Coronavirus - Support for businesses

Latest news

National lockdown & closure of businesses

As you may have seen the Prime Minister announced a new national lockdown. The decision follows a rapid rise in infections, hospital admissions and case rates across the country, and our hospitals are now under more pressure than they have been at any other point throughout the pandemic.

This means that a number of businesses have been asked to close or remain closed. You can see further details on the restrictions and closures of businesses on the GOV.UK website

Business Grants

With regards to grants available for businesses, we are still accepting applications for the grants announced in November. There are four different types of grants all with different eligibility criteria and grant award amounts.

Businesses who have yet to apply are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. We have created one application form which covers all four different grants making it as easy as possible for businesses. The different award amounts have been listed on the application form and businesses should check if they are eligible before completing the application form.

View a short video which explains the process on YouTube.

Businesses can apply on the One Borough Voice website.

We are still awaiting more information on the new round of lockdown grants and will list further information on our website and future newsletters once we have an update.

Update on date for grant payments

Businesses are still able to apply for the current round of grants available. Find out if you are eligible and make an application. You can also view a short video which explains the process.

Any applications received after Thursday 17 December will be processed in the new year. Our payment runs will resume as normal from the 12 January 2021.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) support is available to businesses:

• loans, tax relief and cash grants are available
• employers might be eligible for financial support to pay wages
• self-employed people might be eligible for a taxable grant covering 80% of trading profits

Business support advice on GOV.UK.

Local restrictions grant scheme

Businesses impacted by national and local COVID-19 restrictions may be eligible for grant support. We are accepting applications from businesses for the new round of grants. There are four different types of grant support with differing eligibility criteria and grant award amounts.

There is one application form which will cover all four different grants making it as easy as possible for businesses to apply.

Watch a short video from Councillor Bright explaining the various schemes.

We have listed the various award amounts on the application form and would encourage all businesses to check their eligibility and complete the form. We thank businesses for their patience during this time and will be moving as quickly as possible to get the grants processed as our number one priority.

Find out more, check your eligibility and apply

We thank businesses for their patience during this time and are moving as quickly as possible to get the scheme up and running.

To keep up to date with the latest information and advice, you can also join our business forum mailing list by emailing businessforum@lbbd.gov.uk with your business name, address and contact information.

Business Forum Newsletters

We send out regular newsletters to businesses with the latest information on advice and support available to businesses in the borough.

The council, from time to time, is approached by larger organisations seeking to buy goods and services from local businesses and we have created a business database. Being on our database also allows us to promote your business in this way.

If you would like to sign up to our mailing list please email us at businessforum@lbbd.gov.uk with a short summary of your business and what services you offer.

Barking and Dagenham Film Studios

The Mayor of London has backed plans by the council to build the capital’s largest film studios in Dagenham East, boosting the borough and London’s growing film and TV industries.

The studios will see six sound stages, productions offices and set construction workshops built on former industrial land in Yewtree Avenue. This will create an estimated 1,200 jobs and contribute £35m per year to the local economy. Find out more in our news article: Mayor gives go-ahead to major new film studios in Dagenham.

If you are a local business interested in providing goods and services to the film industry as it develops in the borough, sign up to receive news and updates on future opportunities as these emerge, and visit the filmlbbd website for more information about the film sector developing in the borough.

Reopening your business safely

As businesses have started to reopen across the borough, we've put together a short guide on the safety measures businesses should take to ensure their workspaces are safe for themselves, their staff and customers.

Reopening your business safely - Guidance for Barking and Dagenham businesses (PDF, 464KB)

Government support to manage the impact of COVID-19

The government set out a package of temporary and targeted measures to support public services, people and businesses through this period.

You can find up-to-date information on who is eligible and how to access these by visiting:

COVID-19: support for businesses on Gov.uk.

Find coronavirus financial support for your business

Use the government support finder tool to identify support available to employers and the self-employed, including sole traders and limited company directors. You may be eligible for loans, tax relief and cash grants, whether your business is open or closed.

Use this business support finder to see what support is available for you and your business.

Business coronavirus support finder

Business Rates Relief and Grants

Local restrictions grant scheme

The government have announced a new local restrictions grant scheme which will be available for local businesses. Full details of the government measures to support business, employers and the self-employed are available on the gov.uk website.

The council understands and appreciates that many businesses are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19.

Another round of support grants has been announced by the government and will be available for businesses forced to close due to national coronavirus restrictions.

We anticipate to have an online application process to be ready and open by the end of November 2020. We will update this page with details as soon as the process goes live.

You can also join our business forum mailing list by emailing businessforum@lbbd.gov.uk with your business name, address and contact information.

GOV.UK guidance for your business

Find detailed guidance on out how to make your workplace COVID-secure.

Close contact services
This includes hairdressers, barbers, beauticians, tattooists, massage therapists and tailors.

Construction and other outdoor work

Factories, plants and warehouses

Heritage locations

Hotels and other guest accommodation

Labs and research facilities

Offices and contact centres

Other people's homes

Performing arts

Providers of grassroots sport and gym/leisure facilities

Restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services

Shops and branches

Vehicles

The visitor economy
This includes people who work in hotels and guest accommodation, indoor and outdoor attractions, and business events.

Wider support available

Barking and Dagenham’s main business support provider, the Barking Enterprise Centre (BEC). The BEC offers affordable workspace, information and advice to local businesses, and hosts a range of online webinars. Further information can be found on the BEC website.

The London Growth Hub has a range of support initiatives as well as an online library of resources for businesses. You can also now book a virtual appointment with a Growth Hub Advisor to help you find the right support for your business.

The Federation of Small Businesses has also collated useful advice and information that may be useful for the issues facing small businesses.