Chamber News

Leaders and businesses owners from across the tourism industry met online yesterday to talk about the role of digital technology in attracting visitors to our region.

The Tourism + Tech Virtual Conference was originally planned as a face-to-face event but the coronavirus saw a move to an online webinar, hosted by Tim Robinson from Tech East.

Over 150 representatives from across the region joined together to hear about online success stories during the lockdown and how digital platforms can help the industry recover.

The speakers included the executive director of Visit East of England, Pete Waters and Cllr Graham Plant, deputy leader of Norfolk County Council. Opening the conference Cllr Graham Plant said:

“The coronavirus has had a huge impact for many over the last few months and we express our deepest sympathy to all those who have been affected.  The tourism sector has been particularly hard hit and supporting it to recover is a key priority for the Council.”

“As the use of digital technology to do business grows, there has never been a more pressing need to inspire businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk to embrace it to innovate, cooperate, work more efficiently and be more creative.  It is my belief that digital technology can drive positive change and help your tourism business to not only recover but to be stronger and more resilient in the future.”

The online event was put on by Tech East and Norfolk County Council, in partnership with the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Norfolk Chambers of Commerce.

The conference covered a range of topics including digital marketing, adapting to the lockdown, adopting online booking and payment methods, the support available to businesses and the wider plans for tourism in the region.

One of the key talking points was the need to attract visitors during traditionally quiet periods, with a recent survey finding that 57% of people are planning to take a break this autumn.

The issue of off-peak season tourism will be addressed by the EXPERIENCE project, which is led by Norfolk County Council and co funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The project involves 6 regions in England and France, with the aim of boosting the number of visitors between October and March by creating ‘experiences’ that are unique to each area.

The panel also discussed the ways businesses can help young people into the workforce and the importance of providing accessible accommodation in Norfolk.

Following the success of the conference the organisers hope to put on future events that will cover the more popular subjects in more detail.

Her Majesty The Queen has offered support to businesses as they reopen, and praised the contribution Chambers of Commerce across the UK and around the world are making to help firms, champion trade and rebuild communities, in a letter released today.

Norfolk Chambers are one of fifty three Chambers of Commerce across the UK, accredited to the British Chambers of Commerce.  The letter from Her Majesty, Patron of the British Chambers of Commerce, comes as businesses across the UK are reopening and adjusting to a new normal. 

The letter reads:

“At a time of great difficulty for many, it is heart-warming to see the civic response and generosity of so many businesses, small and large, to the challenges posed, whether supporting the health sector or vulnerable communities.”

Her Majesty also recognised the contribution Chambers of Commerce and their members have made during the pandemic:

“As Patron of the British Chambers of Commerce, it gives me great pride to see the contribution you and your members are making to help firms, champion trade and rebuild communities.”

Welcoming the letter, BCC President Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith said:

“The Queen’s personal message of support will be a huge morale boost to our business communities at this complex and sensitive time.

“We are grateful that Her Majesty has recognised the crucial role Chambers of Commerce play supporting businesses and communities through the pandemic, and as we restart, rebuild and renew the economy.” 

People can have their say on temporary changes to some Norwich streets, to support safe shopping and travel around the city.

Norfolk County Council and Norwich City Council have proposed a series of measures to ensure social distancing when walking, with any surplus space then available for street café activity to help businesses recover.

The councils have already deployed stencilled and temporary signs to encourage people to walk on the left hand side of the street. Crossing times have also been lengthened for pedestrians at traffic signal-controlled crossings around the inner ring road, to reduce the number of people having to wait on pedestrian islands in the middle. Businesses are also being advised not to put “A boards” on pavements.

Other proposals involve:

• Temporary changes to Exchange Street and St Benedicts Street, which includes restricted access for general traffic and loading activity happening outside core business hours to create more space for walking, queuing and the potential for pavement cafes. It is also proposed that redundant signs, railings and other street furniture are removed, to declutter the streets.
• Consideration is also being given to further measures that could be applied in other areas, such as Magdalen Street, St Giles Street, Upper St Giles, Surrey Street and All Saints Green and the public will be consulted on proposals.

The two councils want to hear people’s views before deciding whether to implement the changes. The proposals can be viewed on the consultation page of the county council’s website at www.norfolk.gov.uk

Comments and questions can be emailed to cityhighways@norfolk.gov.uk by Tuesday 23 June, saying which street plan you are commenting on in the subject line.

Based on feedback received from the public, all plans will be reviewed before being implemented under emergency traffic regulation powers. Any measures taken will be temporary in nature and continually monitored.

Norwich City Council have released their latest economic barometer. The report highlighted:

Locally

• Norwich food processing equipment manufacturer Fabcon Food Systems has won a six-figure contract to supply and install bespoke machinery for a seasoning and distribution line in Belgium.
• An online platform to help engineering and manufacturing companies in Norfolk and Suffolk share employees by enabling them to move to another business during quieter periods is being set up.
• The East of England benefitted from an 11% rise in the number of foreign direct investment (FDI) projects year on year.  The FDIs created nearly 3,000 jobs across the East.

