As Stockport’s business community prepares for recovery post-coronavirus, a group of business leaders from the town have collaborated with Stockport Council to launch a new website – www.skbusinessrecovery.co.uk to support businesses through the phases of recovery.
Latest UK data:
Total tests: 11,286,921 tests have been taken or mailed out + 245,507
Positive tests: 287,621 have tested positive + 642 in last 24 hours
Loss of life: 44,602 across all settings + 85
Cases in Stockport: *1,629 positive tests + 3
*new data now shows the results of all testing, Pillar 1 in hospital and Pillar 2 drive through test centres and swab results by post).
Data from the ONS shows that fewer than one in 2,000 now has the virus as the slow decline in case numbers continues.
Coronavirus cases in the UK: daily updated statistics
The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests, cases and deaths in the UK
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary’s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 9 July 2020
The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden gave the 9 July 2020 daily press briefing on the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund Scheme – new 4th phase opens to extend scheme to more businesses
Don’t miss out on your opportunity to apply for what you may be entitled to!
Stockport Council are running a fourth phase of the discretionary grant scheme – more news next week. Small businesses with fixed property costs for premises with an annual rateable value of up to £30,000, and small businesses from the hospitality and leisure sector with fixed property costs for premises with an annual rateable value of up to £150,000 are also currently in scope, under the current phase which closes for applications at midnight tonight
UK HEADLINES:
John Lewis to permanently close 8 stores
John Lewis has announced plans to close eight of its department stores and cut 1,300 jobs. Stores that will permanently close include a flagship store in Birmingham, as the employee-owned retailer said it is making the move to “secure the business’s long-term future and respond to customers’ shopping needs”. The shops identified for closure include two of the smallest in the estate – travel hub shops at Heathrow and St Pancras, four At Home shops in Croydon, Newbury, Swindon and Tamworth and two full size department stores in Birmingham’s Grand Central shopping centre and Watford.
Sharon White, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said:
“Closing a shop is always incredibly difficult and today’s announcement will come as very sad news to customers and Partners. However, we believe closures are necessary to help us secure the sustainability of the Partnership – and continue to meet the needs of our customers however and wherever they want to shop. “Redundancies are always an absolute last resort and we will do everything we can to keep as many Partners as possible within our business.
“There are many reasons to be optimistic about the Partnership’s future. Waitrose and John Lewis are two of the UK’s most loved and trusted brands and we have adapted to the challenges of the pandemic by responding to the new needs of customers.
“We will soon announce the output of our strategic review which will ensure our brands stay relevant for future generations of customers.”
Quarantine rules end for travellers arriving in the UK
From today, travellers arriving into the UK from many countries and overseas territories will no longer be required to self-isolate for two weeks although the list of countries varies slightly in Scotland where travellers arriving from Spain will be required to quarantine.
Lockdown eases for gyms, outdoor swimming pools, outdoor theatres, beauty salons, tattooists and tanning salons
Leisure facilities and beauty services in England will be allowed to reopen, the government has announced. Pools, gyms, nail bars and tattooists will be able to open their doors again, and team sports – starting with cricket – will be allowed to resume. Announcing the changes at a briefing at No 10, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden urged people to “work out to help out”. Outdoor performances will also be able to resume with limited audiences.
Saturday 11th July: Outdoor pools and theatres; grassroots sport returns beginning with cricket
Monday 13th July: Beauticians, tattooists, spas, tanning salons with restrictions on some treatments
Saturday 25th July: Indoor gyms, indoor swimming pools and sports facilities
Performing Arts given green light to resume outdoors on July 11
Outdoor performances with social distancing can resume from July 11.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
Stockport Council announces criteria for applicants of phase 4 for Local Authority Discretionary Grant Scheme
Round 4 of Stockport’s Local Authority Discretionary (LAD) Grant Funding scheme will open for applications at 9am on Tuesday 14th July. The new criteria is designed to bring more businesses into scope and to provide support to businesses who may have until now not been eligible for financial assistance. Although applications are still invited from businesses who met the qualifying criteria in phases 1 to 3 but missed the deadline, phase 4 has expanded the qualifying rateable value of those with fixed property costs to £51,000 for those outside of the hospitality and leisure sectors.
