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.

• Information from the Government on the full package of support available.

 

Business Rates Expanded Retail Discount 

In 2020, as part of the Government’s business support package, the Chancellor of Exchequer extended business rate relief, both in terms of the levels of discount and the types of businesses that may benefit. This Expanded Retail Discount has been further extended in 2021 for three months at 100% (until 30 June 2021) and for the remainder of the year until 31 March 2022 at 66% for qualifying properties (subject to a cash cap). This also applies for Nursery Discount. Please visit How to reduce your Business Rates | Castle Point for further details

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) 

As of 12 April, many shops and businesses are now allowed to reopen, but must have strict Covid-19 regulations in place. However, there are still restrictions on which businesses can open - an up to date list of those premises cannot open yet, and any exemptions, can be found on the Government Website.

 

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

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.