COVID-19 Business Support

 

National Support & Advice

VisitEngland’s Business Advice Hub features a dedicated section containing the support available to tourism businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, from funding to guidance on mental health.

Information signposted to includes:

  • Government support finder tool
  • Skills Toolkit
  • Tips on securing finance
  • Decontamination advice for hotel rooms
  • Support webinars

The page is reviewed and updated regularly.

The hub can be found here:

 

A full range of business support measures have been made available to UK businesses and employees by government including:

  • Bounce Back Loans Scheme
  • Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
  • Business Rates Holiday for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure
  • Cash Grant for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure
  • Small Business Grant Funding
  • Statutory Sick Pay Rebate
  • Time to Pay
  • COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility
  • VAT Deferral
  • Income Tax Deferral for the Self-Employed
  • Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
  • Additional 3 months to file accounts

More information on these can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

 

Support for the Self-Employed

Details here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-gives-support-to-millions-of-self-employed-individuals

 

There have also been a lot of enquiries from our accommodation partners with regards to closure and we have been asked to signpost to this page to help in terms of guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-advice-for-accommodation-providers

Updated guidance on social distancing in the workplace for businesses in England has been made available. Sector-specific guidance is available for shops running a pick-up or delivery service, retail, outdoor businesses, transport businesses as well as many more.

 

HMRC have also launched a Business Support Helpline to answer queries or concerns regarding tax payments and finding solutions, these include; agreeing an instalment arrangement, suspending debt collection proceedings and cancelling penalties and interest where you are having administrative difficulties.
The number is: 0800 024 1222 and more information can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tax-helpline-to-support-businesses-affected-by-coronavirus-covid-19

 

The government has started a Coronavirus WhatsApp Information Service to provide official, trustworthy and timely information and advice about coronavirus to as many people as possible. It will provide information on topics such as coronavirus prevention and symptoms, the latest number of cases in the UK, advice on staying at home, travel advice and myth busting via a chatbot.
To use this free service, simply add 07860 064422 in your phone contacts and then message the word ‘hi’ in a WhatsApp message to get started. More details can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-coronavirus-information-service-on-whatsapp

 

A new online Support Finder tool has also been launched to help businesses and self-employed people across the UK to determine what financial support is available to them. Fill out a simple online questionnaire, and you will be directed to a list of all the financial support you may be eligible for.

Access the Support Finder here.

 

#DreamOxfordshire Campaign
We are also working hard to support our partners and still promote our destination during this extraordinary time. We have launched a #DreamOxfordshire campaign to encourage positive action – and invite our partners to contribute to the message using the hashtag #DreamOxfordshire.

 

In this Together
We are absolutely all in this together and the Experience Oxfordshire team are on hand to help. Please do stay in touch and we will continue to work hard on your behalf to help Oxfordshire’s visitor economy through these unprecedented times.

 

Take care and stay safe.

The Experience Oxfordshire Team