MID June newsletter 2020

The countdown clock is ticking down as businesses get ready to throw open their doors on Monday 15th. 'Reopening' is unchartered territory for everyone, but the message is clear 'We Are Open for Business' and want to welcome our shoppers and office workers back onto the High Street. All we ask is, please be patient and kind as we navigate the new normal. 

Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre has announced many of its stores will be reopening on the 15th as well as most of their public facilities, which is comforting news for shoppers. They do advise to keep checking their website as the hours of business will be adapted to demand as they safely go back to normal.
 

If you are worried about the future, don't miss our Business Survival webinar on Thursday 18 June 11:00 am. Make it Ealing are delighted to be working with Peter Charles Ltd, a consultancy who specialise in helping businesses navigate difficult business situations, have volunteered to help the Ealing business community with free and confidential support during these challenging times.

Don't miss out; register your interest here. It will be your first step towards a successful recovery. 
 
Free Financial Webinar

Ealing Council in partnership with Make it Ealing, Acton and InWest Ealing Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) have teamed up with Branduin Business Support Ltd to host two consecutive webinars for businesses.

If you missed the first session, make sure you join the MICROSOFT TEAMS MEETING  on Wednesday, 17 June 2020 11am.

This workshop delivered over two sessions will help you to understand what types of funding are best suited to your business and what is needed to give your funding application a head-start on other applicants.

There are lots of websites, webinars and other resources out there that tell you what each of the new government support initiatives is about, but this workshop will also show you, how to prepare your application.

What are the funding options available to your business right now?
What is the current state of each of the funding options available from the government?

What to do if you ‘fall between the cracks’ and are not eligible for these schemes, or you cannot raise enough money from these schemes?

How does the recently announced ‘Top-up to local business grant funds scheme’ operate, what are the eligibility rules and how is Ealing Council dealing with applications for these grants?

What will funding look like after lockdown and which businesses will funders prefer to work with?

Note: you will need to download and install the MICROSOFT TEAMS app for your desktop or mobile device.
 
Impact on household spending during lockdown 

The office of National Statistics (ONS) has looked at household spending during the pandemic and found that one-fifth of usual household spending has been primarily prevented during the lockdown. Hopefully, the easing of lockdown will see the lack of spending trend, reversed. Read the report here.
 
A Big Thank You.  
 

To Ealing council and Councillors Jasbir Anand and Seema Kumar, who alongside Business Associations, Acton, InWest Ealing and Make It Ealing BID have helped businesses get through the lockdown and get ready for reopening. About to be printed are a variety of free COVID-19 messaging posters to help businesses explain social distancing and queue order.

In anticipation of F&B outlets opening, Street trading is actively trying to support outlets expand their street trading footprint, at no extra charge.

Artisan Coffee, Franco Manco, Bill's, Pho @ 22, and Tonkotsu are leading the way on New Broadway for a more flexible trading footprint. This relaxation will only be temporary until Christmas, and consideration for health and social distancing will take precedence, so having more space is not a given. Contact Lisa Buckmaster to ask about expanding your existing street trading footprint.  
 
Face coverings to become mandatory on public transport on 15 June 2020.

Don't forget it will become mandatory on 15 June for everyone to wear face masks on public transport

There are plenty of suggestions on social media as well as the government website on how to make your own 'tres chic' face mask.

 
FCA to test wording in Business Interruption Insurance Policies
 

Many Make It Ealing (MIE) businesses are very frustrated at insurance policies not paying out on business interruption policies.

There has been a lot of confusion over what constitutes, business interruption, with insurers claiming triggers associated with business interruption are physical or material damage.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have created a test case, and started proceedings on 9 June, with a full hearing anticipated in the latter part of July. The FCA has created a webpage dedicated to the court case dealing with Business Interruption Insurance. Sign up for updates on how the case is proceeding.

 
Business reopening 

Businesses with five employees (full or part-time) or more, must complete a COVID-19 specific risk assessment. However, the Government advises all companies regardless of size, to have a risk assessment plan to hand.

The HSE website gives risk assessment templates, and examples of the risks you need to consider for your business.

Make It Ealing have created a COVID-19 retail risk assessment template (download here) as a guide, to help businesses understand the measures they will have to undertake to be compliant.

It is a downloadable word doc format, so it will be easy to edit to make it relevant to your business requirements.

The government guidelines suggest businesses should display their COVID -19 risk assessments on their websites. For businesses who don't have a website, Make It Ealing can create a link to view the COVID-19 risk assessment on your directory listing on our website. All you have to do is send us a risk assessment, and we will do the rest. Find out more about Risk Assessments here.

 
Business Grants 

If you are still waiting to hear back from business rates about a grant application, can you let the BID office know so we can follow up any issues on your behalf?

Keep an eye on this page if you intend to put in an application The Discretionary Business Grant Scheme.
Take Five Fraud Scams 

Lockdown has provided new and lucrative opportunities for scammers to target business owners and senior managers, with devasting consequences for businesses who are already struggling.

To help your business stay safe from fraud and scams, Take Five to Stop Fraud has some beneficial advice.
 
TFL Toolkit and guidance for businesses 

Following the Government's recent announcement on the easing of existing lockdown measures, TFL and the Mayor of London are working to safely and sustainably get London back to work. This toolkit sets out our latest travel advice for retail businesses, as well as sharing some tips for planning to return to work in the longer term. Download here.

 
The London Fire brigade 

As business operations start to resume, there are some key Fire Safety matters to consider. The London Fire Brigade has produced this guidance to assist businesses returning to work from the Coronavirus lockdown, to operate in a manner to keep them safe from fire. While also, where possible, still addressing the risks posed by coronavirus. Download here
 
Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can't do 

The Government has set out its plan to return life to as near normal as we can, for as many people as we can, as quickly and reasonably as possible to safeguard livelihoods, but in a way that is safe and continues to protect our NHS check the latest guidance here

If you think you have coronavirus symptoms, you can get tested by calling NHS 111 online coronavirus service

 If you are an essential key worker, you apply on the GOV.UK website to get tested. You will need a verification code form your employer to be eligible.

If you think you have coronavirus, there is newly updated guidance from the Government here.

NHS test and trace: how it works

The Government is introducing the Test and Trace service to enable them to trace the spread of the virus and isolate new infections and play a vital role in giving us early warning if the virus is increasing again, locally or nationally. There is a risk of infection if a person has spent 15 minutes in direct contact with another person. At the moment the suggestion is, businesses will not have to go into lockdown if they are identified on  track and trace mapping, however, they may have to close temporarily to sanitise the premises. We will update when we have more guidance.
 
And Finally...

For some businesses, Monday 15 June will be no different from any other Monday. The nature of their business and the goods and services they sell and provide are essential to keeping the wheels of life in motion and the nation fed and watered.

However, I think our four-legged friends in Ealing would like to say a special thank you to Denise, the owner of Peefer on Ealing Broadway.

Peefer has stayed open and maintained regular trading hours to service the needs of pet owners from far & wide, selling speciality frozen pet foods and pet paraphernalia. Check out Facebook and Instagram for some adorable hair cut envy!  

Until our next update, please stay safe & well.

Natasha is still on furlough, so if you have any queries, please contact Gerry by email or call 07943 720227

www.makeitealing.co.uk

Make It Ealing
Saunders House
52-53 The Mall
Ealing
W5 3TA
T.07943 720 227

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