Heritage and Arts in the Royal Borough

We wanted to let you know that the team is working remotely and we are here to help with any questions or queries you might have.

From the network meetings great connections and support were already forming and if we can continue this remotely then please let us know. We are hoping to try and capture the impact this is having on our industry so we can effectively share with others.

There have been announcements by government on grants available to small businesses and I will let you know if I receive further details on this. Through our museum network we have received the attached which we found useful and our Museum Development Officer also shared the following links:

Information and advice for the general public
Latest advice from the GOV.UK
Latest advice from NHS
Latest advice from Public Health England
Latest advice from MIND: Coronavirus and your wellbeing

Information and advice for the businesses
Latest government advice for employers and businesses
Latest advice from the Federation of Small Businesses

The UK government has set out a package of temporary measures to support public services and businesses through this period of disruption. These include:
Statutory sick pay relief package for small and medium-sized businesses to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) paid for sickness absence due to COVID-19.
expanding the 100% business rates holiday for the next 12 months to cover all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England - not just those up to £51k Rateable Value
For small businesses that pay business rates: a £25,000 cash grant to retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in smaller premises, with a Rateable Value below £51k. Any enquiries on eligibility for, or provision of, the reliefs should be directed to the relevant local authority. Guidance for local authorities on the business rates holiday will be published by 20 March.
· For small businesses that pay little or no business rates: a one-off grant of £10000 to businesses currently eligible for Small Business Rate Relief or Rural Rate Relief. If your business is eligible, you will be contacted by your local authority – you do not need to apply. Funding for the scheme will be provided to local authorities by government in early April. Guidance for local authorities on the scheme will be provided shortly.

The situation is changing daily but hope there are some useful links for you.