Second round of coronavirus support for the self-employed
The self-employed can now apply for grants from the second stage of the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). Eligible applicants can receive a government grant worth 70% of their average monthly trading profits, up to £6,570. Applicants should receive their grant within six working days of making a claim.
Anyone whose self-employed business has been adversely affected by coronavirus since 14 July is eligible for the scheme. The eligibility criteria remains the same as for the first grant, with people needing to have had trading profits of no more than £50,000, making up at least half of their total income. The scheme will be open until October 2020.
We Create Market sets up shop in Southsea
Creative local businesses are being urged to sign up and take part in the newly launched We Create Market. The monthly market will be setting up shop in the former Debenhams building in Southsea next month, with events taking place until the end of the year.
The project is a collaboration between creative organisations in the city including Portsmouth Creates, Victorious Festival, Crafts in the Tower, Hotwalls Studios, Makers Guild, University of Portsmouth and Aspex Gallery to name but a few.
Portsmouth Creates is subsidising the price of all pitches and window display opportunities and is creating a website directory to ensure maximum affordability and visibility for local creative talent.
Test and Trace: guidelines for recording customer data
Businesses in hospitality and tourism as well as those providing close contact services, such as hairdressers and tattoo parlours, have a vital role to play in stopping the spread of coronavirus. Under government guidelines these businesses are required to keep a temporary record of all customers and visitors for 21 days so, if needed, they can assist NHS Test and Trace and help identify people who may have been exposed to the virus.
Businesses must collect:
- the name of the customer or visitor
- a contact phone number for each customer or visitor
- date of visit, arrival time and, where possible, departure time
- if a customer will interact with only one member of staff (e.g. a hairdresser), the name of that staff member should also be recorded
The information can be collected in a way that is manageable for the business. It should be recorded digitally if possible, but a paper record is acceptable too. After 21 days, this information should be securely disposed of or deleted.
Festival of Innovation goes online this October
Venturefest South has announced it will be running the #VFS20 Festival of Innovation as a virtual event on 2 October 2020.
The virtual event will offer delegates the chance to find out about a plethora of opportunities aimed at entrepreneurs and innovators in the south of the UK. This includes new programmes from the VFS partners, including BAE Systems and Dstl. The event will shine a light on the funding and support available to delegates, offer the opportunity for collaboration and joint working and enable them to develop new skills and capabilities.
Guest speakers include one of the UK’s top ten women entrepreneurs, Kate Bell from Zip Us In, who won #VFS19 Innovator of the Year.
Help shape Portsmouth’s future
Portsmouth is creating a 20-year road map for the city that will guide the many organisations, businesses, groups and individuals who have a role to play in city life. To do this, Imagine Portsmouth is asking all residents to have their say on what Portsmouth should focus on when it comes to culture, the economy, education, the environment, health and wellbeing, and transport. Have your say and share what you think Portsmouth’s priorities over the next 20 years should be:
