Business News: Supporting you in the coronavirus crisis

We are circulating a more frequent newsletter to keep businesses up to date with the latest developments during this difficult time,

Please remember to keep checking our website for updates as we have an area specifically for keeping our businesses community updated during the coronavirus pandemic, we will offer advice and information as we receive it.

Make sure you stay up to date with the latest news – sign up for the Eastleigh Business Newsletter.

Just under £10 million paid out to businesses in emergency support

Almost £10 million has been paid out in emergency support to 731 Eastleigh Borough businesses impacted by the coronavirus crisis.

We are currently processing a steady stream of applications; payments totalling £9,745,000 have already been paid to 731 businesses in the Borough and more are under consideration.

Businesses that are eligible could receive a £10k or £25k grant depending on the size of the company. If a company is in receipt of Small Business Rate Relief or run a business in retail, hospitality or the leisure sector and have a Rateable Value of £51,000 or less, they can complete the form to be assessed for eligibility for any grants or reliefs.

You can continue to apply for business grants if you haven’t yet done so we will continue to process these over the coming weeks.

The application form can be downloaded here.

Pay it Forward fund

The Solent LEP Pay it Forward fund provides support for existing micro and small businesses seeking to cope during challenging trading conditions as a result of the coronavirus pandemic

The Solent LEP is offering the fund to projects that can demonstrate how they will help a business cope with current challenging trading conditions. With a maximum pledge of up to £2,000 per micro business (fewer than 10 staff) and up to £5,000 per small business (fewer than 50 staff) available, they will contribute up to 50% towards the total target. 

For more information please contact the Solent Growth Hub team or call 02392 688055.

Platform 4 Business

Platform 4 Business is a free online service provided by the Borough Council’s Eastleigh Business Centre, based at Wessex House. 

The service is available to help companies with advice and information, which Borough businesses may find particularly useful during this current period of uncertainty.

Useful links for businesses

Businesses can now access government support here
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-business-support-to-launch-from-today

Guidance for employers and businesses about COVID-19
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

Best of Business Support webinar on 1st May   
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/online-business-summit-webinar-dorset-growth-hub-wsx-tickets-103211582622

Grateful business owners 

Over the last few weeks we have received more positive feedback from the businesses we've been able to help across the Borough, here are a couple more appreciative companies;

"Please can I say a very big thank you to all at the Borough Council for being very quick and efficient getting the grant money out and with the small businesses i cannot tell you the difference it has made relieving this stressful situation .
Thank you all so much."

" Thank You soooo much you are a life-saver. Take care and keep safe."

Councillor Derek Pretty, Cabinet Member for Economy, said: “During these uncertain times we are glad that we’ve been able to provide businesses in the Borough with the security of a grant. We will continue to support local business owners throughout this pandemic.”

Businesses working together during a crisis

Businesses and organisations across the Borough are coming together to help tackle the coronavirus pandemic. Many have responded to pleas for equipment and materials to help our key workers to stay safe during these turbulent times as well as offering other services to help vulnerable people in the area.

Crestwood School in Eastleigh has turned its DT department into a workshop to build visors for the NHS and NHS community.

They have the machinery and the people power but need the below materials:

0.5mm Polypropylene sheet 
A4 clear acetate sheet 200 micron

If you have any of the above please email the Council's Economy Team. 

Meanwhile, Global Ceramic Tiling Ltd have volunteered their vans and drivers to help with delivering food donations for the Eastleigh Basics Bank collecting food from Asda, Waitrose and Sainsbury's.

PPE Equipment

Health care workers on the frontline are still in desperate need of PPE equipment, especially gowns.
If your company has spare PPE or any materials that can be donated to help make more please get in touch.

For more details about what is needed click here.

Can your business help a food bank in the Borough?

There has been high demand for the services of food banks across the Borough, during the coronavirus lockdown, and they are now urgently in need of donations:

If you or your business can help, please visit the Facebook pages or websites of the organisations below to find out more:

Eastleigh Basics Bank, Unit 6G, Wells Place, Eastleigh SO50 5PP
email: office@eastleighbasicsbank.co.uk
facebook/eastleighbasicsbank

Hedge End Food Centre, Kings Community Church, Upper Northam Road, Hedge End, SO30 4BZ
email: foodcentre@kccsouthampton.org 
facebook/hedgeendfoodcentre

Hound (Netley) Food Bank, back of Netley Central Sports & Social Club, 24 Station Road, Netley
email: hound.basics@netleycf.org.uk  
facebook/houndbasics   

Stay updated

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