In this issue
Local Business Heroes
Emergency response clinics
Supporting your business through Covid-19
Surrey Chambers Survey
Could you help?
Backing business grant
Further information and support
What's on
Don't miss out on these great online networking events
Book your space now #togetherapart

Monday 6 April: Enterprise Nation Making sales during the COVID-19 crisis
Sales expert, Paul Durrant, joins Emma to help you understand what businesses should be doing during these times of uncertainty to ensure they can continue to make sales. Sign up here.

 

Tuesday 7 April: Enterprise Nation How to do PR in times of uncertainty 
On Tuesday's 'lunch and learn' Emma is joined by PR expert, Amanda Fitzgerald. Get your questions answered on how to shape your PR strategy in these times of uncertainty, and how to get media attention in the current climate. Sign up here.

 

Wednesday 8 April: Enterprise Nation Cause marketing - how your small business can make a big difference 
Danny Witter, co-founder of Work for Good, will explain how a little charity can be very good for your business as well as for the good causes you support, both in this moment of turmoil and as an ongoing part of your strategy. Sign up here.

 

Thursday 9 April: Remote learning technology tips with Microsoft
Microsoft has created resources, training materials and 'how to' guides to help us all make this transition to remote learning with our children. Nicola will be on hand to answer any of your education questions during this session, including tips on establishing enjoyable remote learning, what resources are available from Microsoft and where to find them or even how to help your school set up a virtual classroom easily. Sign up here.

 

 

Join your local Business Guild

 

Business Guilds are a great way to be part of your local business community. 

 

Banstead - fully committed to helping Banstead become the most vibrant village in Surrey in which to live and work. They are a group of local businesses that recognise our responsibility to the greater community.


Redhill - enhancing Redhill as a place to live, work and do business.


Reigate - a local united voluntary voice from the business community, promoting commerce, events, activities and opportunities for the benefit of Reigate.

 

Horley Association of Traders - HATs is an open group that all traders and members of the public can join.  They continue to drive awareness of Horley as a town and to promote local business growth.
Funding/Consultations
Funding and awards

Reigate & Banstead Business Support Grant Do you have a business based in the borough with less than four employees? Are you looking to grow?  Why not apply for our Business Support Grant of up to £1,000? 

 

Successful business grant applicants will also receive one year's membership to Enterprise Nation. 

 

Do you need start-up funding for your business?  Struggling to get funding from a mainstream provider? Have a look at responsible finance provider Fredericks Foundation, who may be able to help.
Tools
It's quicker to report things, make payments and apply for services online.
Supporting your business through Covid-19
 

Supporting our business community has never been more important.  We want to signpost businesses to correct, relevant and timely information to ensure that your business can get the right support.  The government has set out a package of measures to support businesses. You can read about the package of measures on its Coronavirus business support website. With things changing so quickly these details are correct as at 6 April.
 

Update on cash grants

The first payment run for business grants by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council went out on 1 April, by the 6 April we had paid £10.7 million to 773 businesses (almost 50% of businesses eligible for funding). We expect the process to be complete by mid April.  Please be patient. If you have not already please fill in the online form this will facilitate the process and ensure we have the correct details.  

 

Self-employed reminder - don't miss tax return chance

The Government's coronavirus support for self-employed people will be based upon your 2018-19 tax returns.  If you missed the January 2020 deadline, you can now take advantage of an extension to submit your returns by 23 April 2020. How to submit your tax return for 2018-2019

 

Business Interruption Loan Scheme update

Read more about the Chancellor's improvements to the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan scheme which will help firms get access to cash more quickly.

 

The government also announced a new loan scheme for mid-sized companies.  Read more about these revisions
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Events
Local Business Heroes
 

In this challenging time we would like to highlight some of the innovative local business stories going the extra mile to support the local community #ReigateBansteadBusinessChampions

 

Reigate

 

Pilgrim Brewery - Are offering a drive-through beer service, just provide a clean container to be filled with beer @pilgrimbrewery

Crumbs Brewing - Buy a beer for a local hero beer campaign and free local beer delivery @crumbsbrewing

Inside out Heath - Now have an online shop with free local delivery @insideouthealthreigate

Churchill Dry Cleaners - Providing free dry cleaning to NHS staff @churchill_drycleaners

Chalk Hills Bakery - Now providing online ordering for local deliveries and market stall outside Reigate shop @chalkhillsbaker

Two Many Cooks - Delivery of pantry boxes and frozen meals @twomanycooks

The Gallery - Is providing a delivery service as well as a #payitforward service for food to the NHS and vulnerable @galleryreigate

Skimmington Castle -Offering a 'drive-through menu' pre-order and collect at allocated time.

