Emerging from lockdown into Tier 2

From December 2, the national lockdown will be replaced with tiered restrictions. Like the majority of England’s population (57.25%), the residents and businesses of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) will emerge into Tier 2. Only 1.27% of the country’s population will be living under the more relaxed Tier 1 restrictions.

The key headlines for businesses in Tier 2 are as follows:

Businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a COVID-Secure manner, other than those which remain closed by law, such as nightclubs.

Pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals.

Hospitality businesses selling food or drink for consumption on their premises are required to: provide table service only (in premises which sell alcohol); close between 11pm and 5am; and stop taking orders after 10pm.

Hospitality businesses and venues selling food and drink for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through.

Early closure (11pm) applies to casinos, cinemas, theatres, museums, bowling alleys, amusement arcades, funfairs, theme parks, adventure parks and activities, and bingo halls. Cinemas, theatres and concert halls can stay open beyond 11pm in order to conclude performances that start before 10pm.

Everyone who can work from home should do so.

The first review of tier allocations will take place by Wednesday 16 December.

BCP Council and the Apprenticeship Levy

Employers with a pay bill over £3 million each year must pay the apprenticeship levy. As a large levy-paying employer, we are able to work in partnership with other local employers to help improve the skills and knowledge of the local workforce by transferring a percentage of these funds to help pay for apprenticeship training.

Eligible employers will be based in the BCP area and either be:

• In our supply chain.
• Providing services on our behalf.
• Businesses and other organisations that support our growth agenda, or in the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector.

Transfer funds must be applied for through an application form. In the event of successful applications exceeding the available funds, a selection assessment exercise will be undertaken.

Virtual UK Trade and Export Finance Forum 2020

UK Export Finance (UKEF) is hosting its virtual UK Trade & Export Finance Forum on 7/8 December 2020.

The event, which will bring together more than 600 leaders in business and finance, will discuss UKEF’s increasingly important role in an independent trading nation.

Topics include:

• How exporters can build back from the impact of coronavirus by exporting.
• Maximising opportunities for growth using government-backed export finance.
• The emergence of transition and renewable energy projects overseas, with a focus on the opportunities and challenges this presents for exporters and the energy supply chain.
• Winning business overseas: project opportunities in Africa, Asia, Brazil, China, Latin America and the Middle East, amongst others.

Dorset LEP Business Directory – free listing

Dorset Gateway, Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)’s business growth hub, is refreshing its Business Directory and invites the region’s business community, of all sizes and in any sector, to register and feature on their free online platform.

In an effort to further support small businesses during this latest lockdown period, Dorset Gateway is also encouraging local retail, hospitality and tourism businesses that continue to operate to register as part of a regional #StillOpen campaign.

Further information

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