Lockdown and Business Support

On Saturday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced another lockdown from Thursday this week, which is to last throughout November, until 2nd December.

We have already had a few questions come through and we are passing these on to the relevant authorities so we can answer specific questions and take concerns to the local council and government.

What business support is available?

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
The furlough scheme has been extended for as long as this lockdown is in place. It will provide 80% of furloughed staff wages. As soon as we know more about when and how to apply, we will send you the details.

Local Restrictions Support Grant
The Government is providing business support grants to those who pay business rates at the following amounts:

Rateable value: £15,000 or less: £1,334 per month or £667 per fortnight.
Rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000: £2,000 per month or £1,000 per fortnight.
Rateable value over £51,000: £3,000 per month or £1,500 per fortnight.

This grant was initially for those in local lockdowns but will be available across England as soon as possible. The page is due to be updated with the financial figures and how to apply but you can find an overview here. 

If you do not pay business rates, we are investigating what support might be available and we will update you as soon as we have heard.

As soon as we know more about when these grants will be available and how to apply for them, we will let you know.

British BIDs are working together to push for Government to fix the issues of the track and trace system, provide urgent reassurance for the survival of retail and food supply chains, and clearer and more focussed financial support for our levy paying businesses.

If you have a delivery or click and collect service in place, please let us know. We are adding a page to our BID website and our Christmas website to list all BID businesses providing this service and share through all our social media channels.

We are looking at webinars we could provide to help advise you or to answer your questions. Is there a particular subject you would like us to arrange a webinar about? 

Our ambassadors will continue to work throughout lockdown and will be available on 07516 927052.

If you have any questions, please do contact us and we will try our best to answer your query. If we are unable to, we will pass to the relevant authority for further clarification.

Email us at [email protected]

Top Tips

Your BID Directors have been discussing top tips. If you have any you would like to share, please do contact us!

• Update your website and social media; please contact us if you require free training.
• Make sure your contact details are clearly visible.
• Use Facebook adverts.
• Communicate with your existing database – let them know what you are doing.
• Start a Click and Collect service.
• Start a delivery service.
• Consider promotions and time sensitive offers.
• Could you provide Zoom meetings with potential customers to discuss products, price, purchase etc?
• Personal shopping offer? Invite customers to ask what they should buy a particular friend/family member for Christmas. For example, they could list a few of the person’s likes and ask for a recommendation.
• Focus on products that are known to be good sellers at Christmas and push them out.
• Make your business personal with real photos and videos and by introducing yourself online.
• Send us your details if you are providing a delivery/click and collect service.
• Collaborate with other local businesses.
• Send us your script for an advert for Elf Radio, which will be played in the town centre. Find out more and provide your script here.

Please get in touch with us if you would like support with any of these.

Free Social Media Training

A strong online presence is so important at the moment. We have teamed up with Edeal and Ditzy Media to offer free social media training to Eastbourne-based businesses. Funding (from Eastbourne Borough Council) and space is limited so this is on a first come first served basis.

For a free two-hour social media training session, email [email protected] 

COVID-Ready Quality Scheme

If you haven’t already done so, now is the perfect time to sign up for Eastbourne’s very own COVID-Ready Scheme. Many businesses across Eastbourne have already signed up and are displaying their window stickers, showing they are meeting all guidelines, and they are now listed on the Visit Eastbourne website. 

It is free for BID members to sign up to the scheme. Find out more here.

The scheme is supported by the European Regional Development Fund and East Sussex Primary Authority, which includes Trading Standards, Environmental Health and East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service.  It is accessible to all business sizes and provides expert guidance on best practice for social distancing measures, cleaning regimes, staff training and responding to signs of infection.