In addition, phase 4 of the scheme is offering a fixed grant of £2,000 for registered businesses – either registered as self-employed or working from home – but who haven’t qualified for or received any other grant support or financial benefits. Applicants will be required to provide evidence of their registered business and reduced income as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic. These will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis and in the order that they arrive via the online portal. Full details regarding applications can be found on the council website
Local Authority Discretionary Grant Funds – Phase 3 closes today
Read the full guidance HERE
Phase 3 application window closes at midnight today, Friday 10th July.
New opening times for Stockport Council Coronavirus Helpline
The helpline for vulnerable people across Stockport can now be accessed through new opening times by calling 0161 217 6046:
• Monday – Thursday from 9am to 5pm
• Friday from 9am to 4.30pm
• Saturdays from 10am to 1pm
At busy times, residents are automatically offered a call-back from one of our call handlers.
By working in collaboration, Stockport can become united and encouraged to build a better future for everyone by supporting the local economy, connecting communities and promoting health & wellbeing. Find out more at www.onestockport.co.uk
Stockport nominated in the Smart City category in the Digital Leaders awards.
Vote for Stockport HERE. Voting closes at 12 noon on Friday 28th August, with the winners announced on the 15th of October.
Stockport businesses grant funding payments:
Main Grant Scheme:
Stockport Council have now administered a total of 5,242 grants bringing the total amount paid to £60,625,000 and bringing the total now over 95.7% of those identified as eligible as at 11/03/2020.
If your business qualifies for a grant, please complete the online application form. Total grant allocation is £66.574m. If you have any queries please email business.rates@stockport.gov.uk
Local Authority Discretionary Grant funding scheme
Applications for phase 3 of the Local Authority Grant fund scheme is now open
Full qualifying criteria can be found on Stockport Council’s website. Enquiries about the scheme can be emailed to SKLADGRANTS@stockport.gov.uk
Status of Payments to date:
Applications: 500
Payments: £550,000
Stockport – is your business open for business?
Is your business in Stockport? Are you ‘open for business’? Whatever your business, we want to support you. And it’s free! Follow the link, fill in the form and we will add you to our directory:
COMMUNITY:
Deaths of homeless people involving COVID-19, England and Wales: deaths registered up to 26 June 2020
Deaths of homeless people that involved the coronavirus (COVID-19) registered in England and Wales between 26 March and 26 June 2020.
Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain: 10 July 2020
Indicators from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey covering the period 2 July to 5 July 2020 to understand the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on people, households and communities in Great Britain.
Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
Frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak – guidance updated in line with new advice on 9 July 2020.
COVID-19: guidance for the safe use of places of worship during the pandemic
This guidance is designed to enable the safe reopening of places of worship for a broader range of activities – updated section on singing, chanting and the use of musical instruments.
CONSTRUCTION:
Digital exclusion causes loneliness – we must act
Rates of loneliness in the UK have grown from 10% pre-lockdown, to 24% in the weeks that followed. As our world becomes more digital there are a rising number of people who remain unconnected and left behind
EDUCATION:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): reducing burdens on educational and care settings
List of data collections, services or requests which will be cancelled, paused or will continue – moved ‘ITT Trainee Number Census’ from deferred collections and services to data collections which will continue.
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESS / FINANCE:
Competition law exclusion orders relating to coronavirus (COVID-19)
A register of agreements relating to exclusion orders made by powers under paragraph 7 of Schedule 3 to The Competition Act 1998.
Closing certain businesses and venues in England
Guidance on the closure of certain businesses and venues as part of further social distancing measures, and on the further easing of coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions from 11 and 13 July 2020 – updated to include easing of restrictions applying from 11 and 13 July
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to make your workplace COVID-secure –
Performing arts – Performing arts guide added.
Coronavirus: driving tests (England)
Car driving tests will restart in England on 22 July 2020 with safety precautions in place – other types of tests will restart before then – updated the section about coming for your test to explain that the driving test centre waiting room will be closed to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, but the toilets will be available on request.
Forestry Commission operational update: coronavirus
This update provides details on the Forestry Commission’s working practices during the coronavirus outbreak – update to our operational guidelines for Coronavirus.
HEALTH, HEALTHCARE & WELLBEING:
Space Agency backs space-enabled drones to deliver Covid-19 testing kits
Drones delivering COVID-19 test kits and technology using space data to support vulnerable people are among the projects backed by new UK Space Agency funding.
