Chamber News

Commenting ahead of the Prime Minister’s speech in the West Midlands, in which he will announce a ‘New Deal for Britain’, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said:

“The infrastructure delivery plans announced by the Prime Minister are welcome, but they must take shape on the ground swiftly to give a real confidence boost to businesses and communities.

“The government must go even further over the coming days to rekindle business and consumer confidence, as part of a wider roadmap to economic recovery. This is a critical moment, and business communities need this government to be bolder than any previous government has ever been.

“In his first inaugural speech, Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, ‘We must act, and act quickly’. The same holds true in Britain today.”

On 23 June 2020, the Prime Minister announced further easements of the Coronavirus restrictions as part of Step Three of the government’s plan to return life to as near normal as we can. This guidance applies in England – people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should follow the specific rules in those parts of the UK.

In addition, all businesses and venues can reopen from 4 July, except for the list below, which remain closed by law:

• Nightclubs
• Casinos
• Bowling alleys and Indoor skating rinks
• Indoor play areas including soft-play
• Spas
• Nail bars, beauty salons and tanning salons
• Massage, tattoo and piercing parlours
• Indoor fitness and dance studios, and indoor gyms and sports venues/facilities
• Swimming pools including water parks
• Exhibition or conference centres must remain closed for events such as exhibitions or conferences, other than for those who work for the business or organisation who run the venue.

Cafes, restaurants and shops that are self-contained and can be accessed from the outside, will still be permitted to open.

The UK government will continue to phase reopening and hope to reopen other close-contact businesses as soon as possible.

All other businesses and venues can reopen from 4 July. Examples are available here including links to guidance to ensure their safe-reopening.

Reopen your business safely during Coronavirus

Employers that want to reopen their business have a legal responsibility to protect their employees and other people on site. Use this UK government guidance to help you carry out a risk assessment and make sensible adjustments to the site and workforce.

• If you do not carry out a risk assessment, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or your local council can issue an enforcement notice.
• Employees can use this guidance to check what their workplace needs to do to keep people safe.
• This guidance is only for businesses that are allowed to reopen in England.

Working safely during Coronavirus

People and employers should stay safe in public spaces and workplaces by following the government’s “Working safely during Coronavirus” guidelines. This should enable more people to go back to work, where they cannot work from home, and encourage more vulnerable children and the children of critical workers to go to school or childcare as already permitted.

Shops in England selling non-essential goods can now re-open provided they follow government guidelines to keep staff and customers as safe as possible. The government issued detailed COVID-19 secure guidance for retailers and other sectors. Businesses should display a downloadable notice to inform customers and staff they have followed COVID-secure guidance.

Following earlier easements in May and June, from the 4 July, further businesses and venues will be allowed to open. For further details, please see the section on Official guidance from UK government.

A £1m per year fund to boost community schemes in Norfolk in the wake of Covid-19 has been launched by the county council.

Known as the Social Infrastructure Fund, it will provide grants of between £50,000 and £250,000 to groups wishing to invest in community facilities – including adaptations required to ensure social distancing.

Council leader, Councillor Andrew Proctor, said: “Community groups have played a sterling role in supporting Norfolk throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

“This new, annual fund will help them to strengthen our communities, by providing support for local buildings and facilities.”

To ensure the fund reaches as many groups as possible, the county council expects groups to include a financial contribution towards the overall costs of their proposals, which could come from other grants, loans or fundraising.

Details of how to bid are available at www.norfolk.gov.uk/socialinfrastructurefund

Examples of previous community schemes supported by the county council include a £500,000 investment in community sports facilities through the Community Sports Foundation at The Nest and £500,000 for EACH’s palliative care centre for children, in Framingham Earl.

The new fund is included in this year’s £282 million capital budget approved in February 2020.

More pubs, restaurants and cafes will be able to serve customers outdoors in plans announced by the government.

• The government will simplify and reduce the costs of the licensing process for outdoor seating and stalls, making it easier for people to safely drink and dine outside. 
• Proposed planning freedoms will mean that outdoor markets, pop-up car-boot sales or summer fairs will not need a planning application.
• Pubs and restaurants will be able to use car parks and terraces as dining and drinking areas, using their existing seating licenses.
• Temporary changes to licensing laws will allow many more licensed premises, such as pubs and restaurants, to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises. Customers will be able to buy their drinks from a pub and consume them elsewhere, making social distancing easier.

