COVID-19: support for businesses
Blackpool Council is committed to helping businesses in the town to access the support available to help them cope with the COVID 19 pandemic.
We will be regularly updating the information available here on Blackpool Unlimited to be as current as possible.
*Latest News*
Restrictions on businesses and venues in England
From 24 September, businesses selling food or drink (including cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants), social clubs, casinos, bowling alleys, amusement arcades (and other indoor leisure centres or facilities), funfairs, theme parks, and adventure parks and activities, and bingo halls, must be closed between 10pm and 5am. This will include take-aways, but delivery and drive-thru services can continue after 10pm.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak presented the Winter Economy Plan to Parliament on Thursday 24 September 2020 to outline how the government will support jobs and the economy over the coming months.
A new Job Support Scheme will be introduced from 1 November to protect viable jobs in businesses who are facing lower demand over the winter months due to coronavirus. Under the scheme, which will run for six months, the government will contribute towards the wages of employees who are working fewer than normal hours due to decreased demand.
Self-employment income support scheme
The Government is continuing its support for millions of self-employed individuals by extending the Self Employment Income Support Scheme Grant (SEISS).
The temporary 15% VAT cut for the tourism and hospitality sectors will be extended to the end of March next year. In addition, business who deferred their VAT bills will be given more breathing space through the New Payment Scheme, which gives them the option to pay back in smaller instalments. Self-assessment taxpayers will be able to benefit from a separate additional 12-month extension from HMRC on the “Time to Pay” self-service facility, meaning payments deferred from July 2020, and those due in January 2021, will now not need to be paid until January 2022.
Giving businesses flexibility to pay back loans
Businesses who took out a Bounce Back Loan will be given the option to repay their loan over a period of up to ten years through a new Pay as You Grow flexible repayment system. Interest-only periods of up to six months and payment holidays will also be available to businesses.
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme lenders will be given the ability to extend the length of loans from a maximum of six years to ten years if it will help businesses to repay the loan
The government is extending four temporary loan schemes to 30 November 2020 for new applications: As a result, more businesses will now be able to benefit from the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme, the Bounce Back Loan Scheme and the Future Fund
The NHS Test and Trace App will be released to the public on 24 September. For this to work successfully it will need the support of businesses and venues.
As a business or venue you should download your unique QR code poster and display it prominently at the entrances to your premises. Do this now and be ready for the launch of the app
Find more information and download your QR poster now.
Changes to COVID-19 restrictions in Lancashire (NOT inc Blackpool) We will keep you updated on any changes to local restrictions
A full range of business support measures have been made available to UK businesses for:
- Paying your employees
- Paying sick pay
- Paying tax
- Business rates relief
- Business support grant funds
- Support for the self-employed
- Support for small and medium-sized businesses
- Support for large businesses
Find out what financial support schemes you may be eligible for
Find coronavirus financial support for your business
Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
More information and how to make a claim
Support for businesses who are paying sick pay to employees
Eligibility and how to access the scheme
Paying tax & VAT
Deferral of VAT payments due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Deferral of Self-Assessment payments due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
If you cannot pay your tax bill on time
Support for businesses that pay business rates
Business rates holiday for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses
Further guidance for local authorities is available in the expanded retail discount guidance.
Check if your nursery is eligible for business rates relief
A business rates holiday for nurseries has been introduced
Support for the self-employed - Updated 18th August
If you’re eligible for the second and final grant, and your business has been adversely affected on or after 14 July 2020, you can make a claim on or before 19 October 2020. You can claim for the second grant even if you did not make a claim for the first grant.
Claim a grant through the coronavirus (COVID-19) Self-employment Income Support Scheme
Support for small and medium-sized businesses
Apply for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
Apply for the Coronavirus Future Fund
Apply for a Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan
Support for large businesses
Apply for the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme
Apply for the COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility
New measures to protect UK high street from aggressive rent collection and closure
High street shops and other companies under strain will be protected from aggressive rent collection and asked to pay what they can during the coronavirus pandemic.
Guidance for UK businesses trading internationally.
The guidance here is for UK businesses that export or deliver goods and services abroad and have been impacted by the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Offer coronavirus (COVID-19) support from your business
Use this service to tell how your business might be able to help with the response to coronavirus. Check what support is needed here
Coronavirus (COVID-19): fraud and cyber crime
Advice and guidance here on how to protect yourself and your business from fraud and cyber crime.
Additional government resources to support your business during coronavirus disruptions
We are here to help. Please complete the form outlining your enquiry by clicking on this link.
