£5 billion fund to help High Streets recover from Covid-19

A £5 billion scheme for High Street shops and hospitality firms in England has been unveiled, with Rishi Sunak promising more support to come for the economy.
Ahead of tomorrow's Budget, the Chancellor said the grants (worth as much as £18,000 per firm) will help businesses reopen as England eases lockdown.

Nearly 700,000 shops, restaurants, hotels, hair salons, gyms and other businesses in England, will be eligible for these 'restart grants', to be distributed directly to firms by local authorities from April. These will replace the current monthly grant system.

Non-essential shops in England, along with outdoor hospitality, will be allowed to reopen from 12 April at the earliest.

Other announcements have included:

  • A new government-backed mortgage guarantee scheme for home buyers with small deposits
  • An “elite” visa to encourage high-skilled workers including researchers, engineers and scientists to come to the UK
  • £126 million for traineeships and a “flexi-job” apprenticeship in England
  • A green savings bond for retail investors to help boost the UK’s transition to net zero emissions

The BID will update you as further details are announced.
Luton Town Centre PSPO Extension Consultation

It is coming up to three years since the introduction of the Luton Town Centre Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which expires on the 5th July. 

We would encourage businesses to give their views on a proposed three year extension of the PSPO. For details and to complete the survey click HERE.
Luton BID Community Impact Statement – Anti-Social Behaviour

Luton BID are developing a Community Impact Statement to assist with prosecuting cases of anti-social behaviour.

A Community Impact Statement is a short document illustrating the concerns and priorities of a specific community over a set time period. The idea is that this can be included in all court applications for ASB enforcement action to show the impact begging, alcohol related crime etc have on members of the public, businesses and their staff.

We would like to hear from businesses in the BID area about the impact Anti-Social Behaviour has on your business, staff and customers. Please email info@lutonbid.org with your comments and observations to include in the statement.
Hospitality Fast Track Pavement Licences in Luton

The fast track pavement licence, introduced by Government last year, is still in place for the hospitality sector.

It allows businesses to place removable furniture on the public highway outside their premises, for the sale, or service and consumption, of food and drink.

The licence will be applicable until September 2021 - available to pubs, restaurants, bars, snack bars, coffee shops and ice cream parlours. Full further details click HERE.
ABC Cinema Development Webinar

Luton BID took part in the recent webinar with the developers of the former ABC Cinema.

Although very much still in the early stages of the process this is likely to be a mixed use scheme funded by residential property but including a community/creative space - to be managed by Luton Borough Council. We will update as we find out more.
Simple guide to business grants

View our guide to businesses grants which includes, where available, links to further details and application forms.

Please click on the box below and scroll down to the Business Support & Advice section.
Business Support Guide

Read our latest Business Support Guide and click on the link below.

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Luton BID is project managed by Partnerships for Better Business Ltd


Luton BID 01582 510657  info@lutonbid.org
www.lutonbid.org

Luton BID is project managed by Partnerships for Better Business Ltd (pfbb UK)