We want to know your feedback in response to this crisis period, understand your current business status and reopening plans. We have compiled a member survey for you to complete – please access here.
We continue to share the latest intelligence, news and data from the Government and industry bodies from relevant sources, both on this page and through our corporate channels. Please also follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn for additional links and information.
For the most up-to-date and reliable information, please follow the links below for the latest Government updates and advice:
Transport for London is advising the public not to travel unless essential. For live updates, please visit the TfL Website.
The Government has opened a new HMRC Business Support Helpline: 0800 024 1222
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.
With more stringent measures now in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, we remain focused on ensuring public safety and an economically resilient West End.
You can sign up for the bulletins here.
We will continue to monitor the spread of the virus and its implications on our members, so we’re equipped with the latest intelligence to feed into public bodies.
We’ve had a number of queries come through from members with regards to operations, lobbying and general communications. We will continue to update this section on a regular basis.
Both our City Inspectors and security team continue to patrol the area and we are also working closely with the Met Police. This will enable the team to ensure the continued safety and security of employees where businesses are operating with a skeleton staff and to monitor buildings that have been temporarily closed. If you have any particular security concerns, please contact Rico Pieri, Area Manager rico.pieri@heartoflondonbid.co.uk
As police have now been given powers to enforce the lockdown to slow the spread of COVID-19, staff travelling to or from work may be stopped and questioned during their journey.
If your staff cannot work from home and are still required to travel to your business, they may do so as per Government direction. We have drafted a letter template which can be used as justification for this travel. Please complete this template following the directions below and share with your staff, which can be produced to police on request.
The template must be:
Filled in and signed by a responsible person at your company
Printed on a company letterhead to be carried by the member of staff
There is no action for you. However, local authorities may have to reissue your bill to provide this support. They will do this as soon as possible. Updated guidance for businesses can be found by clicking here and for local authorities by clicking here.
Individual grants of £10,000 will be made available through local authorities to businesses eligible for Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) that already pay little or no business rates. You do not need to do anything. Your local authority will write to you if you are eligible for this grant. Any enquiries should be directed to the City of Westminster.
All employers, regardless of size or sector, will be able to apply for grants to cover 80% of furloughed employees salaries, up to a limit of £2,500 per individual, per month. The scheme will be sustained for at least three months with option to extend. There is no limit on funding for the scheme. An online service will be available to make the claim. This service is not yet available but will likely be available by the end of April 2020. We will send out further information when an update is available.
Most commercial insurance policies are unlikely to cover pandemics or unspecified notifiable diseases, such as COVID-19. However, the Government has confirmed that the business impact of government advice restricting individuals’ movements – and the knock-on impact on their financial activity – provides sufficient grounds for businesses to claim on their insurance where they have appropriate business interruption cover in place. Please check with your provider to check the terms and conditions of their policy.
Advocacy and lobbying – corporateaffairs@heartoflondonbid.co.uk
Operations – operations@heartoflondonbid.co.uk
If you would like to sign up to our mailing list, please contact matt.harris@heartoflondonbid.co.uk.
Please also follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn for further updates.
Our Area Performance report explores the changes in trends that impact on the performance of our area, allowing your business to plan with confidence and make the most of being in the heart of London.
During these uncertain and worrying times we want our members to know that we are here for you and are determined to provide the most up to date information and support via our website, social media channels, weekly COVID-19 conference calls and direct communication with our team members.
I am proud of the fact that we have already made headway on our campaigning and lobbying towards government in support of business rates as well as other key asks. We are engaging daily and partnering with wider West End and National bodies to ensure we bring our suggestions and solutions forward in how we can manage and come out of this stronger together.
On behalf of all of us here we wish you all the best and hope that you, your family and friends stay safe.
