- London moved to Tier 2 Covid-19 measures from Saturday 17 October 2020. Under this “high” alert level, there is a ban on households mixing indoors, including in pubs and restaurants. Find out more here.
- On 9 October, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced an expansion of the Job Support Scheme for businesses that are required to close as a result of coronavirus restrictions during winter. The Government will pay two-thirds of employees’ salaries up to a maximum of £2,100 a month and offer cash grants for businesses required to close in local lockdowns of up to £3,000 per month. For more information, please click here.
- A new Job Support Scheme, designed for employees working at least a third of their normal hours, will be introduced from 1 November and will run for six months. Employers will continue to pay the wages of staff for the hours they work – but for the hours not worked, the government and the employer will each pay one third of their equivalent salary.
- The cut in VAT to 5% for the hospitality and tourism sector has been extended until 31 March.
- Firms that took government loans during the crisis will have longer to pay them back and companies that deferred their VAT bill will no longer have to pay a lump sum in March. Find out more here.
- All hospitality venues must operate with table service only, excluding takeaways, and must be closed between 10pm and 5am. This includes takeaways but delivery services can continue after 10pm.
- Office workers who can work from home should do so over the winter. Anyone else who cannot work from home should go to their place of work.
Support
Job Support Scheme factsheet, UK Government
Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant, UK Government
Job Support Scheme Expansion for Closed Business Premises, UK Government
Business support finder, UK Government – Find out what support is available for your business.
Coronavirus Business Support, UK Government – Find out how to access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the schemes open and how to apply
Support for Businesses and Employers, London Growth Hub
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme – FAQs for SMEs, British Business Bank
Job Retention scheme step by step guide for employers, UK Government
Furlough guide, CIPD
Claim for your employee’s wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, UK Government
Check if your employer can use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, UK Government
Business Rates – Expanded Retail Discount 2020/21: Coronavirus Response – Local Authority Guidance, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
Support for those affected by COVID-19, HM Treasury
Support for Businesses, UK Government
Support if you cannot pay your tax bill on time, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
Emergency fund established for community and voluntary sector, Mayor of London
Scheme to support the UK’s self-employed, UK Government
Advice and guidelines
Covid-19 local level alert posters, UK Government
Local COVID alert levels: what you need to know, UK Government
Find out the coronavirus restrictions in a local area, UK Government
Introducing the NHS Covid-19 App, NHS Test & Trace
Which venues in England should display the official NHS QR code poster?, NHS
How to Create a QR Poster for Your Venue, NHS Test & Trace
Tips for How to Display Your QR Poster, NHS Test & Trace
How to Use QR Codes to Check Into a Venue, NHS Test & Trace
Code of Practice for Commercial Property, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Guidance for queue management with social distancing, Westminster City Council
Off sales guidance for pubs, bars, and restaurants offering a take away service, Metropolitan Police
Central hub with advice and guidance for employers, CIPD
FAQ for employers, CIPD
Business and continuity planning, London Growth Hub
How to negotiate a rent holiday, London Growth Hub
Terminating and renegotiating existing commercial contracts, London Growth Hub
Guidance for Employers and Businesses on Coronavirus, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy/Public Health England
Poster for employers and businesses, Public Health England
What you need to know, Public Health Matters
Coronavirus infromation for businesses, residents and how to help, Westminster City Council
Webinars on employment law topics and employment relations, Acas
COVID-19 information leaflet, UK Government
Coronavirus Reference Scenario, Office for Budget Responsibility
Transport
Stations, lifts, escalators, works and closures, TfL
Find a Santander docking station, TfL
Cycle parking near Marble Arch and Edgware Road, Bike Data
Walking times between stations on the same line, TfL
Central London journeys that could be quicker to walk, TfL
Cycle to work Scheme – Guidance for employers, TfL
Free cycle training for people who live or work in Westminster, City of Westminster
Local car parks, Marble Arch London BID
Security
Communicating with a face covering – Things to consider for security personnel, CPNI
Security guidance for reopening, Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters
Look Up, Look Out Briefing Sheet for Staff, Metropolitan Police
Look Up, Look Out A5 Leaflet, Metropolitan Police
Business lockdown checklist, The Retailer
Crime prevention tips, Met Police Business Crime Hub
Six top tips for securing your shop, Safer Business Network
Security and staff safety advice for Pharmacies, The Metropolitan Police
Video conferencing – Using services securely, National Cyber Security Centre
Guidance on good personnel security, CPNI
How to protect yourself against Coronavirus scams, National Trading Standards – Scams Team
Advisory: COVID-19 exploited by malicious cyber actors, National Cyber Security Centre
Covid-19 related Fraud Risk, Fraud Advisory Panel
Mandate fraud guidance, Government Counter Fraud Function
A message to businesses in Westminster, from Head of Neighbourhood Policing for Central West Basic Command Unit, Superintendent Mark Lawrence
Hospitality
Advice for pubs, bars and restaurants on how to safely re-open, Westminster City Council
Reopening the Hospitality Sector – Licensing Update, Westminster City Council
Apply for a pavement licence, Westminster City Council – New pavement licences replace Westminster’s existing fast-track table and chairs licences
Register your establishment for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme, UK Government
Eat Out to Help Out Scheme promotional materials, UK Government
VAT: reduced rate for hospitality, holiday accommodation and attractions, UK Government
Test and trace guidance: Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors, UK Government
Covid-19 secure advice and risk assessments for hospitality businesses, UK Hospitality
TfL briefing for leisure and hospitality businesses, TfL
Resources and support for the hospitality industry, Code
Why most businesses can’t claim for Coronavirus losses, Big Hospitality
How to deal with your employees during COVID-19, UK Hospitality
Advice for licensed premises in the night time economy, Night Time Economy Solutions
Coronavirus: Essential employee factsheet, Big Hospitality
Recovery
Recovery Plan, Marble Arch London BID
Check if you should go back into work, UK Government
Working safely tool, UK Government
Working safely during coronavirus – guidance for all workplace settings, Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
Staying Covid-19 secure in 2020 poster, Health & Safety Executive
Getting back to work: Recommended suppliers, Marble Arch London BID
The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy, UK Government
Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19, WHO
Help and information to keep people safe and healthy at work, Health and Safety Executive
COVID-19: returning to the workplace, CIPD
Advice to retailers hiring additional staff to manage queues, SIA
Social distancing for stores and warehouses, British Retail Consortium
Restoring retail confidence checklist, Cushman & Wakefield
Returning to work – Fire safety matters, London Fire Brigade