regarding the application criteria or process then call 01284 776333 or if you require digital assistance to complete the form then please call West Suffolk Council's Customer Services on 01284 763233, option seven.

Any business in the West Suffolk area concerned about their specific circumstances or confused about where they can go for support can email economic.development@westsuffolk.gov.uk or phone 01284 757114.

For businesses based in Mid Suffolk or Babergh Council areas, please visit https://www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/business/business-rates/grant-funding-schemes/ for guidance.

5/1/2021

£4.6 billion in new lockdown grants to support businesses and protect jobs - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/46-billion-in-new-lockdown-grants-to-support-businesses-and-protect-jobs

Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are to receive a one-off grant worth up to £9,000, the Chancellor has announced.

4/1/2021

The Prime Minister has announced that England will go into a full national lockdown from midnight tonight.

Details of what you can and cannot do during this time can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home




Update Pixaby

24/12/2020

By now many of you will know Suffolk will move to Tier 4 from 26 December 2020.

West Suffolk Council is seeking further information from Government with regard to Tier 4 business grants but hospitality, accommodation and leisure businesses should still apply at westsuffolk.gov.uk/c19business

Retail and other businesses, keep an eye on the webpage above for updates from 4 January.


26/11/2020

It has been confirmed today that Suffolk will be in Tier 2 when lockdown ends on December 2nd.

Under the rules holiday accommodation can still open and people can still travel but there are some further restrictions for hospitality in Tier 2. For the full restrictions visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know

20/11/2020

Details of a new Additional Restrictions Grant, designed to help local businesses and traders, including some who have not been eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG), can be found at: https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support/additional-restrictions-grant-phase-1.cfm

9/11/2020

Information for businesses in West Suffolk on Local Restrictions Support Grants available to those that have had to close due to lockdown has been released. Further information and the application form can be found here: bit.ly/2JRlrUH.

5/11/2020

A definitive list of which businesses can and cannot stay open during the 2nd lockdown can be found at https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1200/schedule/made

31/10/2020

A second national lockdown for England has been announced today by the Prime Minister which will start on Thursday (November 5) until Wednesday December 2.

Details of the new restrictions can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been extended for a month with employees receiving 80% of their current salary for hours not worked and further economic support announced. Details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/furlough-scheme-extended-and-further-economic-support-announced

22/9/2020

The PM has announced the following rules from Thursday in England:

• The planned reopening of conferences, exhibitions and events on 1st Oct has been suspended

• Pubs, restaurants and bars will have to close at 10pm (except for takeaway deliveries)

• Only “table-only” service will be allowed at pubs, restaurants and bars

• Staff in retail and indoor hospitality will have to wear masks

• The Covid-secure workplace guidance will become a legal obligation

• The number of people able to attend a wedding is being reduced to 15 from the previous 30

• The £10,000 fines imposed on those who don't quarantine will now be applied to businesses and the penalty for failing to wear a mask or breaking rule of six will double to £200.

• Exemptions to the “rule of six” will be reduced.

• People have been asked to work from home if they can.

He also announced that these new restrictions will most likely be in place for six months.

Here’s a copy of the Prime Minister’s Statement to Parliament:

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-commons-statement-on-coronavirus-22-september-2020

A few clarifications from this:

• The restriction on people attending Weddings is from Monday 28 September 2020.

• Take-aways will be subject to the 10pm curfew – it is deliveries that are exempt.

• Staff and customers in indoor hospitality will have to wear mask except when seated at a table to eat or drink.

11/9/2020
Primary Guidance Updated for Rule of Six - While we await detailed tourism-related guidance, the general principle is that businesses that are operating in accordance with current Covid-Secure guidance will be able to continue doing so as they are now, provided that individual groups of visitors/guests obey the Rule of Six. For example, pubs, restaurant, attractions will continue to be able to host people at their current capacity provided that individual groups of customers obey the Rule of Six. For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19

25/8/2020

MENTA are running a number of social media courses in the autumn. Visit https://store.menta.org.uk/collections/training. You can book online.

25/8/2020

Join Bury St Edmunds and Beyond for Just £50!

For full details of what your membership includes download our membership information here. To join now please click here to complete a membership form, we will then send you an invoice and get you set up on our website.

17/8/2020

Public Health England has published guidance on what people should do if they fall ill whilst away on holiday. You can find the guidance here; https://www.visitengland.com/planning-holiday-in-england

15/7/2020

VisitBritain and VisitEngland have launched a UK-wide industry standard and consumer mark to provide a ‘ring of confidence’ for tourism as the sector works towards reopening.

The ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard and supporting mark means businesses across the sector can demonstrate that they are adhering to the respective Government and public health guidance, have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment and check they have the required processes in place. The scheme is FREE to join and open to all businesses across the sector.

To obtain the mark businesses must complete a self-assessment through VisitEngland's online platform including a check-list confirming they have put the necessary processes in place, before receiving certification and the ‘We’re Good To Go’ mark for display in their premises and online. https://www.visitbritain.org/business-advice/were-good-go-industry-standard

12/7/2020

We are supporting the VisitEngland public information campaign 'Know before you go' and have our own page of advice for visitors as we start to welcome them back https://bit.ly/2NS09F1.

24/6/2020

This morning the Government has published guidance for the visitor economy for people who work in hotels and guest accommodation, indoor and outdoor attractions, and business events and consumer shows: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/the-visitor-economy.
There is also specific advice for hotels and other guest accommodation https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/hotels-and-other-guest-accommodation

11/6/2020
VisitEngland are hosting a series of FREE business recovery webinars for tourism businesses to help you get back on track following the coronavirus pandemic.Visit their website to book: https://www.visitbritain.org/visitbritainvisitengland-business-recovery-webinar-programme?utm_source=vbve_enews_10_06_2020&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=vbve_10_06_2020

03/06/2020
The government has published new guidance on the introduction of flexible furlough from 1 July. You can read it here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-extends-self-employment-support-scheme-and-confirms-furlough-next-steps

19/05/2020
How has COVID-19 affected UK tourism? Industry leaders gave their views to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee this morning. Watch the discussion here:
https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/1eb56332-0a9b-40dc-b5e4-f0978415c119

12/5/2020
Businesses looking for advice on working safely during the pandemic can check out the latest government guidance here. Eight types of work are covered: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19

12/5/2020
The Chancellor has today announced that the job retention scheme will be extended, for four months, until the end of October. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-extends-furlough-scheme-until-october

11/5/2020
Starting this Wednesday, applications will be open for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. Use the online checker to see if you're eligible and have the money in your account by 25th May. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme

8/4/2020
Self employed? The page below will be updated when the Coronavirus Self Employed Support Scheme becomes available.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme

30/3/2020
Guidance for the public on the mental health and well being aspects of coronavirus (COVID-19) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-public

30/3/2020
Helpful crime prevention tips for businesses during coronavirus from The National Business Crime Centre https://nbcc.police.uk/news/letter-from-the-nbcc-regarding-covid-19

30/3/2020
A new HMRC helpline to help businesses concerned about paying their tax due to coronavirus (COVID-19). Up to 2,000 experienced call handlers are available to support businesses and individuals when needed. The new number is 0800 024 1222.

23/3/2020
You can get free business support and advice during the COVID-19 emergency from qualified advisers at New Anglia Growth Hub (New Anglia LEP) on 0300 333 6536.

19/3/2020
You can sign up here to receive email alerts with the latest updates and guidance around COVID-19 from the UK Government. https://www.gov.uk/email-signup?link=/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response.


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