Focus on Bexley Supporting Bexley Businesses during Covid-19
Bexley has distributed £33m of grants to 2,670 small businesses with over £10m going to those in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, to help deal with the adverse impacts of Covid-19.
Almost 2,000 businesses have received relief from Business Rates amounting to £29.9m - and 34 nurseries £0.5m.
Bexley has also paid more than £1.7m under the government’s Discretionary Business Grants Scheme for small businesses.
“This is a really exciting moment for all those who have been pushing for improved public transport in this area and across the Thames Estuary for so long. We know that to get good growth you need to better connect people to jobs and services both locally and in the wider area. “ “This is a really exciting moment for all those who have been pushing for improved public transport in this area and across the Thames Estuary for so long. We know that to get good growth you need to better connect people to jobs and services both locally and in the wider area. This study is a big step forward in understanding how we do that in a deliverable way that makes sense in a post Covid 19 world.”
She went on to say: “There is a lot of uncertainty at the moment about the future of public transport and how people are likely to work and use cities. However, we are clear that there remains an imperative to bring forward new, high quality homes and jobs which can be accessed in safe, sustainable ways. This study will put the partnership in an excellent position to meet those challenges
within the Abbey Wood to Ebbsfleet corridor, for the benefit of local residents and businesses, as well as the regional and national economy.” The study is programmed to last approximately 15 months, ending in the Autumn of 2021
Recognising business successes
The 2020 Bexley Business Excellence Awards in association with Ocado – will take place virtually on Wednesday 18 November. It’s more important than ever that we recognise business successes and with over 120 entries across the 13 categories this year’s event will be a much needed celebration of local innovation and creativity.
“There is a lot of uncertainty at the moment about the future of public transport and how people are likely to work and use cities. However, we are clear that there remains an imperative to bring forward new, high quality homes and jobs which can be accessed in safe, sustainable ways.”
In line with changed national regulations we have made it easier, quicker and cheaper for many businesses to use the pavements outside their premises (if sufficiently wide) for extra tables and chairs, which helps with their viability and with social distancing requirements.
We have continued to provide twice-weekly email updates to over 5000 businesses in the borough – which includes many in high streets and in hospitality sectors. This email update also shares the latest information and guidance on government Covid19 secure requirements and sources of support. We are also maintaining an online hub for Covid19 business information and support. Council officers from Environmental Health and Licensing have continued to visit businesses to advise them on the social distancing requirements to ensure that they can remain open for business safely.
We have led on a ‘Shop Local, Shop Safe’ campaign alongside local businesses to encourage residents to use our town centres in a safe way. In certain locations, such as Welling town centre, where narrow pavements make social distancing difficult, the Council has introduced physical measures to increase the width of pavements. We are also introducing measures such as 20mph zones in Erith, to encourage more walking and cycling.
A poster campaign to remind people of social distancing, mask use and handwashing requirements throughout our main town centre has also been rolled out
We continue to work closely with the Business Information Districts in Bexleyheath and Sidcup to help them support their local business communities through this challenging period. Footfall figures for Bexleyheath indicate that visitor numbers have recovered quite well over the past couple of months, although they are not back to normal. The return of Bexleyheath’s continental market and the Sidcup market have helped to draw visitors back. Plans for Christmas trails and markets are in place to support businesses during this critical trading period.
October 2020
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