Nationally

• UK construction companies indicated a sustained downturn in business activity during May.  Furloughed workers across their supply chains contributed to reduced activity
• More than a quarter of the UK workforce is now being supported by the government’s furlough scheme and the cost so far has reached £19.6bn
• Total UK sales fell by 5.9 per cent compared with the previous year, dragged down by temporary shop closures

For full details of the latest economic barometer click here.

As more businesses begin to re-open their doors and look for new opportunities in the face of COVID-19 recovery we have highlighted several possible funding sources to support their future plans.

BBC Children in Need Covid Next Steps Grant Programme  Grants up to £80,000 for organisations working with disadvantaged children who have been particularly affected by the pandemic. 

BEE Anglia  Grants up to £20,000 (up to 40% of total cost) for projects which reduce the carbon footprint of a business; could help businesses trying to reduce their regular costs in the light of Covid-19.  Contact the programme for advice and support. 

Big Society Capital Resilience and Recovery Loan Fund   An initial £25m available for 12 month interest free loans, administered by Social Investment Business for Big Society Capital, with further funding to be released in future.    

Clean Growth Fund  A new £40m Clean Growth Fund has been launched, with funding from Government and from one of the UK’s largest charity investors, CCLA.  Clean Growth Investment Management (CGIM) are managing the Fund, which makes investments into start-up companies developing clean energy solutions.  

Coronavirus Future Fund for innovative companies.  This scheme will issue convertible loans between £125,000 to £5 million to innovative companies which are facing financing difficulties due to the coronavirus outbreak.  Launches Wednesday 20 May, detailed information available via the British Business Bank here.  

Community Action Norfolk Community Action Norfolk provide guidance and support to charities and community organisations.   They produce a monthly funding newsletter and can help find funding.  For more information or to sign up please email office@communityactionnorfolk.org.uk  

Coronavirus Community Support Fund  £200m of grants now available to small to medium sized charities supporting communities in response to Covid 19. 

Covid-19 Emergency Heritage at Risk Response Fund  Grants from Historic England up to £25,000 to enable urgent repairs to listed buildings to enable them to re-open to the public after lockdown. 

Defra funding for dairy farmers announced  Up to £10,000 grant for dairy farmers whose businesses are suffering from reduced milk demand, to cover 70% of lost income in April and May.  Fund will open for applications from 18 June.   

Funding for satellite-based innovative health solutions  £2.6m funding for satellite-enabled technology and services that strengthen the NHS response to coronavirus.  UK Space Agency and European Space Agency (ESA) in support of NHS England. 

Future Flight Challenge Phase 2  Innovate UK funding for large partnership projects (above £500K) to develop new aviation systems and/or vehicle technologies.  These could include drones, urban air mobility vehicles or electric regional aircraft.  Deadline 1 July. 

Good Finance Resource Hub for Charities and Social Enterprises  Useful listings of funding sources and funding advice for charities and social enterprises.   Be aware that not all the funding sources listed may be up to date. 

Heritage Emergency Fund

£50m available from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for previous or current grant recipients, to support them to protect heritage and maintain heritage businesses.   Also £1.2m Digital Skills for Heritage initiative to help the sector to adapt to greater online delivery. 

Innovate UK Designing sustainable plastics solutions   Grants up to £80,000 for business-led projects which reduce the harm which plastics do to the environment.  Deadline 16 September.  

Innovate UK EUREKA: Healthy Ageing funding call  Support of up to £500,000 for digital health and smart technology innovations which enable healthy ageing.   Applicants must have at least one international partner from a EUREKA participating nation. 

Innovate UK coronavirus business support package  Continuity grants and loans to help existing Innovate UK grant holders. As part of this package, additional support to innovative high-growth companies is also available from the Enterprise Europe Network; contact the Growth Hub for more information on this.  

LEAP: Small emergency loan programme for food businesses  £5,000-£20,000 loans from FEA (Funding Enlightened Agriculture) for community food businesses and agroecological growers.   

Morrisons Foundation  Grants up to £10,000 for charities which work with homeless people, for projects responding to the Covid-19 emergency. 

Nationwide Community Grants  Grants from £10,000-£50,000 for local housing projects from charitable organisations that will strengthen local communities to support the most vulnerable.  

Pay it Forward from Crowdfunder  Free to use crowdfunding service, helping businesses to source financial support. 

Power to Change £7m rescue package for community businesses  Funding available to community businesses which have previously had Power to Change funding, or been supported by Power to Change partners including the Plunkett Foundation.   Applications open from 11 May. 

Sport England Innovation Open Call  Grants up to £50,000 and support and advice offered to projects with innovative solutions to reducing health inequalities around sport and exercise during the pandemic. 

The Prince’s Trust and NatWest Enterprise Relief Fund  Grants and support for 18-30 year olds who are self-employed or running their own businesses.   

UKRI Covid 19 research and innovation funding   UK Research and Innovation grants of up to 80% of the total project cost of initiatives to develop solutions to the consequences of the Covid 19 outbreak where a rapid path to funding is needed.   For help looking at the full range of Innovate UK funding, contact the Growth Hub. 

