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Guidance on Business Support During Lockdown from Cllr Andrew Jones

We know this is a tough time for local business owners due to another COVID-19 lockdown. We’re here to continue to support local businesses like yours through this pandemic. Our Business Desk is still your first port of call for business support.

Certain businesses are now required to close during the new lockdown which began on Thursday 5 November. Find out if your business needs to close here. Staying closed and accessing the available business support will help save lives and keep H&F safe.

If you need support, please contact our Business Support Desk by emailing business-support@lbhf.gov.uk or calling 020 8753 5585. Together, we can help protect businesses and save lives in H&F. Stay safe.

Get the latest information on the financial support available for businesses during the pandemic here:

Applications for the COVID-19 Recovery Grant will reopen next week. Apply here

Get legal, finance and digital marketing guidance from local mentors. Click here

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National Lockdown Rules in Force from 5th November

With another national lockdown coming into force across England on 5th November, businesses and self-employed people will be impacted by additional restrictions and closures. These include:

  • All non-essential retail venues must close. However, businesses can offer delivery or click-and-collect of goods so you may want to look into this to retain some revenue.
  • Hospitality, leisure and entertainment venues must close. This includes gyms, cinemas, and museums.
  • Hospitality businesses such as pubs or restaurants can offer delivery or takeaway services only.
  • Hotels and hostels can only open to those who have to travel for essential work.
  • If you are a business owner, you should encourage your employees to work from home where possible. Those who can’t work from home, such as in construction or manufacturing, can continue to do so in a Covid-secure way.

Read the full Government Guidance

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Welcome to the K&C Libraries November Newsletter!

With the country going into the lockdown again from Thursday, we expect there will be changes to the library provision too.

For all the updates about the Library Service in Kensington and Chelsea over the next month, please head over to our website, where you will find the latest information and the most recent updates related to Covid-19 and the libraries service.

We are going to continue providing you with a full programme of online events – talks, workshops and book clubs, as well as a boosted virtual offer of sessions for children and adults on our social media platforms.

We are hosting the 12th annual London History Festival in the last two weeks of November, but before that, we have some fantastic events to help you through the lockdown.

Come along, enjoy and learn with us!

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Furlough Scheme Extended and Further Economic Support Announced

In response to the latest national lockdown, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been extended for a month with employees receiving 80% of their current salary for hours not worked and further economic support announced. Find out more.

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NHS to Offer ‘Long COVID’ Patients Help at Specialist Centres

People suffering ‘long COVID’ symptoms will be offered specialist help at clinics, as part of a five-point package of support.

Respiratory consultants, physiotherapists, other specialists and GPs will assess, diagnose and treat thousands of patients who have symptoms such as breathlessness, chronic fatigue, ‘brain fog’, anxiety and stress.

NHS Chief Executive, Sir Simon Stevens, said: “It is now clear that ‘long COVID’ can have a major impact on the lives of a significant minority of patients weeks or months after they have contracted the virus. So just as the NHS quickly put in place specialist hospital care for acutely ill COVID patients at the start of the pandemic, now we must respond sensitively and effectively to these new patient needs.”

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Protect Yourself from Flu This Winter

If you are eligible for a free flu vaccine, you are encouraged to take up the offer to protect yourself and others and help reduce pressure on the NHS.

The flu vaccine is the best protection we have against the flu, which is unpleasant and can trigger severe illness in those who are most vulnerable.

Due to high demand, there may be some delay getting a vaccination appointment, but there will be enough vaccine for everyone who is eligible. Your GP surgery or pharmacy will tell you when more appointments are available.

All patients with a learning disability can receive a free flu vaccine, and this easy read leaflet provides information on how to get a vaccination.

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NHS ‘Help Us, Help You’ Campaign

The latest NHS ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign urges you to contact your GP if you are concerned about cancer and keep your routine appointments if you are already being treated for a health issue.

It also encourages pregnant women to keep appointments and seek advice if they are worried about their baby, and advises people experiencing mental health issues to access NHS services and support.

England’s top children and young people’s mental health doctor, Professor Prathiba Chitsabesan, is also encouraging children, young people and students to seek support.

Your NHS is here to see you safely, so please don’t delay getting help if you need it.

Watch this video to find out more about the signs and symptoms of cancer.

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Baroness Stowell Will Not Seek a Second Term at The Charity Commission

The chair of the Charity Commission, Baroness Stowell, will step down from the role in February. Civil Society have reported that she said: “It is a huge privilege to be chair of the Charity Commission, I will say that, and certainly between now and when I finish at the end of February I am going to keep on the mission that I have been on since I arrived.” Find out more.

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Affordable, Flexible Working Solutions

Our working environments have radically changed, with many now working from home, or partly from home/ partly office.

Sobus can offer affordable and flexible office solutions with short-term licensed office space (one month minimum), pay as you go full day/ half day hot desks plus printing and laminating services. We can also offer tailor made packages to suit your needs.

Please direct enquiries to: carita.magnani@sobus.org.uk / 020 7952 1230.

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