We have some informative links if you are a business that requires help during the COVID-19 outbreak. We will continue to update this page and relevant links.
Please note - Businesses in the D2N2 area will be contacted in due course if they are eligible for rate grants and do not need to contact the Authority.
Updates
1 June 2020
Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund - The Government has provided Local Authorities with additional funding to target small businesses with high fixed property-related costs but that are not eligible for the Small Business Grant Fund, the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Fund or other central government support schemes that are able to demonstrate a significant drop of income due to Coronavirus restriction measures. Grants of £25,000, £10,000 and under £10,000 are available depending on the relative costs borne by businesses.
The Fund is now open for Online Applications which is the route for all applications. In exceptional circumstances where an applicant does not have internet access, a postal application form can be requested from NEDDC Customer Services on 01246 231111.
29 May 2020
Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund
The Government has provided Local Authorities with additional funding to target small businesses with high fixed property-related costs but that are not eligible for the Small Business Grant Fund, the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Fund or other central government support schemes that are able to demonstrate a significant drop of income due to Coronavirus restriction measures. Grants of £25,000, £10,000 and under £10,000 are available depending on the relative costs borne by businesses.
For more information please download our Discretionary Grants Fund Guidance document.
The funding application process will be online, except in exceptional circumstances where an applicant does not have internet access. It is intended to launch the fund on Monday 1 June, so please keep checking the NEDDC website for details of how to apply.
25 May 2020
On 25 May, the Prime Minster set out timeline for retail businesses to reopen in June:
- Outdoor markets and car showrooms will be able to reopen from 1 June 2020, as soon as they are able to meet the COVID-19 secure guidelines to protect shoppers and workers.
- All other non-essential retail including shops selling clothes, shoes, toys, furniture, books, and electronics, plus tailors, auction houses, photography studios, and indoor markets, will be expected to be able to reopen from 15 June 2020 if the Government’s five tests are met and they follow the COVID-19 secure guidelines.
- Businesses will only be able to open from these dates once they have completed a risk assessment, in consultation with trade union representatives or workers, and are confident they are managing the risks. They must have taken the necessary steps to become COVID-19 secure in line with the current Health and Safety legislation.
- Hairdressers, nail bars and beauty salons, and the hospitality sector, remain closed, because the risk of transmission in these environments is higher where long periods of person to person contact is required.
Business closures
Certain businesses and venues are still required by law to stay closed to the public. These include:
- Restaurants and cafes, other than for takeaways
- Pubs, cinemas, theatres and nightclubs
- Hair, beauty and nail salons
- Libraries, community centres, and youth centres
- Some leisure facilities such as bowling alleys, gyms, arcades and soft play facilities
- Some communal places within parks, such as playgrounds and outdoor gyms
- Places of worship (except for funerals)
- Hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, campsites, caravan parks, and boarding houses for commercial/leisure use, excluding use by those who live in them permanently, those who are unable to return home and critical workers where they need to for work
Please keep checking GOV.UK (external link) for the latest updates on what businesses can open or must remain closed.
Working safely
Guidance to help employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic has been published on the government's website (external link).
There are eight guides that cover a range of different types of work (external links):
Construction and other outdoor work | Factories, plants and warehouses | Labs and research facilities | Offices and contact centres | Other people's homes | Restaurants offering takeaway or delivery | Shops and branches | Vehicles
Businesses may need to use more than one of these guides to help keep employees and the public safe.
22 May 2020
From Tuesday 26th May 2020, small & medium-sized employers, with fewer than 250 employees, will be able to apply to recover the costs of paying Covid 19-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) payments they have made to their employees.
To use the online service you will need the Government Gateway user ID you got when you registered for PAYE Online. If you did not register online you will need to enrol for the PAYE Online service. Find your lost Government Gateway user ID if you do not have it. If you use an agent who is authorised to do PAYE online for you, they will be able to claim on your behalf.
13 May 2020
Coronavirus Business Trade Update
12 May 2020
Self employed income support scheme (SEIS)
Chancellor extends furlough scheme until October
28 April 2020
Small businesses boosted by bounce back loans
15 April 2020
6 April 2020
In figures. What the Council has been doing since the coronavirus crisis hit our district.
3 April 2020
Council to provide £20m+ of support to businesses during COVID-19 outbreak
27 March 2020
D2N2 Growth Hub – providing support for businesses during the Coronavirus crisis.
Government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
24 March 2020
Extra protection for businesses - Commercial tenants who cannot pay their rent because of coronavirus will be protected from eviction.
23 March 2020
British Business Bank - The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) opens for applications from 23 March 2020 and can provide facilities of up to £5m for smaller businesses across the UK who are experiencing lost or deferred revenues, leading to disruptions to their cashflow. Apply on the British Business Bank website.
You can also receive email updates on local crime informaiton and new scam's to avoid on the Derbyshire Alert website.
The Chancellor has set out a package of temporary, timely and targeted measures to support public services, people and businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19. Find out more about these updated packages of support.
Business Support Links
Business rate advice - The Chancellor announced in last week’s Budget that the current 50% retail discount would be increased to 100% for 2020-21 and expanded to include all occupied retail, leisure and hospitality premises. Guidance is provided on the types of use that will be eligible for the discount. Broadly they are hereditaments that are being used for the following purposes:
- a. as shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues,
- b. for assembly and leisure; or
- c. as hotels, guest and boarding premises and self-catering accommodation.
The Council will be fully funded for the cost of the discount.
Government announces protection for renters and landords affected by coronavirus
Government support and advice for businesses
Derbyshire County Council support for residents and businesses
NHS guide to Coronavirus and what to do if you think you or any of your employees might be infected.
The World Health Organisation has more detailed information including videos on best practice and posters to download to inform your workforce. There’s also a useful myth-buster section and advice on when face masks are appropriate.