The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) is now open to receive applications.

This grant scheme is discretionary and will be open for applications to both business rated (you receive a business rates bill) and non-business rated businesses.

The Government is encouraging these funds to be used to support businesses which have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions.

For more information, and how to apply, visit Runnymede Borough Council:

www.runnymede.gov.uk/Grants-for-Business-Rates.

Applications MUST be made by 11am on 11^th March, any applications submitted after this date will not be considered for the grant.

As the UK begins to look to easing lockdown rules, there are some Jobs that qualify for exemptions from quarantine when traveling into the UK. For more clarity of these jobs visit: GOV.UK for guidance.

(updated 15th February )

Cabinet Minister Michael Gove has announced a £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund to support small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) adjust to new customs, rules of origin, and VAT rules when trading with the EU.

SMEs who trade only with the EU and are therefore new to importing and exporting processes will be encouraged to apply for grants of up to £2,000 for each trader to pay for practical support, including training and professional advice to ensure they can continue trading effectively with the EU.

The fund will be administered through the pre-existing Customs Grant Scheme and will open for applications next month.

For further details visit Gov.uk SME Brexit Support Fund

Government support for exporters

• Department for International Trade’s Check How to Export Goods online tool, where you can find information on the UK border, and duties and customs procedures for over 160 markets around the world.
• VAT guidance about the conditions for zero rating VAT on the goods you export.
• The free Trader Support Service if your business move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
• An online guidance package developed by DEFRA with HMRC to guide fish exporters through each step of the export journey.
• HMRC’s Customs & International Trade Helpline to speak to an advisor on 0300 322 9434. The helpline is open from 8am to 10pm Monday to Friday and from 8am to 4pm at weekends. Or businesses can send HMRC any questions or use their webchat service.
• For any further queries or general business advice contact the government’s dedicated business support helplines.

On 10 January 2021, the Health Secretary announced an expansion of community testing across all local authorities in England to test people without COVID-19 symptoms who are unable to work from home during the national lockdown. This is called “Targeted Community Testing (symptom-free).”

Surrey County Council are appealing to businesses to help them get the message out to their staff to take up symptom-free tests and help stop the spread of the virus. This testing is for people that are not showing any symptoms of COVID-19 but who may be one of the 1 in 3 people who are carrying and spreading the virus without knowing.

Tests can be booked via the online booking system at one of the community testing locations in Woking, Spelthorne and Epsom and Ewell or at a pharmacy in Stoneleigh, Cranleigh or Caterham. More locations across Surrey will be introduced soon.

Employees can continue to work (unless they show new symptoms) whilst they await their test result which will be sent by SMS or email from NHS Test and Trace within 24 hours.

Staff do not have to be key workers – anyone who is permitted to leave home for work during national restrictions and is unable to access targeted community testing (symptom-free) through other routes, is eligible. This could include supermarket workers, delivery drivers, construction workers, bus drivers, postal workers, social workers, funeral directors, refuse collectors etc.

The British Business Bank, the UK’s economic development bank announces further details of "Pay As You Grow".

Helping the UK's smaller businesses that have taken out the Covid-19 emergency Bounce Back Loan to help manage their cash flow, have a better chance of getting back to growth.

More information can be found on the British Business Bank webpage

www.british-business-bank.co.uk/new-pay-as-you-grow

EM3 is looking for a new chair to lead its Board from the private sector - Are you an outstanding leader who can commit to further strengthening the diversity of its Board and its organisation to ensure the LEP reflects the communities it serves?

Your commercial knowledge and experience of working with others will be invaluable in helping us shape projects that range from linking employers to the skills agenda and helping young people choose the right career, to large scale infrastructure schemes, driving clean growth, and supporting companies to innovate and export overseas. Your ability to ‘join the dots’ and help us set out a path for the future will be of the utmost importance, to create the conditions that support companies to grow and driven to ensure it delivers the future the region deserves.

Applications via the Enterprise M3 website.

Surrey Chambers of Commerce continue to support businesses through regular events and webinars plus regular networking coffee mornings.

If you are looking for support and advice during lockdown, or you are preparing for post Brexit visit: Surrey Chamber of Commerce events

Join us on our social media sites, where we will be posting regular updates on our Twitter , LinkedIn and Instagram www.instagram.com/business_runnymede/ accounts.

Using social media has become important tool for success this year, we've seen some really inventive ideas and ways of engaging with customers although doors may be closed.

Come and say hello and follow us! We are happy to share your posts and profiles.