Covid-19 Resources: Businesses

  • The Kickstart Scheme makes up part of the Government’s Plan for Jobs’ skills and employment programmes, which also include Apprenticeships, T Levels and Traineeships and has now been extended until March 2022.

  • The self-employed can apply for the fourth round of the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) covering February, March, and April. Those eligible for the grant can claim 80% of their monthly profits capped at £2,500. Workers are now able to submit their 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 self-assessment tax returns as evidence of their earnings, making more people eligible for the scheme. Find out more HERE

  • A new Help to Grow initiative has been announced which will offer free MBA-style management training for businesses to boost innovation and growth. For firms to adopt new technology, the initiative will also fund a 50% discount on software and expert advice through free online courses on how to use it. Find out more HERE

  • You can apply for more time to file your company's accounts with Companies House, click HERE

  • Check if you can claim back Statutory Sick Pay paid to employees due to COVID-19, click HERE

  • The government has announced a £20 million Brexit Support Fund to help small and medium-sized businesses to adjust to new customs, rules of origin, and VAT rules when trading with the EU. Read the full Brexit Support Fund announcement on the government website, HERE

  • Discover Bristol's best independent businesses! Browse the free directory of local independent food, drink, shops and classes HERE

  • The Prince's Responsible Business Network has some Wellbeing resources from Business in the Community on their website. You can also download a COVID-19: employee health and wellbeing toolkit HERE

  • Our Frontline offers round-the-clock one-to-one support, by call or text for frontline health, care, emergency, education and key workers. Find out more HERE

  • WECA's Growth Hub has a range of programmes and information to help businesses during this difficult time, including business support, mental health training, and more.

  • The Enterprise Nation has a coronavirus small business support hub that helps start-ups and small businesses across every sector and in every region.

  • The FSB Legal Hub provides online legal information and is a reliable source for factsheets and precedent documents.

  • The Business Growth Programme provides the highest level of expertise, experience, and interactive engagement that traditional business courses or online resources are unable to offer.

  • If you would like to find out the support available for businesses click HERE

  • The Sib Group has a page on Covid-19 resources and information, click HERE

  • Have you filed your Self Assessment tax return online? To do so click HERE

  • Businesses in the south of the city can sign up for free South Bristol Enterprise Support (SBES) help! Set up by Bristol City Council, YTKO, SSE, Knowle West Media Centre, and the Princes’ Trust, the programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and combines advice, mentorship, business support and funding throughout south Bristol. To find out more HERE

  • West of England Green Business Grants supports small to medium-sized businesses and enterprises to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings and business operations. A new grant round is scheduled to open soon, for more info click HERE

  • The Inclusive Economy Partnership launches its third scale-up programme for social ventures: BOOST 2021. They are looking for organisations that can improve the livelihoods of people across the UK through improved mental health, increased financial resilience, the support and skills to access quality work, and through digital inclusion. Find out more HERE

  • Bristol City Council have a variety of Local Restrictions Support Grants which have been arranged into a useful and easy to view table for businesses to navigate, access them HERE

  • The part-time UWE Bristol International Talent Remote Internship Scheme is now open. The scheme provides the opportunity for UK registered employers to recruit the university’s international students over a 5 or 10 week period. Find out more HERE

  • The UK Government has announced an overhaul of the Prompt Payment Code (PPC) to crack down on delayed invoices owed to small businesses. Under new reforms, companies that have signed up to the PPC will be obliged to pay small businesses within 30 days – half the time outlined in the current code, find out more HERE

  • Bristol City Council have a variety of Local Restrictions Support Grants which have been arranged into a useful and easy to view table for businesses to navigate, access them HERE

  • Whether you are an established business, one of Bristol’s independent traders, or self-employed, the council is working hard to make sure you get the financial support you are entitled to during this difficult time. Find out more information HERE

  • Community surge testing can help us learn more about new variants of Covid-19 and reduce the spread of infection. Cases of a variant of COVID-19, commonly known as the Brazil variant, have been found in areas of South Gloucestershire. South Gloucestershire Council are providing additional community testing (surge testing) to help identify this variant and stop the spread of the virus. Find out more HERE

  • Bristol Community Development Finance (BCDF) is a not-for-profit social enterprise supporting local businesses to access simple and affordable business loans. BCDF can help them in identifying and applying for the right loan for their needs. This year they will offer free one-to-one support to Black-business owners looking to invest in their venture, informing them of their options and walking them through the steps necessary to be awarded the funding they need.