UK Seafood Innovation Fund  Government grant programme for projects which support the fishing industry, including innovative approaches to developing local supply chains.  Call for applications ends 26 June. 

Youth Futures grants programmes  A range of grants for charities working to support young people from the new Youth Futures Foundation. 

Zoos Support Fund   Up to £100,000 grant payable over 3 months, aimed at smaller licensed zoos and aquariums to support them with the direct costs of caring for animals.   

Commenting on the ongoing negotiations between the UK and the EU, BCC Director General Dr Adam Marshall said:

“Businesses need the two sides to knuckle down and agree a deal. Otherwise companies will have to spend cash they don’t have preparing for a ‘no deal’ scenario yet again, just as they try to cope with the impact of the worst economic crisis in living memory.

“Both the UK and EU need to signal a willingness to compromise when they meet next week. Allowing the present standoff to continue would be like kicking the economy when it’s already down. Livelihoods in both the UK and the EU depend on rapid moves to break the logjam.

“As we have been warning for years now, businesses still need detailed answers on a wide range of questions if they are to plan for change. That need is only intensifying as the end of the transition period comes into sight.” 

On the UK government’s plans for easements at the Border:

“Companies will be pleased to see the government adopting a pragmatic approach to customs procedures at the border. Many trading businesses were shocked when the government insisted that it would be imposing full checks and bureaucracy from day one – deal or no deal – and they will welcome this more practical and sensible approach. 

“We have long campaigned for the UK government to prioritise flow across the border, not revenue or bureaucracy, when the transition period comes to an end. The very last thing ministers should seek to do is to pile new compliance costs on trading firms, who are already dealing with higher costs and lower revenues due to the coronavirus crisis.”

Commenting on additional grant funding to support customs agents, BCC Director of Trade Facilitation Liam Smyth said:

“We are pleased to see the government respond to our call to provide additional funding for customs agents. More than 150,000 traders will need support to make customs declarations for the first time, and this £50m will help to make that happen.” 

Norfolk County Council’s Public Health team has produced a toolkit for supporting businesses to engage with staff and customers, as they begin to re-open and to ensure a safer and healthier environment for their staff. 

This toolkit is not intended to replace or supersede other guidance; it is intended to help to give further detail on the aspects of behaviours that will be necessary to reduce / prevent the spread of coronavirus. It is intended to help businesses, who need to have employees or customers on their premises, find ideas that will work for them and their situation.

From today, Monday 15 June, it is mandatory to wear face coverings on public transport in England (bus, coach, train, tram, ferry and aircrafts). This is to help reduce the risk of transmission when social distancing is not always possible.

• Under the new rules, operators will be able to prevent passengers who refuse to follow the rules from travelling and police will be able to issue fines of £100;
• Over 3,000 extra staff will be deployed from Monday to support the travelling public, reminding people about the need to wear face coverings and helping vulnerable passengers

Guidance remains to work from home if you can and avoid public transport where possible. Find out more here.

All non-essential retail shops (high street retailers, department stores, book shops, electronics retailers, tailors, auction houses, photography studios, indoor markets, and shops selling clothes, shoes and toys) can reopen in England from today, Monday 15 June, provided they follow guidelines to keep staff and customers as safe as possible.

Please refer to the Working safely during coronavirus Shops and Branches guidance for further details and watch the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy webinar on working safely in shops and branches during coronavirus.

The Government have provided  funding to help support some of the businesses and charities that did not qualify under the Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund.

Government have requested that Local Authorities prioritise certain types of businesses and charities from this fund, and have set out guidance under which there are some criteria that a local scheme must comply with. However, local councils are also able to support businesses that are important to the local economy and are able to set their own criteria for these.  Subject to the criteria your business may be eligible for support.

This scheme cannot help all businesses who are likely to seek support and Local Authorities are inviting applications for the local discretionary grant with a fixed time period for applications.

Both South Norfolk and Broadland District Councils have now begun taking applications for the fund. You can find out more details for each here:

South Norfolk Council

Broadland District Council

The Department of Work and Pensions have launched a new campaign around Universal Credit and COVID-19.

A new website has been launched to provide clear, factual information on employment and benefits support with advice on housing, furlough, sick pay and self-employment, alongside advice and FAQs for employers, those already claiming and those making a new claim.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact upon the lives and livelihoods of people across East of England, this new website will be a vital resource for thousands who need concise, accurate information on the support available to them and their family.

DWP have provided a suite of social media assets with approved messaging which you can download here. This link will expire after 7 days.

The new campaign content is simple and informative, with an emphasis on ensuring that all new and existing Universal Credit claimants are kept fully up to date with how to access the support available.

The UK government and HM Treasury have announced that people on paternity and maternity leave who return to work in the coming months will be eligible for the furlough scheme, despite the 10 June cut-off date.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) has been extended until October, with new flexibilities being introduced by the government from 01 July to support the economy by allowing furloughed employees to return to work part-time. Find out more here.