These measures will give an immediate and much needed boost to many businesses, whilst supporting them to successfully reopen over the summer. Find more here.

In line with phased changes to the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, employers should review the updated employer guidance provided by The Pensions Regulator.

The guidance includes information on how to treat furloughed workers who are returning to work part-time and what to do if an employer is struggling to pay contributions.

From August, employers will need to fund pension contributions and National Insurance contributions for staff.

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s announcement of further easing of Coronavirus restrictions from July 4 in England, including the reopening of culture, tourism and leisure venues as well as a relaxation of the two-metre rule, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy for Norfolk Chambers said:

“These steps will enable more Norfolk companies to reopen and will be cautiously welcomed by our business community.

“While the relaxation of the two-metre rule will help more firms increase capacity, we are still a long way from business as usual. Broader efforts to boost business and consumer confidence will still be needed to help firms trade their way out of this crisis.

“A comprehensive test and trace system, including a mass testing regime, must be in place to realise the benefits that the easing of restrictions could bring to firms across the UK, many of whom are relying on the swift return of consumer confidence.

“Our businesses also need to see a clear roadmap to recovery from the government, including fresh support for the worst-affected sectors and geographic 

A new code provides support to shops and local firms planning their future recovery with their landlord.

• The UK government has extended measures to prevent struggling companies from eviction over the summer.
• A new code of practice has been developed with leaders from the retail, hospitality and property sectors to provide clarity for businesses when discussing rental payments and to encourage best practice so that all parties are supported.
• The Coronavirus Act will extend the time period for suspension of the forfeiture of evictions from June 30 to September 30, meaning no business will be forced out of their premises if they a miss a payment in the next three months.
• Secondary legislation to prevent landlords using Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery unless they are owed 189 days of unpaid rent. The time period for which this measure is in force will be extended from June 30 to September 30.

An amendment to the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill has been tabled which will extend the temporary ban on the use of statutory demands and winding-up petitions where a company cannot pay its bills due to coronavirus until 30 September. Find out more here.

Leaders and businesses owners from across the tourism industry met online yesterday to talk about the role of digital technology in attracting visitors to our region.

The Tourism + Tech Virtual Conference was originally planned as a face-to-face event but the coronavirus saw a move to an online webinar, hosted by Tim Robinson from Tech East.

Over 150 representatives from across the region joined together to hear about online success stories during the lockdown and how digital platforms can help the industry recover.

The speakers included the executive director of Visit East of England, Pete Waters and Cllr Graham Plant, deputy leader of Norfolk County Council. Opening the conference Cllr Graham Plant said:

“The coronavirus has had a huge impact for many over the last few months and we express our deepest sympathy to all those who have been affected.  The tourism sector has been particularly hard hit and supporting it to recover is a key priority for the Council.”

“As the use of digital technology to do business grows, there has never been a more pressing need to inspire businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk to embrace it to innovate, cooperate, work more efficiently and be more creative.  It is my belief that digital technology can drive positive change and help your tourism business to not only recover but to be stronger and more resilient in the future.”

The online event was put on by Tech East and Norfolk County Council, in partnership with the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Norfolk Chambers of Commerce.

The conference covered a range of topics including digital marketing, adapting to the lockdown, adopting online booking and payment methods, the support available to businesses and the wider plans for tourism in the region.

One of the key talking points was the need to attract visitors during traditionally quiet periods, with a recent survey finding that 57% of people are planning to take a break this autumn.

The issue of off-peak season tourism will be addressed by the EXPERIENCE project, which is led by Norfolk County Council and co funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The project involves 6 regions in England and France, with the aim of boosting the number of visitors between October and March by creating ‘experiences’ that are unique to each area.

The panel also discussed the ways businesses can help young people into the workforce and the importance of providing accessible accommodation in Norfolk.

Following the success of the conference the organisers hope to put on future events that will cover the more popular subjects in more detail.

Her Majesty The Queen has offered support to businesses as they reopen, and praised the contribution Chambers of Commerce across the UK and around the world are making to help firms, champion trade and rebuild communities, in a letter released today.

