Coronavirus related information and advice for businesses

Supporting Businesses 

Castle Point Borough Council is committed to supporting our businesses through this challenging period, and works with specialist organisations to provide the specialist advice businesses need to access grants, funding and guidance: 

• Businesses across South Essex, including those in Castle Point, can find specific business support to help them through this period by contacting the BEST Growth Hub:  www.bestgrowthhub.org.uk/business-readiness  

• Information from the Government on the full package of support available can be found: www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support         

 

Business Rates Retail Discount and Business Grants 

As part of the Government’s business support package the Chancellor of the Exchequer has extended business rate relief both in terms of the levels of discount, and the types of businesses that may benefit.  

Additionally, the following Business Grants will be available:

• Business grants for those businesses in the hospitality, accommodation and leisure sectors adversely impacted by TIER 2 restrictions during any period in which they are in force in Castle Point from the 17 October 2020.
• Business grants for all businesses required to close in England due to TIER 3, TIER 4 or national restrictions during any period in which that are in force in Castle Point from the 17^th October 2020.

For information on business rates and the Business Grants available please visit our Business Rates pages. 

Business Grants Apply Here

 

Christmas Support Payment Wet-Led Pubs

The Government has announced the introduction of a £1,000 one-off payment as additional support to ‘wet-led pubs’, in areas under Tier 2 or 3 restrictions between the 2 and 29 December 2020.

We are now inviting applications from 'wet-led' pubs that derive under 50% of their income from food sales. Applications must be made by the 31 January 2021.

Apply here

 

Essex Business Adaptation Funding

Essex County Council have provided Castle Point Borough Council with funding to help small and medium businesses adapt their premises and/or operations so they can continue to operate in a COVID-secure environment, while the law allows them to remain open or when restrictions are removed and they are able to reopen.

Apply for Business Adaptation Funding

 

Business, premises or place closures to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) 

Under the provisions of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Business Closure)(England) Regulations 2020, the Government may announce the closures of businesses and premises of different types to prevent the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) and save lives. This list has varied over time based on the prevalence of the Coronavirus. An up to date list of those premises that must shut, and any exemptions can be found on the Government’s website at: www.gov.uk/coronavirus

 

Local support for businesses to become COVID-19 Secure and the enforcement of closures to prevent the spread of coronavirus

The Environmental Health Team at Castle Point Borough Council have been and will continue to work with businesses to ensure they are COVID-19 Secure and comply with any requirements to close.    

The Environmental Health Team have been working with businesses to ensure they are implementing safe measures for minimising the risk of spreading the virus. Government Guidance on becoming COVID-19 Secure can be found at: www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19

Any businesses which require any advice are encouraged to contact the team: eh@castlepoint.gov.uk or 01268 882200.

The Environmental Health Team also have enforcement powers to ensure businesses do conform with any closures required and the requirements to ensure that businesses operate in a COVID-19 Secure manner. It is hoped that local businesses will comply with the advice in relation to COVID-19, in order to protect both themselves and others.  Action will however be taken where businesses do not comply and will enlist the support of Essex Police where necessary.  

If you witness any businesses not complying with these requirements or if you have any information to suggest that breaches are occurring within Castle Point, please inform Environmental Health via eh@castlepoint.gov.uk or calling 01268 8822000.  

Environmental Health are taking this matter very seriously and will not hesitate to take enforcement action if businesses do not comply with these requirements.