It has been great to see our special and unique towns, villages and shopping parades coming back to life with the opening of many much loved non-essential retailers. With many pubs and restaurants opening on the 4 July the Council is encouraging residents to support local retailers and ‘Shop Safe, Shop Local’  social distancing signs and markings placed in Banstead, Redhill, Reigate and Horley will help shoppers navigate the ‘new normal’ of the high street.

The aim of the Council’s initiative is to remind and alert shoppers how to go about their journey in the safest way possible. Brightly coloured graphics – placed at both eye-level and on the floor – will highlight areas where social distancing may not be possible, such as blind corners and narrow alleyways. Some of the Council car parks which have lifts will have eye-level notices to make shoppers aware that only one household can be in a lift at any one time.

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Supporting our business community has never been more important.  The Government has set out a package of measures on their Coronavirus business support website.

At 28 June Reigate & Banstead Borough Council have paid £21,845,000 to 1,652 local businesses in Covid-19 grant payments for

• Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) scheme
• Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Grants Fund (RHLGF)

There been around 200 applications to the (now closed) Local Authority Discretionary Grant Scheme, which are currently being evaluated, those who have been successful should receive their payments the week commencing Monday 6 July.

A second round of the HMRC Self Employment Income Support Scheme will be launched in July.  The first round, which remains open until 17 July  has seen 5,600 people receive SEISS in Reigate & Banstead which is 71% of the eligible self-employed population.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) support is available to employers and the self-employed. You may be eligible for loans, tax relief and cash grants. Use this business support finder to see what support is available for you and your business.

Google have a range of support available for business and a number of free online courses. 

We are delighted to be partnering with them to put on a webinar on Wednesday 29 July at 11am - Get your business visible on Google.  Email now to get onto the waiting list and be notified when the event is live.

Redhill based product design consultancy James Barr Design Ltd has recently been awarded grant funding from InnovateUK to develop a novel Covid-19 lung rehabilitation aid.

InnovateUK is a government organisation which awards financial support to small to medium sized enterprises involved in the development of disruptive and innovative technologies. Their national competition, focusing on the coronavirus pandemic launched in April and attracted over 8,500 entries. A panel reviewed entries based on their potential to deliver significant healthcare and economic benefits.

The funded project, which is called ‘inexo’, aids the recovery of patients affected by the virus and helps those at risk (in care homes or with underlying respiratory issues) to be better prepared for possible infection. The patent pending device will be available for pre-order this July through the Inexo website.

Company owner Barr writes:

“At the start of the pandemic I was already thinking of products that could be developed to help people directly affected by the virus. When I saw the InnovateUK competition I recognised an opportunity which will hopefully make a big difference to peoples’ now and in the future”.

Amazon Small Business Accelerator by Enterprise Nation is a free, online educational programme for anyone who wants to start a new online business or grow an existing one.

The online learning is tailored to your experience level, with a comprehensive curriculum covering website building, selling online, social media, marketing, managing cashflow, selling on Amazon, and identifying growth opportunities.

Not only is the training free, but by taking part you can access events and offers from partners, and join an intensive bootcamp experience.

Find out more

Horley-based Carlton Clinic specialising in osteopathy has relocated to a larger purpose-built premises just 100 metres from its previous location.

It will offer a range of treatments including osteopathy, sports massage, physiotherapy, hypnotherapy, reflexology and acupuncture.

Maureen Robinson, who acquired the clinic with daughter Justine in 2016, said: "The increase in demand from clients meant that our former location was no longer big enough. 

"The new space is perfect for our business as we can expand our client base, as well as the range of treatments we are able to offer."

Citizen’s Advice Reigate and Banstead have managed to maintain the level of support they deliver to residents during the lockdown. However, working remotely brings different challenges and currently, there are 50 volunteers who are working from home who need more equipment in order to provide good quality, remote advice appointments.

They are really grateful for Fidelity UK who have supported this request in the past, however they urgently require more equipment, please could you get in touch with our local Citizen’s Advice  on  01737 931060 if you have any spare phones, laptops and tablets that could be donated.

Its been a tough trading year for food businesses, why not consider nominating your favourite local in the Surrey Life 2020 Food and Drink Awards