Guidance
Coronavirus: Information for businesses
Last updated: 10.40am 30 July 2020
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.
HM Government: Coronavirus Business Support
Coronavirus Business Support Finder
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Business Rates
Horsham District Business rates are administered by LGSS. For further up-to-date information, visit the LGSS website.
Business Rates relief has now been granted to those we have identified as eligible and a revised bill will be issued. If you do not receive a revised bill and feel you may be eligible, please contact us by email at hdc-revenues@milton-keynes.gov.uk.
Small Business grants
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.
Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund Scheme
Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Funding
Coast to Capital Backing Business Grants
Historic England Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund
National Lottery Heritage Emergency Fund
Sport England funding for sport and physical activity
South Downs National Park Recovery Grant Scheme
England European Regional Development Funding through Coast to Capital
Help to pay your employees
Claim for wages through the Job Retention Scheme
Statutory Sick Pay Relief scheme
Tax and accounts extensions
What to do if you're having difficulties paying HMRC
Apply for more time to file your accounts
Loan schemes
Business Interruption Loan Scheme
COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility for larger firms
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
Protections for commercial tenants
Commercial tenants who cannot pay their rent because of coronavirus are protected from eviction for three months from March, the government announced in March.
The government has banned the use of statutory demands (made between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2020) and winding up petitions presented from Monday 27 April, through to 30 June, where a company cannot pay its bills due to coronavirus. Read more about the protection measures
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 for the next three months. This may be extended if needed.
Find out more about the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
Eat Out to Help Out
Restaurants and other establishments serving food for on-premises consumption can now sign up to Eat Out to Help Out, a new government initiative aimed at protecting jobs in the hospitality industry and encouraging people to safely return to dining out.
Businesses can use the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme to offer a discount to diners and encourage them to eat at your restaurant. Registration will close on 31 August.
Register your establishment for the Eat Out to Help Out 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
Advice for food businesses
Advice about switching to take-away services
Annual leave rules relaxed
Workers who have not taken all of their statutory annual leave entitlement due to Coronavirus will now be able to carry it over into the next 2 leave years.
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).
Health and safety advice for employers
For information and advice on health and safety measures, including fire safety and RIDDOR reporting, visit our Coronavirus: Workplace health and safety page.
Resources for businesses to operate safely
Visit our dedicated Resources for businesses to operate safely page
Key contacts and useful links
Below is a list of key organisations to communicate with, and what they can advise you on:
- 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
- The Food Standards Agency website has information on running a food delivery service
- Read the Government guidance for employers and businesses
- Tourism webinars by Coast to Capital
- SME Emergency Response Clinics by Coast to Capital
- Request support from Coast to Capital
- The Association of British Insurers COVID-19 Information Hub