The latest funding & support for community businesses: a message from Chris Cowcher, Head of Community Business

NEW From PLUNKETT:A list of funding and support available for UK-wide businesses in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hopkins Plunkett Communities Scheme

From PLUNKETT: Award winning East Anglian housebuilder Hopkins Homes has teamed up with Plunkett to support community businesses across the region as they recover from the coronavirus pandemic with advice and guidance on a range of issues.

More Than A Pub support scheme

From PLUNKETT: Small grants – To help trading community pubs in England to adjust their activities, to provide redesigned services and community support in response to the Covid-19 restrictions, small grants of up to £2,000 have been made available.

The latest funding & support for community businesses: a message from Chris Cowcher, Head of Community Business

NEW From PLUNKETT:A list of funding and support available for UK-wide businesses in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pubs operational advice and risk assessment

From the BII, BBPA and UK Hospitality:The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) and
UK Hospitality have developed guidelines to assist pubs in risk assessing their businesses.

Coronavirus and mutual societies annual return submissions

From the Financial Conduct Athority: Here you can find all the forms you need to submit applications under the mutuals legislation. The FCA is continuing to review its processes in light of the current coronavirus outbreak.

Defra Food Charities Grant Fund

From the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs:If you run a front-line food aid charity in England, you can apply for a grant of up to £100,000 to help you continue to provide food to the vulnerable.

National Lottery Awards for All England

From the National Lottery Community Fund: This programme now focuses on funding projects and organisations helping communities through the Covid-19 pandemic. The programme is looking to award funding of £300 – £10,000 to cover six months of expenditure.

WRAP Emergency Surplus Food Grant

From WRAP: The aim of this grant is to provide vital financial support to small not-for-profit (NFP) organisations who can redistribute surplus food from the likes of retailers, wholesalers, and food manufacturers, to people in need or those considered vulnerable.

The Princes Countryside Fund

From The Prince’s Countryside Fund: £100,000 of emergency funding for farming and rural community support groups has been announced.

NEW Check if your business is eligible for the coronavirus Closed Businesses Lockdown Payment

Gov.uk tool: The Closed Businesses Lockdown Payment (CBLP) supports businesses that have been required to close due to the national restrictions beginning 5 January 2021.

Government announces new national restrictions across England

Update from Government: New guidance for businesses and venues following the announcement of national restrictions coming into force in England on 5 November 2020.

Government announces three tier system to determine local Covid alert levels

Update from Government: Announcement of a three tier system determined by level of Covid risk in an area. Each tier indicates a set of rules and regulations.

Coronavirus Job Support Scheme 

Update from HM Treasury: New scheme starting on 1 November. The Government will pay a third of hours not worked up to a cap, with the employer also contributing a third. This will ensure employees earn a minimum of 77% of their normal wages, where the Government contribution has not been capped. In tier 3 areas where businesses are legally required to shut, the government will support eligible businesses through the Extended Job Support Scheme by paying two thirds of each employees’ salary (or 67%), up to a maximum of £2,100 a month.

Update on Coronavirus furlough scheme 

Update from HM Treasury: Under the UK’s Job Retention Scheme Employers emploers can start to bring furloughed workers back part-time from July. The furlough scheme will remain available and will continue to pay 80% of salary on any hours that the employee cannot work.

Welsh Government Updates

From the Welsh Government: The latest updates and advice for Wales.

Wales Co-operative Centre Covid-19 updates

Wales Co-operative Centre: This page contains updated resources for co-operatives in Wales.

Business Wales guide

From Business Wales: A guide to the measures available to support businesses and workers across Wales.

Irish Times: Pop up shops

From The Irish Times: The experience of a restaurant which has opened a pop up shop to help residents during the pandemic.

Chief Executive Update

Update: As we enter a new year and another national lockdown, Plunkett’s Chief Executive, James Alcock, offers a message of support and reassurance to community businesses across the UK.

More Than A Pub

From The Abingdon Arms, Oxfordshire: Plunkett is sharing advice and experience from community pubs. If you have an experience to share get in touch by emailing communications@plunkett.co.uk

More Than A Pub

From The Lamarsh Lion, Essex/Suffolk boarder: Plunkett is sharing advice and experience from community pubs. If you have an experience to share get in touch by emailing communications@plunkett.co.uk

More Than A Pub

From The Craufurd Arms, Maidenhead: Plunkett is sharing advice and experience from community pubs. If you have an experience to share get in touch by emailing communications@plunkett.co.uk