We're open - for takeaway orders only

The Government has brought forward a package of comprehensive measures to support businesses through COVID-19.

The package has included:

  • A Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
  • Deferring VAT and Income Tax payments
  • A Statutory Sick Pay relief package for SMEs
  • A 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality, leisure and nursery businesses in England
  • Small business grant funding of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief
  • Grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
  • The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme offering loans of up to £5 million for SMEs through the British Business Bank. Further detail on how to apply can be found here.
  • Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) will provide a government guarantee of 80% to enable banks to make loans of up to £25 million to firms with an annual turnover of between £45 million and £500 million
  • A new lending facility from the Bank of England to help support liquidity among larger firms, helping them bridge coronavirus disruption to their cash flows through loans
  • The HMRC Time To Pay Scheme

The Bank of England has also cut the Bank Rate to 0.1%. It has taken further measures to help ensure that this rate reduction will translate through to the real economy and that capital will be available for new lending. 

Locally, the City of London Corporation has launched its own recovery fund. Find out more about it here. 

The guidance on current support available for businesses published by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy can be found here.

Further information for businesses can be found at:

See Also

COVID-19

Understandably, lots of people have been contacting me about COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.  It is still important that we all continue to follow official public health guidelines.

COVID-19 Roadmap

On 22nd February 2021, the Prime Minister announced the steps which will be taken to lead the country out of COVID-19 and back to normal life.  Step 1 - from 8th March The first stage of the roadmap will come into operation on 8th March, with schools and colleges returning to full

COVID-19 Scams

COVID-19 has unfortunately been seen by some criminals as an opportunity. Many of us are feeling more vulnerable than we normally would.

COVID-19 Vaccine

The COVID-19 vaccine is now being rolled out across the Two Cities. A number of people have contacted Nickie, asking various questions about the vaccine.

Guidance for Employees

The government has announced a package of measures to protect jobs and incomes as part of the national effort in response to Coronavirus, COVID-19.

Guidance for the Self-Employed

Millions of people across the UK have benefited from the new coronavirus (COVID-19) Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, with those eligible receiving a cash grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profit over the last three years, up to £2,500 per month.

Renters and landlords

In response to the financial impact of the Coronavirus  the Government announced a package of protections for renters and landlords including;  Emergency legislation to suspend new evictions from social or private rented accommodation while this national emergency is taking place

Support for Businesses

The Government has brought forward a package of comprehensive measures to support businesses through COVID-19. The package has included: A Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Deferring VAT and Income Tax payments A Statutory Sick Pay relief package for SMEs A 12-month business rat

Supporting Those Most In Need

A huge number of people across the Two Cities have volunteered to help those in need across London. You can find out more how you can help here. In these difficult times, not everyone can afford to buy the food they need.

Travel Advice

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has been advising British people against all non-essential travel worldwide since 17 March 2020.  The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented international border closures and other restrictions.

Two Cities Business Directory

Since the beginning of the pandemic, local MP Nickie Aiken has been keen to promote services and facilities available to people living in the Two Cities. Having provided a list of food delivery options across the Cities of London & Westminster earlier in April - available here - lots of lo