The Government has announced further grants for ratepayers required to close under national restrictions. These are for a 44 day period from 16 February to 31 March 2021.

If you have received a grant for the period 5 January to 15 February 2021 you will automatically be paid for this 44 day period. Therefore there is no need to contact the Council. Payment should have been paid into your bank account on Friday 12 March 2021.

Local Restrictions Support Grants

The amounts which will have been paid are:

• For properties with a rateable value of £15,000 or under £2,096
• For properties with a rateable value £15,000 – or less than £51,000: £3,143
• For properties with a rateable value of £51,000 or a above £4,714.00

There is no additional one-off grant payment.

This scheme will close on the 31 May 2021.

On 3 March 2021, Government announced the introduction of grant support for non-essential retail, hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym businesses in England.

You will have to make an application for this grant. Further details on when this will open will be available after 1 April 2021.

The Restart Grant scheme for non-essential retail premises will be a one-off payment:

• Businesses with a rateable value of exactly £15,000 or under on 1 April 2021 will receive a payment of £2,667.
• Businesses with a rateable value over £15,000 – or less than £51,000 on 1 April 2021 will receive £4,000
• Businesses with a rateable value of exactly £51,000 or over on 1 April 2021 will receive £6,000

Eligibility criteria is available at the following link:

Restart grant guidance for non-essential businesses PDF

The Restart Grant scheme for hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym businesses will be a one-off payment as below:

• Businesses with a rateable value of exactly £15,000 or under will receive a payment of £8,000
• Businesses with a rateable value over £15,000 - or less than£51,000 will receive £12,000
• Businesses with a rateable value of exactly £51,000 or over will receive £18,000

Eligibility criteria is available at the following link:

Restart grant guidance for hospitality PDF

The Government has advised that certain additional information which has not been requested previously must be provided by businesses for the restart grant. Failure to supply this will result in non-payment of the grant.

For these and other grant availability please visit : Grants for Business Rates - Runnymede Borough Council

Business Runnymede is working in partnership with Air Social, a social media consultancy to support Runnymede SME’s to prepare for re-opening of non-essential businesses from 12 April.

The FREE workshops for SME’s are to enhance their opportunity to be competitive in these challenging times. By up-skilling their social media knowledge, businesses will be better equipped to stay at the forefront of today’s consumer demands and enhance their digital business profile and opportunities.

These workshops are bookable through our Eventbrite page.

Workshops will include:

• 31 March at 10am - Increase the visibility of your business on Google with Google My Business.
• 8 April at 10am - Learn how to use Facebook effectively for your business.
• 9 April at 10am - Enhance your business’s Instagram social media presence.
• 22 April time TBC - Learn how to use social media effectively for your business through a free, personalised social media workshop. Limited spaces.

The workshops are funded by the European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) to support the ‘Reopening of High Street safely’ project.

Book now to avoid disappointment!

We have been working with a local business and Business Runnymede member Kingsley Print and Design to keep our high streets safe.

The Covid recovery road map has started to ease restrictions as schools have returned and non-essential shops begin to re-open in April. We still need to remind the public this is not over yet.

We have designed simple attractive messaging, encouraging the public to wear PPE, sanitise and keep their distance, whilst being respectful to all.

Have you seen our signs on bus stops and street furniture?

A social media campaign will follow with reminders to our followers on how we need to behave to keep the virus at bay and proceed with the new normal. If you see these messages, please do share them on your own social channels.

Runnymede Borough Council's new Covid Marshals will be out and about in Runnymede during the next few months, to advise residents and businesses about Coronavirus rules and restrictions.

Most businesses and individuals in the Borough have stuck to the rules, if the marshals see any rare examples of non-compliance, they can work with the police and environmental health staff to enforce them if they feel it's necessary.

The marshals are Government funded, not from Council Tax or Business Rates.

Please be respectful if you see them. Their role is to keep everyone safe and healthy and reduce the risk of the virus spreading.

Chertsey's new business park has just welcomed its first two firms, owner Runnymede Borough Council has announced.

Fragrance company Ultra International UK has moved into a 6,200 sq ft unit. The company's Chief Executive Priya Sanganeria said: "We are very pleased to set up our operations at Chertsey. It is a new build, very good quality. A big advantage is the close proximity to Heathrow. It is easy for material to go in and out and also very convenient for customers to visit and inspect our facility."

They have been joined by neighbours Marathon Bags, which has a 4,000 sq ft unit. Director Simon Worthington said: "We chose Chertsey Business Park as it gives us close and easy access to (our sister business) AlleyCatz as well as the M25, M3 and M4.

Chertsey Business Park opened in October 2020 with 62,000 sq ft of modern energy efficient warehouse style space with offices. It was set up by Runnymede Borough Council on land it owns at Hanworth Lane, to help improve the borough's economy and support local people.

Read this full article and find out more about Chertsey Business Park.

Runnymede Borough Council has introduced a Community Infrastructure Levy which will affect developers building homes or offices in most areas of the Borough.

The levy is a non-negotiable charge, which is calculated on a pounds per square metre basis.

The CIL charging schedule and further guidance is available on the Council's website at www.runnymede.gov.uk/CIL

Business owners and managers: Did you know free twice-weekly Coronavirus lateral flow tests are available to you so your staff can be tested if they can’t work from home?

The kits are available from the Government to any business with more than 50 employees. They should be used at the workplace rather than at home.

To receive the kits, you must apply via the UK Government test kits, before 31 March 2021

Businesses in Surrey could be affected by climate change in several ways. These include the possibility of flood damage in some areas and inefficient heating systems in buildings, which can affect staff productivity and wellbeing.

Surrey County Council offers a range of support measures to help businesses to mitigate and manage these impacts.

The green economy in Surrey is growing with the creation of "green jobs" in the county projected to be amongst the highest in England.

The Council is committed to supporting green growth and skills by supporting businesses to reduce carbon from their buildings and operations, saving money and reaching new customers.

To find more visit Surrey County Council business and climate change page.

Join FSB virtual events, including networking, business surgeries and webinars, designed to help businesses find advice, support and guidance for SME’s during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The events are free and open to all small businesses and the self-employed across the UK.

For more information visit FSB website.

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

Virtual Members Networking – Thursday 25 March

Each month, Surrey Chambers likes to invite its members to join this free event to get together and catch up on the happenings of the previous month’s business calendar.

Re-Energise Mind & Body - Practical Techniques For Wellbeing – Wednesday 28 April

An interactive session that will guide attendees on an upper body stretch routine, whilst sitting at their desk. The stretches help to relieve tension, improve posture, re-energise as well as calm your mind.

Exploring wellbeing: Why addressing mental health at SMEs is vital – Thursday 29 April

Join Jen Clay of Oakleaf Enterprise and Sally Pritchett of Something Big for an hour of thought-provoking discussion on how to address mental health and wellbeing within your business.

visit: Surrey Chamber of Commerce for upcoming events!

Join us on our social media sites, where we will be posting regular updates on our Twitter , LinkedIn and Instagram Instagram 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.