Industry Update: 1 October

Latest guidance on local restrictions

There are two different sets of restrictions in place across Greater Manchester: one set that applies to Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan; and one set that applies to Oldham only.

The situation can change at any point, we therefore ask that you familiarise yourself with the information on our Know Before You Go page which is updated regularly so that both businesses and consumers have a one-stop resource for planning visits in and around Greater Manchester.

Winter Economic Plan – key take outs

Last week the Chancellor outlined additional government support for businesses and workers impacted by Coronavirus across the UK. Key take outs from the announcement include:

  • A Job Support Scheme: introduced from 1 November to protect viable jobs in businesses that are facing lower demand over the winter months due to Coronavirus. The scheme will run for six months and will be open to businesses across the UK even if they have not previously used the furlough scheme. It is designed to sit alongside the Jobs Retention Bonus.
  • Extension of the Self Employment Income Support Scheme Grant (SEISS). An initial taxable grant provided to those who are currently eligible for SEISS and are continuing to actively trade but face reduced demand due to Coronavirus.
    Tax cuts and deferrals: extension of the temporary 15% VAT cut for the tourism and hospitality sectors to the end of March 2021. And businesses who deferred their VAT bills will be given more breathing space through the New Payment Scheme, which provides the option to pay back in smaller instalments.
  • An additional 12-month extension from HMRC on the “Time to Pay” self-service facility, meaning payments deferred from July 2020, and those due in January 2021, will now not need to be paid until January 2022.
  • A new Pay as You Grow flexible repayment system, to provide flexibility for firms repaying a Bounce Back Loan.
    The Treasury intends also to give Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme lenders the ability to extend the length of loans from a maximum of six years to ten years. The Chancellor also announced that he would be extending applications for the government’s Coronavirus loan schemes until the end of November.

For further information, please click here.

In case you missed it: Contrasting urban and rural experience presents mixed picture in the latest NatWest Tourism Business Barometer

Tourism businesses across the north of England are experiencing distinctly mixed recovery trajectories as their economies reopen according to the latest round of data presented by the NatWest Tourism Business Barometer.

The fortnightly barometer, which launched in July, has regularly surveyed over 100 tourism businesses across nine regions of the North to measure the UK post-lockdown business environment. Eight weeks into the 16-week study, data suggests that whilst green shoots have emerged across several of the barometer metrics compared to the benchmark data set in week one, recovery is slower in urban destinations.

To read the full story, please click here.

Outdoor events economic support survey

The Businesses Visits and Events Partnership (BVEP) are asking all businesses that operate outdoor events to complete its research survey to help urgently seek funding support from the Government to keep the outdoor event industry afloat over the winter.

Working with DCMS to put the case to HM Treasury for economic support, your views will be helpful in building a strong case for securing support for the industry.

If you operate outdoor events, please complete the survey by 12 noon on Monday 5 October.

Partner and industry news

Please email your news to press@marketingmanchester.com FAO of Andy Parkinson and also add this email address to your media/press distribution lists.

Tourism and Hospitality Support Hub

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis the Tourism and Hospitality Support Hub has been available to ensure that tourism and hospitality businesses are given the most up to date information including reopening standards and guidance. We have streamlined the Hub to give the most useful information; however, we will continue to deliver the service throughout the reopening of the visitor economy and anyone who needs specific and detailed support should contact supporthub@marketingmanchester.com for bespoke help and advice.

Latest Links

 

  • From Saturday 3 October, lockdown measures in Bolton will be brought into alignment with measures in Manchester, meaning that hospitality businesses including bars, pubs, cafés and restaurants can resume table service subject to early 10pm closure and the rule of 6 restrictions. Bowling alleys, indoor skating rinks, casinos, indoor play, including soft play and conference centres and exhibit halls will also be able to reopen in Bolton. Previous advice against restarting indoor theatrical or concert performances will no longer apply. Restrictions on attending weddings, wedding receptions and funerals will be brought in line with the rest of Greater Manchester and the country. The government has also announced that businesses that have been closed for three weeks due to local lockdown restrictions in Bolton will now be eligible for grants of up to £1,500 each. In addition to having been closed for three weeks, eligible businesses must fit the following criteria:
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