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New Header March 2020



The newsletter of the *Nottingham team* of the *D2N2 Growth Hub*



We're here to support"your business."





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*Coming soon: Discretionary Business Grant Scheme*

Since the launch of the Governments Business Support Grants scheme,Nottingham City Councilhas been aware that many small businesses, especially those in multiple occupancy premises, online businesses and charities, have been unable to find the support they need. We lobbied Government to provide additional support to Nottingham businesses and are pleased to see that the Governmenthas announced a new, albeit very limited, discretionary fund.

We know that this grant will be for small businesses with fewer than 50 staff. We also know that this funding is not for businesses who are eligible for the Small Business Rate Relief grant or the retail/hospitality/leisure operator grant.

It will help you toprepare some information in advance so you canapply sooner once we have received guidance and have a process in place.

You can start to prepare the information that we will need, this is likely to include:


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Nameand address of business


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Evidence of number of employees


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Rateable value of property (if applicable)


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Evidence that the business wasoperational at 11 March 2020


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Sector


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Bank details (ideally with photographic proof/scanned bank details to avoid incorrect bank details)


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Costs such as rent to helpusunderstand the ongoing costs you have


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Level of reserves if you are a charity


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Evidence that you are either closed or severely impacted byCOVID-19

As soon as we know more we will update theDiscretionary Business Grant Scheme section*our main webpage* [ [link removed] ] and share this as soon asitsavailablevia our twitter account*@GrowingNottm* [ [link removed] ]and in this newsletter.

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Check if you can claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)

If you're self-employed or a member of a partnership and have been adversely affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) find out if you can use this scheme to claim a grant.The scheme will allow you to claim a taxable grant of 80% of your average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering 3 months, and capped at 7,500 altogether. This is a temporary scheme, but it may be extended.

*Read more on the Gov.UK website* [ [link removed] ].

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Building Business Resilience in the East Midlands

The Growth Hub *Business Resilience Programme* across the East Midlands are now offering 1-2-1 video calls to businesses with a specific focus on COVID-19 impacts and to offer practical advice.

To book your place *please visit the Eventbrite page [ [link removed] ]*.


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RESTART Programme webinar Tuesday 12May

COVID-19 has hit our business communities incredibly hard, many business owners have had to scale back their operations or even cease trading all together. Much of the governments funding and initiatives have rightly centred around short-term crisis management but as talk turns to restarting the economy, companies will see an abrupt end to this crisis funding and be expected to resume business quickly. Restarting from what has been a 'standing stop' and switching from crisis to operational mode almost overnight, is going to prove a massive challenge for many business owners.

This webinar is being run by The Export Department and is fully funded by the East Midlands Growth Hubs. *The RESTART programme provides a mixture of coaching and 'hands on' support, uniquely tailored to participating businesses as they prepare to resume trading.*

*Find out more [ [link removed] ].*
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*Celebrating Nottinghams Businesses*
MarketingNG Logo

In his latest guest article, Paul Southby, Chair of*MarketingNG* [ [link removed] ], shares his thoughts on the great work being done across Nottingham and Notts in response to the threat from COVID-19. Thanks again Paul for your contribution!

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted us all personally, but also virtually every business in Nottingham. Whilst we have all had our lives turned upside down, a huge number of Nottinghams businesses have risen to the challenge, displaying extraordinary levels of compassion, selflessness and innovation in order to help others to weather this storm, or simply to brighten someones day.

Here are a few examples which I think deserve recognition for their remarkable actions and initiatives, in no particular order:


* Chefs at some of Nottinghams top restaurants are cooking thousands of free meals for vulnerable people and NHS staff. Founded in Nottingham, the not-for-profit Open Kitchens scheme aims to raise 185,000to get 100,000simple and nutritious meals to those most in need. Those taking part include Yamas, Petit Paris,Bar Iberico, the Trent Navigation,The Angel and chefs atNottingham Forest FC. *You can donate to help them help others in need here [ [link removed] ]*
* Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham have supplied 16 machines to test for coronavirus. Together, the machines can perform an estimated 20,000 tests per day
* Castle Rock Brewerylaunched its own hardship fund to support its staff during the pandemic, and has also committed to paying its suppliers on time, despite the closure of its 22 pubs
* 200 Degrees Coffee donated around 10,000 acetate sheetsto the citysQueen's Medical Centre hospital for use in protective visors for NHS staff

There are many more, and you can see a regularly updated list of the fantastic local businesses which are helping Nottingham people and our key workers at this difficult time on the *Visit Nottinghamshire website* [ [link removed] ].

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Nottingham Jobs and ESF logos
A wide range of support for employers


*Nottingham Jobs [ [link removed] ]* is an established and trusted local service for job seekers and employers. We offer a unique, fully funded and impartial service, working with businesses in the City and Greater Nottingham to recruit, manage, motivate and support our local workforce. Contact us at*[email protected]* <[email protected]> or call *0115 8764508 *(lines are open 9am to 5pm Monday - Friday).

*We can offer you:*

**Redundancy support * *if you have already made employees redundant or are about to, we can support both you as an employer, and your employees, to manage the transition.

*Training* Nottingham Jobs partners can deliver pre-employment training, licences or other technical requirements necessary for staff to perform the duties required in the new roles of your changing workforce.

*Online recruitment support* linking our candidate pool with your workforce needs. We can source, assess and screen candidates according to your specification and assist you to engage with them virtually.

*Candidate pool* working closely with DWP and other partners to support new claimants via employment programmes such as *Way2Work* [ [link removed] ]. These activities will deliver a substantial pool of good quality candidates.

*Apprenticeship delivery* our apprenticeship offer to businesses is continuing. If you are ready to take on a new apprentice, or to support existing staff to begin a training programme, we can help you to understand apprenticeships, access funding including NCC levy transfers, keep your team engaged and get the right skills in your business.

*Support to find agency staff* either through the Futures Apprenticeship Training Agency (Futures Employment Solutions) or third party employment agencies, allowing you to move quickly and have the staff you need in place.

*www.nottinghamjobs.com [ [link removed] ]*
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And Finally...*Email the Editor <[email protected]>.*

Do you have a positive story to tell about how your business is getting through the COVID-19 outbreak or how you are supporting your local community? I'd love to publish some of them here or on our twitter account [ [link removed] ].

Thank you!

Andrew
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*Important message about your personal data:*

In response to COVID-19, Nottingham City Council and partners Nottingham BID, MarketingNG and the D2N2 Growth Hub have shared data in order to get messages out to as many affected businesses as possible. If you do not wish to receive these updates, you can unsubscribe using the link in the footer below.



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Contact the Nottingham team of the D2N2 Growth Hub on 0333 0069178

Visit our website www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk [ [link removed] ]

Follow us on Twitter @GrowingNottm [ [link removed] ]

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