How businesses can access support in Swindon

Advice and guidance for businesses continues to evolve so we wanted to summarise some of it in the below newsletter. This edition includes guidance on how to apply for the discretionary grant fund, advice for retailers in the town centre and other shopping areas, and prepping your workplace to re-open safely.

How to apply for Discretionary Grant Funding

Eligible firms in Swindon are now able to apply for the Discretionary Grant Fund which will allow some small businesses who have not previously been eligible for other government grant schemes to access critical support. This money is a grant and does not need to be paid back.

Mandatory criteria for all applicants includes:

• Relatively high ongoing fixed property related costs (e.g. rent, mortgage, rate etc.)
• Small or micro businesses with 49 employees or less
• Demonstrate a significant financial fall in income as a result of COVID-19 (even if you are still trading)
• Occupy property, or part of a property, with a rateable value or annual rent or annual mortgage payments below £51,000
• Have been trading on 11 March 2020
• For applicants working from home, you must demonstrate your defined work area and costs associated

Applications will be considered from:

• Small businesses in shared offices or other workspaces where someone else pays the business rates
• Regular market traders with fixed building costs and street trading licences
• Bed & Breakfasts that pay council tax instead of business rates
• Charity properties in receipt of charitable business rate relief in properties with low rateable assessments
• Other types of companies or charities where applicants meet the mandatory criteria

Any business which has received or is eligible for some other COVID-19 government grant schemes, including the Small Business Grant or Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant, is not eligible for this discretionary funding. However, if you have used the Job Retention Scheme, Self-employed Income Grant, furloughed any of your workforce or accessed a COVID-19 loan, you can apply.

Even if you are now planning to reopen your business or you have been trading throughout, you are still able to apply if you can demonstrate income loss due to COVID-19.

A full list of the criteria, guidance and the application form can be found on the Council’s website and applications must be made before 9pm on Sunday 21 June.

Find out more about the grant schemes and apply here

Retail, Leisure & Hospitality and Small Business Grants still open

These government Coronavirus grant schemes are still available. Please view the guidance and information here and contact the Grants Team on [email protected] if you think your business or charity is eligible.

Re-opening non-essential retail safely

Safety measures have been put in place to allow more retailers to open from Monday (15 June). 

Clear signage and floor markings are in place to remind people to socially distance themselves from people not in their household while shared spaces, such as benches, are being cleaned regularly.

College Street, near Tesco Metro, is closed to traffic until further notice to pedestrianise this area of the town centre and allow for queuing systems to be safely implemented.

Further information and advice for re-opening

TechSwindon

The TechSwindon campaign draws together the tech-focused community from across all businesses and sectors in the region. It’s goal is to support, promote and connect groups, companies and individuals who are contributing, or have a desire to contribute, to Swindon’s tech impressive economy. TechSwindon is a Switch On To Swindon project.

We have recently partnered with Set Squared which is delivering free support to eligible tech businesses with sector experts on hand to help mentor and scrutinise business models to develop new and existing products and identify new revenue streams. 

We also have a programme of online events with great speakers and contributors supporting all things tech which is well worth a look for the tech curious. 

Supporting Swindon's future workforce

Meet Laura, one of Swindon’s Young Apprentice Ambassadors

Laura joined New College Swindon three years ago as their marketing apprentice. Now she is their marketing assistant and here she shares a few reflections on what it's been like working from home for the last few months: 

"I feel very lucky that I've been given the opportunity to carry on working from home. It means that I get an extra couple of hours every day, where I would usually be travelling to and from work and I have more flexibility in how I work. I can listen to whatever music I like; can sit in the garden and work in the sun!

"The biggest challenges have been the lack of social contact and the uncertainty of it all. I really appreciate that my line manager and head of marketing have tried to keep things as ‘normal’ as possible and ensure that we still have a routine to follow and don’t feel isolated at all."

If you have any young apprentices who would like to find out more about being a Young Apprentice Ambassador for Swindon or would like to join the Apprenticeships Ambassador Network as an employer, please go to www.southwestaan.com.

Are you looking after your own wellbeing?

This is a very challenging and uncertain time for business leaders and their workforce. We want to remind our business community that there is help there for people to stay both mentally and physically well during this time. To find out more about local services please click here.

Swindon Mind is also producing a number of wellbeing podcasts which can be found on this website and we would also encourage you to share this with your staff. 

Prepare your workplace to meet COVID-19 guidelines

Do you need to modify your workplace to meet Government social distancing guidelines? Are you looking to use your workspace for other purposes? 

The Council’s Building Control service can help ensure that your new set-up complies with fire safety and building regulations. They can also advise you on good practice around workspace planning and updating your fire risk assessments.

Please call 01793 466050 or email [email protected] to discuss your changing workspace needs with a local Building Control Surveyor.

Advice available through the Swindon & Wiltshire Growth Hub and other local business support providers

The Swindon and Wiltshire Growth Hub has advice available for businesses in Swindon, particularly those who are not eligible for government grants but are still looking for support. You can find out more on their website and speak to an advisor. 

Business West uses business experts to offer guidance and support through the ‘Trading through Coronavirus’ website.

The Federation of Self-Employed and Small Businesses also offers excellent advice and events here as does the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, with details found here.

Support available to residents of Swindon

As a council, we want to make sure we are supporting Swindon's residents as much as possible through this pandemic. We have a package of 12 measures which you can read about and share with your staff via the Here For Swindon webpage.

There are also several things you can do to look after yourselves and those around you during this time, which you can find here. 

Find regular updates on council services here.