Guidance

Coronavirus: Information for businesses

Last updated: 10.10am 13 October 2020

For the latest government guidance, visit GOV.UK: Coronavirus Business Support

Supporting NHS Test and Trace

From Thursday September 24, businesses in the hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors are legally required to maintain records of staff, customers and visitors, and to display an official NHS Test and Trace QR code poster.

Failure to comply will result in fixed penalty fines.

Find full details an up to date information on the government website.

GOV.UK: Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors and supporting NHS Test and Trace

NHS Test and Trace service in the workplace

Download the NHS COVID-19 app

NHS Test and Trace Support Payment

Enforcing the rule of six

Regulations have come into force that mean it is now the legal responsibility of pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants and all other tourism and hospitality venues in England to:

take bookings of no more than 6 people
ensure that people are not meeting in groups of more than 6 people on their premises
and make sure there is sufficient space between tables

Businesses failing to comply could be issued with fines of up to £4,000.

Find more information about the announcement on the government website

Business Rates

Horsham District Business rates are administered by LGSS. For further up-to-date information, visit the LGSS website.

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

The Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will support self-employed individuals (including members of partnerships) who have lost income due to coronavirus. This scheme will allow you to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of your trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month.

The grant scheme has been extended. Find out more about the grant scheme extension on the government website.

Find out more about the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

Temporary Tables and Chairs Licence

Hospitality businesses can now apply for short term consents allowing them to provide outdoor seating for customers free of charge.

This has come as a result of a change in legislation which went through Parliament allowing a waiver of the usual fees associated with tables and chairs licensing.

Apply for a Temporary Tables and Chairs Licence

Protection from eviction for commercial tenants

The Government scheme to protect commercial tenants that are unable to pay their rent from eviction has been extended until the end of 2020.

Read full details in the Government's September 16 announcement

Grants and funding

Small business grants schemes

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government has announced a new grants scheme to boost the recovery of small businesses. Find out more about the new grants scheme.

Small and medium sized businesses will have access to grants of between £1,000 - £5,000 to help them access new technology and other equipment as well as professional, legal, financial or other advice to help them get back on track.

The money is being allocated to Local Enterprise Partnerships. Coast2Capital has been allocated £250,000. Follow their social media channels, subscribe to their email newsletters and continue to check the Coast2Capital website to find out when you can apply.

Business grant schemes

Use the links below to find out about available business grant schemes.

Sport England funding for sport and physical activity

Coast to Capital Business Recovery Grants

UK Export Finance (UKEF)

UK Export Finance (UKEF) works with banks and insurance brokers to help companies of all sizes fulfil and get paid for export contracts. It provides guarantees, loans and insurance on behalf of the government that can protect UK exporters facing delayed payments or transit restrictions.

Export Working Capital Scheme
Export insurance policy
Direct Lending Facility scheme
To find out if UKEF covers your region, email customer.service@ukexportfinance.gov.uk

Emergency Volunteering Leave

A clause in the Coronavirus Bill 2020 creates a temporary new form of statutory unpaid leave for employees and workers who wish to volunteer - Emergency Volunteering Leave. The clause also includes certain rights and protections for employees and workers who take Emergency Volunteering Leave, including, for example, the maintenance of terms and conditions of employment during any period of leave and protection from detriment for taking the leave. The clause also provides an obligation on the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to establish a compensation scheme to compensate eligible volunteers for some loss of income and expenses incurred.

The total consecutive amount of Emergency Volunteering Leave an individual can take is 4 weeks in any volunteering period of 16 weeks. There are exemptions for micro businesses (those with 10 or fewer employees).

Key contacts and useful links

Government business support

The Government has published all the details of the schemes available to support businesses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation in one place on its website, GOV.UK.

Coronavirus Business Financial Support Finder

Sign up for email updates

Sign up to receive email updates for the latest business support information from the Council during coronavirus COVID-19

Below is a list of key organisations to communicate with, and what they can advise you on:

For the latest government guidance, visit GOV.UK: Coronavirus Business Support
HMRC has set up a tax helpline to help businesses concerned about paying their tax
Talk to your landlord about a rent holiday, or your mortgage lender about a mortgage holiday
For information about business rates in Horsham District, visit the LGSS website
If you are self-employed, visit the Support for those affected by COVID-19 page to find out what support may be available
Coast to Capital
Read the Government guidance for employers and businesses
Visit our dedicated Resources for businesses to operate safely page