How tests and testing kits for coronavirus (COVID-19) work
The different types of tests and testing kits for COVID-19, and the specifications for manufacturers – ‘For patients, the public and professional users: a guide to COVID-19 tests and testing kits’ to make it clearer how the different types of tests work, and who can use them.
NHS test and trace statistics (England): 25 June to 1 July 2020
Experimental statistics for weeks 1 to 5 of NHS test and trace contact tracing in England.
Staying alert and safe (social distancing)
The most important thing we can do is to stay alert, control the virus, and in doing so, save lives – updated to reflect changes to guidance.
HOSPITALITY:
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to make your workplace COVID-secure – restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services – Guidance added on entertainment permitted in venues (section 4.5) and fire risk assessments for repurposed spaces (section 4.8).
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-outlines-support-for-pubs-cafes-and-restaurants
JUDICIARY:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and prisons
This page provides guidance for families and friends of those in prison in England and Wales during the coronavirus pandemic – update to information on prison visits
How to join telephone and video hearings during coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Use this guide if you’ve been asked to join a hearing by telephone or video using BT MeetMe, Skype for Business or Cloud Video Platform (CVP) during the coronavirus outbreak
LOCAL AUTHORITY:
Reopening High Streets Safely Fund guidance
Guidance to help local authorities and partners to deliver activities supported through the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund – FAQ for the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund has been updated to reflect latest positions and developments.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Local authority Emergency Assistance Grant for Food and Essential Supplies
Guidance for local authorities on how to use your allocation of the Local Authority Emergency Assistance Grant for Food and Essential Supplies
Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice to local authorities on prioritising waste collections
A guide to help waste collectors prioritise their collection services during the coronavirus pandemic. This includes managing household waste recycling centres – updated with guidelines on social distancing.
PROPERTY:
Build to Rent tipped for long-term success despite dip in 2020
Property consultancy CBRE claims that Build To Rent is likely to be the most resilient sector of the UK property industry in the coming years – and this is despite a downturn in 2020. CBRE has tracked investment into BTR since the sector emerged in 2015.
After a strong start to the year, with over £1 billion of investment in new projects in the first quarter of this year, it has joined all other sectors of the property industry in seeing a major downturn in the second quarter. Even so, CBRE says some schemes are moving forward. The consultancy says there is a substantial investment pipeline with just over £1.4bn worth of deals currently under offer. This is broadly equivalent to the investment pipeline at the end of 2019, which then translated into £1 billion of investment in Q1 2020.
RETAIL:
Wagamama owner reveals 10 per cent of restaurants won’t reopen before 2021
A UK restaurant chain owner has announced that 40 of its venues are “not expected” to reopen this year. The Restaurant Group, which owns chains including Wagamama and Frankie & Benny’s, outlined its plans to reopen its 400 restaurants, saying that 10 per cent won’t open this calendar year. This comes after the announcement that it will likely be closing more than 100 restaurants across the country, affecting 3,000 jobs.
Six agency branches are being closed as a result of a partnership between franchise giant Belvoir and the Nottingham Building Society.
Under the new agreement, the vast majority of The Nottingham’s estate agency and lettings activity will transfer over to the Belvoir Group, with The Nottingham ceasing trading for new estate agency and lettings operations at the end of August.
“This will regrettably result in the closure of three standalone estate agency branches and three combined building society and estate agency branches which are more focused on estate agency at the end of July, as well as impacting a number of field based and central support roles” says a statement issued this morning by the building society.
Beauty salons set to reopen for some services next week under new government guidelines
Businesses including beauty salons, nail bars and tattoo studios can reopen safely from Monday 13 July.
SPORT:
Meeting people from outside your household
How you can see people that you do not live with while protecting yourself and others from coronavirus (COVID-19) – updated guidance for team sport
COVID-19: Guidance for managing playgrounds and outdoor gyms
Guidance for owners and operators of playgrounds and outdoor gyms to enable their use while minimising the transmission risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) – added link to Department for Culture, Media and Sport guidance for the providers of grassroots sport and gym/leisure facilities to help them prepare ahead of reopening.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on the phased return of sport and recreation
Guidance for the public, providers of outdoor sport facilities, elite athletes, personal trainers and coaches on the phased return of sport and recreation – added the Return to recreational team sport framework and added a link to guidance for providers of grassroots sport and gym/leisure facilities.
