Coronavirus (COVID-19):
information for businesses

Some businesses are allowed to reopen from 12 April.

GOV.UK has a full list of businesses that can reopen and businesses that must stay closed.

You must follow the government guidance for working in a COVID-secure way when your business reopens.

Tell us about a business that is not following the guidance:

• call 0117 922 2500
• email health.safety@bristol.gov.uk

Support Grants

The existing schemes will continue to support businesses that have been impacted by lockdown and tier restrictions.

Businesses should apply once per premises.

Restart grant

Some businesses across Bristol financially impacted by COVID may be eligible for the Restart grant:

• non-essential retailers can apply for grants of £6,000 per premises to help reopen and trade safely
• hospitality, hotels, leisure, gyms, health and beauty businesses can apply for grants of £18,000 per premises, as they remain closed for longer under the four-step plan out of national lockdown restrictions

Local Restrictions Support grant schemes

Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) Addendum (January to March 2021), a grant of up to £18,214 is available for businesses that are registered for business rates and were required to close during the national lockdown from 5 January to 31 March 2021.

Discretionary schemes

Applications to the Discretionary grant are currently closed. We're working through the current applications and assessing these against the funding we have available.

We'll add further updates here, so please check this page regularly as we may be able to reopen the application window for a short period if any funds remain.

Other loans and grants you can apply for

• The Recovery Loan Scheme (GOV.UK) supports access to finance for UK businesses as they grow and recover from the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic
• COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility, help for large businesses through the purchase of their short-term debt (GOV.UK)
• National Lottery Community Fund, for organisations supporting people and communities affected by COVID-19

Use the business support finder on GOV.UK to see what support is available for your business.

Retail, leisure and hospitality business can ​​​apply for a business rates discount for the 2021 to 2022 tax year.

• Read guidance for working safely during coronavirus (GOV.UK) 
• Report a suspected coronavirus outbreak

Test and Trace in the workplace

Read government guidance for NHS Test and Trace in the workplace on GOV.UK.

You must display an NHS Test and Trace QR code in your workplace. Create a QR code on GOV.UK.

Specific sector guidance

Make sure your business reopens in a COVID-secure way by reading our guidance for:

• hospitality businesses
• outdoor events: restarting outdoor events and activities

GOV.UK has information about support for businesses, including:

• the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme ('furloughing' workers), which has been extended until 30 September 2021, read about the changes to the scheme 
• joining the VAT deferral new payment scheme, which is open until 21 June 2021, for businesses who deferred paying VAT from 20 March to 30 June 2020 and can’t afford to pay by 31 March 2021
• applying for more time to file your company's accounts with Companies House
• paying sick pay to employees (statutory sick pay relief package for SMEs)
• what to do if you can't pay your tax bill on time
• support for larger firms through the COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility

Use the GOV.UK coronavirus business support finder to find out what support your business is eligible for.

• Working safely during coronavirus (GOV.UK)
• NHS Test and Trace in the workplace (GOV.UK)

Guidance for

• adult care providers
• suppliers to the council on the delivery and performance on contracts
• hospitality businesses
• health professionals (GOV.UK)
• shops and branches (GOV.UK)

You may be able to get help through the government's Self Employment Income Support Scheme. The next round will open in late April 2021.

If you can’t work because you’ve had symptoms of COVID-19 or have self isolated, you can apply for:

• Universal Credit (GOV.UK)
• new style Employment and Support Allowance (GOV.UK)

If you’ve lost income because of COVID-19, you can apply for Universal Credit (GOV.UK).

GOV.UK has information about support with tax that's due.

Future Bright offers careers coaching, training and support to self employed workers whose ability to earn has been affected by COVID-19.

Find out about:

• ‘furloughing’ staff through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme on GOV.UK
• support with paying sick pay for staff who've been off work because of COVID-19, if you have fewer than 250 employees 
• the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme of £500 for eligible low paid workers whose earnings are affected by having to self isolate

Mental health support

• Thrive at Work has guidance for helping your employees stay mentally and physically well during coronavirus and beyond
• Business in the Community has a 'COVID-19: employee health and wellbeing' toolkit

Local

• Business West
• West of England Combined Authority
• Black South West Network
• Voscur
• Bristol Food Union

National

• The Federation of Small Businesses
• Enterprise Nation
• Creative England 
• National Council of Voluntary Organisations
• Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)
• Bectu: the union for creative ambition
• Musicians' Union
• UK Hospitality
• Night Time Industries Association
• The British Institute of Innkeeping
• Equity 

If you're looking for temporary or new staff, email ways2work@bristol.gov.uk with information about the vacancy and we'll help promote it on the Ways2Work website.

Offer a work placement to people aged 16 to 24 through the Kickstart scheme.