Rochdale BID want to keep you updated with the latest news, information and advice during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Please check our website daily for more updates for businesses and website individuals.
Business support
We understand there have been a lot of announcements having been made in a short period of time, and many firms, large and small, have been focused on securing the immediate future, for both themselves and their employees. There is support available, navigating it might need a little help and this is where we’ll step in.
It is our day to day job to provide a platform and a voice for business. We work with businesses across sectors, including professional services, creative and digital, retail, leisure and hospitality, so we have a broad spectrum of experience for you to draw on.
So please do not hesitate to get in touch if you feel we can help.
Social Distancing
You should maintain a 2 metre distance between yourself and others, and only buy what you need. This is to avoid crowding and to create adequate spacing between other shoppers and staff.
Shops and supermarkets may take their own action to avoid crowding. This can include monitoring the number of customers within the store and limiting access to avoid congestion. They may also implement queue management systems to limit crowds gathering at entrances and to maintain the 2 metre distance.
Further information on social distancing can be found at:
Business Cash Grant – don’t forget !
Don’t forget that the registration form for the cash grants for businesses is now open.
The government announced cash grants for businesses to support them through the coronavirus pandemic.
- £10,000 grants for the smallest businesses eligible for Small Business Rates Relief
- £25,000 grants for the small retail, hospitality and leisure sector businesses (with a rateable value less than £51,000)
It is vital that businesses submit the grant form to Rochdale Council so that they can release the grants to help support businesses during these challenging times.
The information required on the form is to help ensure the grants go to eligible businesses to prevent fraud. Your Business Rates Account Number, Company Number and VAT registration number are required, so ensure you have them ready to hand.
The grant claim form can be downloaded here:
COVID-19 fraud risks
Please be aware of the risk of fraud. Current risks are:
• Mandate fraud
• Courier fraud
• Online shopping fraud
• Auction fraud
• Insider fraud
• Copycat fundraising pages (eg. using images/content from successful campaigns)
• Data breaches associated with home working practices/security
• Phishing emails (18.5% of all emails to CoLP phishing inbox are COVID-related)
• Counterfeit cheques and mule bank accounts
• Unsecure video conferencing websites
The Solicitors Regulation Authority have published an updated note on conducting anti-money laundering due diligence during the COVID-19 crisis and the useful checks that firms should be doing when we are not seeing clients face-to-face. Available here.
Useful Links
UK Government – Coronavirus: latest information and advice
UK Government - COVID-19: guidance for employers and businesses
UK Government – Coronavirus business support
National Health Service - Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Acas – Coronavirus advice for employers and employees
World Health Organization – Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19
If you have any queries regarding the support which his currently being offered, please don’t hesitate to contact me on 07811 278517.
Paul Ambrose
BID Manager
17 Apr 2020