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to make your workplace COVID-secure.
Providers of grassroots sport and gym/leisure facilities – Providers of grassroots sport and gym/leisure facilities guide added.
TRAVEL & TOURISM:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): travel corridors
List of countries and territories from where you can return to England and may not have to self-isolate – arrivals from Serbia to England removed from the exempt list.
CMA open letter to all package holiday businesses
The CMA has published an open letter to all businesses involved in organising package holidays for UK consumers.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): countries and territories exempt from advice against ‘all but essential’ international travel
The FCO updated its global advisory against ‘all but essential’ travel, exempting destinations that no longer pose an unacceptably high risk for British travellers.
Covid-19 Webinars:
Tuesday 14th July: Northern Powerhouse – Levelling Up.
Join Place North West and Lexington Communications, at this dedicated virtual event, for an in-depth discussion on the Northern Powerhouse and Levelling Up agendas as the region navigates out of lockdown into recovery.
Book here
Wednesday 15th July: FSB: Want to become a lean, green business machine?
This session will explore the full range of options open to you to help you and your business ‘go green’ and slash not just your carbon footprint, but your energy bills as well. As the UK economy embarks on its long haul journey to repair the damage caused by Covid-19, savvy businesses will be looking at how and where they can make savings to invest in their future as part of the build back better, build back greener ethos!
Wednesday 15th July: Northern Powerhouse Education, Employment and Skills Summit (NPEESS2020)
The summit will provide an early opportunity to kick start the debate on what the North needs to do to reboot, rebuild, recover and rebalance
NPEESS2020 brings together policy makers and influencers to look at the impact on education, employment and skills and discuss what the North needs to do to unlock opportunities, deliver growth, boost prosperity and rebalance the economy.
Make your workplace COVID-secure:
You can find recordings of webinars covering other types of workplace here
HMRC:
Coronavirus COVID-19 Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme:
Providing an overview of the scheme, this webinar looks at who can claim, when to start paying SSP, employees you can claim for, making a claim, keeping records, and more. Choose a date and time
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – How to make a claim:
This guides you through making a claim, including the essential information you need, what to do before you make your claim, calculating and processing your claim.
Choose a date and time
If you’ve missed any of HMRC’s live webinars, you can catch up series of recorded webinars on HMRC’s YouTube channel – available at a time to suit you.
Twice weekly: EnterprisingYou
Finance support for the self-employed webinars For info about latest webinar date announcements please visit the website https://enterprising-you.co.uk/latest-news/
Join an HR virtual community HRD: A Virtual Experience.
Join 2,500+ senior HR Leaders from across the globe including The Clorox Company, Diageo, DHL, Siemens, Nestle, Vodafone, Tiffany & Co, ING and more.
Date and time: Thursday June 18th from 10am CET/9am BST
Summit theme: The Resilient Organisation
Sign up here – it’s completely free!
ACAS – run a series of courses to help businesses with transition from lockdown
Useful links:
Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
Frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak – guidance updated in line with new regulations coming into force on 4 July
Business Survey:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dcms-coronavirus-impact-business-survey/dcms-business-survey-headline-measures
New tools and resources available from Acas:
Redundancy letter templates
Redundancy process map Acas have also contributed to the development of a new return to work toolkit in partnership with SOM, CIPD, BITC and Mind.
Applications Now Open for the Local Authority Discretion Fund. Businesses that had been eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support are also now eligible for the LA Discretionary Business Grant.
Apply for the coronavirus Future Fund
The Future Fund will provide UK Government loans to UK-based companies ranging from £125,000 to £5 million, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors.
Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme set to launch
Employers will be able to make claims through the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme from 26 May.
Stockport Council publishes details for Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund.
Stockport Council has confirmed its criteria in consideration of awarding the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund, announced as the grants Top-up fund by the Government on 1st May.
Business Support in Stockport – a centre pool of information to support business owners in Stockport:
www.skbusinessrecovery.co.uk
Government – Guidance on Returning to Work safely
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19
Government – Setting out of Road Map to recovery – 11th May 2020
Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s 60 page COVID-19 recovery strategy
The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy. The strategy sets out a cautious roadmap to easing existing measures in a safe and measured way, subject to successfully controlling the virus and being able to monitor and react to its spread.Stockport Council has launched a FREE job matching website to help support employers with vacancies and individuals across the Stockport borough who are looking for work. The service, Stockport Jobs Match, will help to connect employers who have urgent temporary or permanent vacancies with applicants who are immediately available and in need of employment. The website also helps signpost individuals to available support services and information.
www.stockport-jobsmatch.co.uk
Coronavirus Act 2020: status
A table setting out the status of each measure in the Coronavirus Act 2020.
Government – Financial Support
New 100% government backed loan scheme for small business
Stockport Council – Health & Mental Well-being https://www.stockport.gov.uk/showcase/coronavirus
Government – Financial Support
CBILS – A guide to whether it may be the best options for a business
Government – Financial Support
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – online claims portal open
Government – Business Support:
Government launches new coronavirus business support finder tool
Government – Business Support Hub:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support
Government – IT safety support:
Government Warnings Over Coronavirus Scams – Here’s How to Protect Yourself
Government – Financial Support:
HMRC has published guidance on how it will work out income and profits for the self-employed or those in a partnership who have lost profits due to coronavirus.
Government – Business Support:
https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/
Government – Business Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
Government – Financial Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-business-support-grant-funding
Government – Business Support:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses
Bank of England – Financial Support: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2020/march/the-covid-corporate-financing-facility
Stockport Council Grant scheme:
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/business-rates-support-measures
Gov.uk: Maintaining Educational Provision: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision
UK Lockdown – Further businesses to close and exceptions: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874732/230320_-_Revised_guidance_note_-_finalVF
Business Growth Hub:
www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus/resources/2020/03/coronavirus-business-support-webinar-series
Food & Drink – advice and guidance:
https://marketingstockport.co.uk/news/food-delivery-and-takeaway-guidance-for-food-businesses-looking-to-diversify/
Health – updates from NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/
Health– Shielding the most vulnerable
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19
Health – Dedicated helpline to support vulnerable residents in Stockport:
Support can be accessed by calling 0161 217 6046 Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.
Health – Dedicated health & wellbeing services:
24/7 mental health helpline & safe haven for anyone over the age of 18 in Stockport (0800 138 7276).
Health – An Emotional Wellbeing Hub which provides information, advice, and guidance for anyone up to the age of 25 for emotional wellbeing and mental health concerns. 0161 217 6028 – 8.30am-5pm Mon – Thurs 8.30am-4.30pm on Friday.
Health – the big white wall
The Big White Wall offers 24/7 anonymous support via a digital emotional wellbeing and mental health service, offering peer support for anyone over the age of 16, support from trained clinicians alongside a range of helpful tools and resources.
Media and Marketing:
Prolific North are publishing daily updates on their blog as to how Covid-19 is impacting on the marketing, media and technology industries
Travel:
https://media.northernrailway.co.uk/news/coronavirus-travel-information
Recruitment: – DWP and Universal Credit http://news.dwp.gov.uk/dwplz/lz.aspx?p1=MQsDU1NjQ5MlM2OTA0OjNCNDJBOEZCRTJDOUJEOTc1ODQ0RTRCRDNDNzk4QUNF-&CC=&p=0
Retail: An update form British Retail Consortium
https://brc.org.uk/news/corporate-affairs/coronavirus-latest-retailer-activity/
Employment: – Stockport Jobs Match
Community – Guidance for businesses seeking to help voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
How businesses can offer services, funds and volunteers to civil society during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Find out more information here.
Employment – Useful information for the Self-Employed:
News and Guidance for the self-employed:
Concerned how Coronavirus might impact you and your business?
Please get in touch with Enterprising You and you will be connected to someone who can help. You can also access information and guidance including the latest Government updates via www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus
Can you claim back Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay in the Rebate Scheme
From Tuesday 26 May 2020, small and medium-sized employers, with fewer than 250 employees, will be able to apply to recover the costs of paying coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) payments they have made to their employees.
Stockport park unveils tribute to young community hero 
Research finds Covid-19 has not fundamentally changed the UK labour market 
Government sets out ‘Living with COVID’ next steps from 1st April