Norfolk Chambers are one of fifty three Chambers of Commerce across the UK, accredited to the British Chambers of Commerce.  The letter from Her Majesty, Patron of the British Chambers of Commerce, comes as businesses across the UK are reopening and adjusting to a new normal. 

The letter reads:

“At a time of great difficulty for many, it is heart-warming to see the civic response and generosity of so many businesses, small and large, to the challenges posed, whether supporting the health sector or vulnerable communities.”

Her Majesty also recognised the contribution Chambers of Commerce and their members have made during the pandemic:

“As Patron of the British Chambers of Commerce, it gives me great pride to see the contribution you and your members are making to help firms, champion trade and rebuild communities.”

Welcoming the letter, BCC President Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith said:

“The Queen’s personal message of support will be a huge morale boost to our business communities at this complex and sensitive time.

“We are grateful that Her Majesty has recognised the crucial role Chambers of Commerce play supporting businesses and communities through the pandemic, and as we restart, rebuild and renew the economy.” 

People can have their say on temporary changes to some Norwich streets, to support safe shopping and travel around the city.

Norfolk County Council and Norwich City Council have proposed a series of measures to ensure social distancing when walking, with any surplus space then available for street café activity to help businesses recover.

The councils have already deployed stencilled and temporary signs to encourage people to walk on the left hand side of the street. Crossing times have also been lengthened for pedestrians at traffic signal-controlled crossings around the inner ring road, to reduce the number of people having to wait on pedestrian islands in the middle. Businesses are also being advised not to put “A boards” on pavements.

Other proposals involve:

• Temporary changes to Exchange Street and St Benedicts Street, which includes restricted access for general traffic and loading activity happening outside core business hours to create more space for walking, queuing and the potential for pavement cafes. It is also proposed that redundant signs, railings and other street furniture are removed, to declutter the streets.
• Consideration is also being given to further measures that could be applied in other areas, such as Magdalen Street, St Giles Street, Upper St Giles, Surrey Street and All Saints Green and the public will be consulted on proposals.

The two councils want to hear people’s views before deciding whether to implement the changes. The proposals can be viewed on the consultation page of the county council’s website at www.norfolk.gov.uk

Comments and questions can be emailed to [email protected] by Tuesday 23 June, saying which street plan you are commenting on in the subject line.

Based on feedback received from the public, all plans will be reviewed before being implemented under emergency traffic regulation powers. Any measures taken will be temporary in nature and continually monitored.

Norwich City Council have released their latest economic barometer. The report highlighted:

Locally

• Norwich food processing equipment manufacturer Fabcon Food Systems has won a six-figure contract to supply and install bespoke machinery for a seasoning and distribution line in Belgium.
• An online platform to help engineering and manufacturing companies in Norfolk and Suffolk share employees by enabling them to move to another business during quieter periods is being set up.
• The East of England benefitted from an 11% rise in the number of foreign direct investment (FDI) projects year on year.  The FDIs created nearly 3,000 jobs across the East.

Nationally

• UK construction companies indicated a sustained downturn in business activity during May.  Furloughed workers across their supply chains contributed to reduced activity
• More than a quarter of the UK workforce is now being supported by the government’s furlough scheme and the cost so far has reached £19.6bn
• Total UK sales fell by 5.9 per cent compared with the previous year, dragged down by temporary shop closures

For full details of the latest economic barometer click here.

As more businesses begin to re-open their doors and look for new opportunities in the face of COVID-19 recovery we have highlighted several possible funding sources to support their future plans.

BBC Children in Need Covid Next Steps Grant Programme  Grants up to £80,000 for organisations working with disadvantaged children who have been particularly affected by the pandemic. 

BEE Anglia  Grants up to £20,000 (up to 40% of total cost) for projects which reduce the carbon footprint of a business; could help businesses trying to reduce their regular costs in the light of Covid-19.  Contact the programme for advice and support. 

Big Society Capital Resilience and Recovery Loan Fund   An initial £25m available for 12 month interest free loans, administered by Social Investment Business for Big Society Capital, with further funding to be released in future.    

Clean Growth Fund  A new £40m Clean Growth Fund has been launched, with funding from Government and from one of the UK’s largest charity investors, CCLA.  Clean Growth Investment Management (CGIM) are managing the Fund, which makes investments into start-up companies developing clean energy solutions.  

