Latest council updates:
For all the latest York coronavirus updates please visit https://www.york.gov.uk/Coronavirus
- Business grants
We have started making payments, with several million pounds worth of grants processed today. This is an entirely new process and we have a duty to quality assure every payment and protect York businesses grants from potential fraud. We have had 2,000 applications so far and need to run each one through the government’s anti-fraud software before we can process payments; this is to verify bank account details of organisations which have never had a financial relationship with us before. We’ve started contacting businesses as part of that process and appreciate your patience with us whilst we carry this out. Please remember we will only ask you to verify your details and would never ask you to make payments.
Unfortunately, we cannot tell individual businesses the exact date they will receive their grants, so we appreciate your patience. The payments will gather pace and we will be working through the bank holiday to process them as quickly as we can. Payments will inevitably take longer to companies which have never had a financial relationship with the Council, or in the more complex cases, where liability for business rates may have changed since March 11.
For anyone yet to apply, please do so quickly and make sure you provide the precise and full name of your company on the form, as this will speed things up.
https://www.york.gov.uk/COVIDBusinessGrant
- City of York Council £1m micro grants scheme
We’ve launched a £1m fund to help York’s small, micro and one person businesses who are set to miss out on government support. The scheme will deliver grants of up to £1000 to 1000 self-employed, micro and small businesses who need it most. In addition, the council has created a new fund to give up to 1000 businesses free membership of the Federation of Small Businesses. This will give each business access to a range of services, covering everything from legal and advice to cyber protection and insurance.
· Find out more at: https://www.york.gov.uk/news/article/128/council-coronavirus-business-support-fund-details-revealed
- Banks loans
We are aware of the difficulties faced by some local businesses in accessing the Government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme. We’re working with our partners, the Federation of Small Businesses and both the region’s Local Enterprise Partnerships to highlight these issues with central government and the banks. The Chancellor has made some changes, which we hope makes a difference, but please report your issues and experiences to business@makeityork.com
For a full guide to the financial support available to businesses to help with the current situation, see: https://www.makeityork.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Funding-Business-York.pdf
- Tell us what you need
We’ve worked with Make it York, York BID and the LEPs to successfully make the case for small employer support, and for changes to the government-backed loans with the British Business Bank. Now tell us what other support your business needs.
· Fill in this short survey from Make it York – whether you are a member or not: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MIY-BusinessSupport-Covid19
- Help for essential businesses to adapt
There is support for businesses which are allowed to open, including access to free advertising, supported by the council, in the Press, York Mix and on Minster FM. We’re also helping businesses which are adapting their business models, including providing the latest essential food safety guidance.
Lots of advice, guidance and inspiring stories from the region’s two Local Enterprise Partnership’s through their growth hubs.
- HMRC Webinars to support employers, employees and self-employed
HMRC are delivering a programme of webinars on measures to support employers, employees and the self-employed through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19.
· You can watch a video of the first recorded webinar and register for future webinars using the link below: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-and-support-if-your-business-is-affected-by-coronavirus-covid-19
Don’t forget to stay home to protect the NHS and save lives. Thank you