 

Redhill

Dexter burger - Providing delivery of local grocery boxes as well as meals for people in need on a Wednesday.@pendletondexter

The Garibaldi - has opened as a community off licence @GariRedhill

 

Banstead

Cafe Chai - Provided the public with the chance to nominate local heroes to win £25 vouchers @cafe.chai

Ora Hair Salon - Delivered a box of Oway hand creams to NHS staff at Epsom and St Helier Hospitals @orahair_uk

 

Walton on the hill

The Spaghetti Tree is offering delivery including wine and cocktails @spagettitreewalton

 

Tell us about #ReigateBansteadBusinessChampions we may have missed..
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Emergency response clinics
 

Coast to Capital LEP has brought together their team of Growth Champions to help you to develop business resilience and answer any questions you may have.

 

They will running FREE one hour bookable sessions for 1-2-1 conversations with one of their selected group of business experts. The sessions will be running online from 8.00am to 8.00pm and there will be up to 10 available appointments each day. Each day will have a theme and will address topics of most relevance to the challenges being faced by businesses in our area.

 

The sessions will be confidential and can be offered as either video or audio calls to suit you. If you require support in another area please complete this online form and one of their team will respond.

 

SME Emergency Response Clinics:

Book here
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Other news
Surrey Chambers Survey
 

The Surrey Chambers of Commerce (in partnership with Sussex Chamber, Hampshire Chamber, Surrey County Council, Enterprise M3 and Coast to Capital) have put together a survey to understand how the recently announced government funding is impacting and supporting businesses. The findings will help Surrey Chambers to inform the government of the effectiveness of their strategies, highlight areas where more support is needed and to help shape the support and help that the Chambers and LEPs can provide businesses in the future. They would value your input into the survey.
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Could you help?

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council PPE

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council are struggling to maintain a good steady supply of PPE for key workers.  From collecting refuse to supporting vulnerable residents, our staff and residents safety is our primary concern.  We are looking for:

 

• Hand sanitiser gel (greater than 60% alcohol)

• Disposable gloves (single use) EN:374/5 (Viral protection)/nitrile purple/ nitrile blue

• Hand soap

• Surface Cleanser Spray

• Universal Cleaner

• Cleaning cloths

• Disinfectant

• Blue Wiper Roll

• Industrial Cleaning Wipes (excess of 60% alcohol or a disinfectant)

• Jumbo Toilet Roll

•Paper Hand Towel

 

If you or any of your suppliers are able to help with any of the equipment above we would love to hear from you please e-mail us.

 

Citizens Advice

The Citizens Advice service is busier than ever, they have had to leave their office and set up from home, something they are not set up to do.  They are trying to source 10-15 smart phones that could be used by advisors (ideally with a cheap data package and unlimited calls).  Is this something companies would be able to support?  Either by funding their purchase or buying them more cheaply through your procurement or recycling any old phones that you have?  Please e-mail Nina if you can help.

 
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Backing business grant
 

Following a very high demand for the Coast to Capital Backing Business Grants, the programme is currently paused for applications.  They received interest from 450 businesses in just a few days.  Businesses can still submit an eligibility checker but will join a waiting list queue.  Please note however that there is no guarantee funds will be available once the existing applications have been processed.  The criteria, eligibility checker and FAQs can be seen by following this link
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Further information and support

Surrey Chambers of Commerce - Information Hub

Coast to Capital - information and support

FSB - information and support

The Institute of Directors Corona Virus Support Hub

Creative Entrepreneurs has a useful Covid-19 resource page

Enterprise Nation  are updating their page every hour for SMEs.

The Institute for Chartered Accountants  coronavirus section

 

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council has a section dedicated to coronavirus information. It includes a section for businesses and information for residents.

 
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