Coronavirus Future Fund for innovative companies.  This scheme will issue convertible loans between £125,000 to £5 million to innovative companies which are facing financing difficulties due to the coronavirus outbreak.  Launches Wednesday 20 May, detailed information available via the British Business Bank here.  

Community Action Norfolk Community Action Norfolk provide guidance and support to charities and community organisations.   They produce a monthly funding newsletter and can help find funding.  For more information or to sign up please email [email protected]  

Coronavirus Community Support Fund  £200m of grants now available to small to medium sized charities supporting communities in response to Covid 19. 

Covid-19 Emergency Heritage at Risk Response Fund  Grants from Historic England up to £25,000 to enable urgent repairs to listed buildings to enable them to re-open to the public after lockdown. 

Defra funding for dairy farmers announced  Up to £10,000 grant for dairy farmers whose businesses are suffering from reduced milk demand, to cover 70% of lost income in April and May.  Fund will open for applications from 18 June.   

Funding for satellite-based innovative health solutions  £2.6m funding for satellite-enabled technology and services that strengthen the NHS response to coronavirus.  UK Space Agency and European Space Agency (ESA) in support of NHS England. 

Future Flight Challenge Phase 2  Innovate UK funding for large partnership projects (above £500K) to develop new aviation systems and/or vehicle technologies.  These could include drones, urban air mobility vehicles or electric regional aircraft.  Deadline 1 July. 

Good Finance Resource Hub for Charities and Social Enterprises  Useful listings of funding sources and funding advice for charities and social enterprises.   Be aware that not all the funding sources listed may be up to date. 

Heritage Emergency Fund

£50m available from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for previous or current grant recipients, to support them to protect heritage and maintain heritage businesses.   Also £1.2m Digital Skills for Heritage initiative to help the sector to adapt to greater online delivery. 

Innovate UK Designing sustainable plastics solutions   Grants up to £80,000 for business-led projects which reduce the harm which plastics do to the environment.  Deadline 16 September.  

Innovate UK EUREKA: Healthy Ageing funding call  Support of up to £500,000 for digital health and smart technology innovations which enable healthy ageing.   Applicants must have at least one international partner from a EUREKA participating nation. 

Innovate UK coronavirus business support package  Continuity grants and loans to help existing Innovate UK grant holders. As part of this package, additional support to innovative high-growth companies is also available from the Enterprise Europe Network; contact the Growth Hub for more information on this.  

LEAP: Small emergency loan programme for food businesses  £5,000-£20,000 loans from FEA (Funding Enlightened Agriculture) for community food businesses and agroecological growers.   

Morrisons Foundation  Grants up to £10,000 for charities which work with homeless people, for projects responding to the Covid-19 emergency. 

Nationwide Community Grants  Grants from £10,000-£50,000 for local housing projects from charitable organisations that will strengthen local communities to support the most vulnerable.  

Pay it Forward from Crowdfunder  Free to use crowdfunding service, helping businesses to source financial support. 

Power to Change £7m rescue package for community businesses  Funding available to community businesses which have previously had Power to Change funding, or been supported by Power to Change partners including the Plunkett Foundation.   Applications open from 11 May. 

Sport England Innovation Open Call  Grants up to £50,000 and support and advice offered to projects with innovative solutions to reducing health inequalities around sport and exercise during the pandemic. 

The Prince’s Trust and NatWest Enterprise Relief Fund  Grants and support for 18-30 year olds who are self-employed or running their own businesses.   

UKRI Covid 19 research and innovation funding   UK Research and Innovation grants of up to 80% of the total project cost of initiatives to develop solutions to the consequences of the Covid 19 outbreak where a rapid path to funding is needed.   For help looking at the full range of Innovate UK funding, contact the Growth Hub. 

UK Seafood Innovation Fund  Government grant programme for projects which support the fishing industry, including innovative approaches to developing local supply chains.  Call for applications ends 26 June. 

Youth Futures grants programmes  A range of grants for charities working to support young people from the new Youth Futures Foundation. 

Zoos Support Fund   Up to £100,000 grant payable over 3 months, aimed at smaller licensed zoos and aquariums to support them with the direct costs of caring for animals.