COVID-19 support for business

Business grants November 2020

Additional Restrictions Grant - phase one

On 31 October 2020 the Government announced funding for local authorities through the Additional Restrictions Grant, to enable them to support businesses in their local economies affected by COVID-19, in particular, those who are not eligible for grant funding under the Local Restrictions Support Grant.

West Suffolk Council has now launched Phase one of its Additional Restrictions Grant scheme. Find out more and apply for Additional Restrictions business support grants.

Local restrictions business support grants November 2020

As part of its national restriction measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Government has announced grant funding to be paid out by councils to businesses that have, as a result, been told to close.

These will be paid as one-off grants to cover a 28-day period from 5 November to 2 December 2020. Find out more and apply for Local restrictions business support grants

Further guidance and suppport

The Government has issued new restrictions which came into force from Thursday, 5 November. This new guidance meant some businesses had to close or others operate in other ways.

Businesses can contact the New Anglia Growth Hub, hosted by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, to receive the most up to date advice and guidance as issued by Government. Visit New Anglia Growth Hub website or 0300 333 6536.

Help is also available for employees and staff who may need financial help if they have been asked by NHS Test and Trace to quarantine with the introduction of Test and Trace Support payments

Fraud advice

In an initiative between government and the independent charity Crimestoppers, the public can now call a new COVID Fraud Hotline (0800 587 5030) anonymously and free of charge to report suspected fraudulent activity. The COVID Fraud Hotline is open 24/7, 365 days a year on 0800 587 5030 or fill in the simple and secure anonymous form at www.Covidfraudhotline.org 

The Government announced on 22 September additional restrictions across the country that could affect your business. They are:

Wearing face masks

Businesses and organisations face stricter rules to make their premises COVID Secure (from 28 September).

Staff are required to wear a face covering in areas that are open to the public or where they are likely to come within close contact with a member of the public.

People are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings in any other enclosed public spaces where there are people they do not normally meet.

You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a legitimate reason not to.

QR codes for Test and Trace

Government requires certain businesses and facilities to dispaly a QR code for Test and Trace as there is a legal requirement to log customer, visitor and staff details.

These organisations and businesses must display official NHS QR code posters under law. Businesses are expected to make sure their customers are aware of the rules around QR codes by displaying posters and speaking to customers directly.

It is now mandatory for a wider range of businesses and organisations to collect customer, visitor and staff contact details. This is vital for the NHS Test and Trace service in England to contact the necessary people if coronavirus outbreaks are identified in venue.

For guidance on who should display a QR code and how to create one visit: GOV.UK - Create a coronavirus NHS QR code for your venue or visit the NHS website

Opening hours

Businesses selling food or drink (including cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants) must be closed.

However there are exemptions that mean businesses listed above can offer takeaways services between 5am and 10pm. This means customers may enter your premises but COVID secure measures must be in place. Between 10pm and 5am businesses can offer takeaway services but must be delivery or drive through services only. ( 6 November 2020)

For up to date advice and guidance on coronavirus visit:

For more advice and support, please contact West Suffolk Council’s Commercial Environmental Health team at food&safety@westsuffolk.gov.uk

Our economic development team

Any business in the West Suffolk area concerned about their specific circumstances or confused about where they can go for support can contact: economic.development@westsuffolk.gov.uk or phone 01284 757114.

Pavement licences

For more information about pavement licenses, street trading and vending visit: Street trading and vending