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Visit Reading Christmas 2020

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Eating and Drinking

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Food and drink reopening 4 July

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Shops re-opening

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Arts and Culture

Whats On? 2020

Film: Reading's vibrant cultural scene

Heritage and History

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Heritage Open Days 2020

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Introduction to Reading for the travel trade

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Re-opening the town centre ... safely

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BID

Reading Central BID 2019-24

Abbey Quarter Business Improvement District 2019-24

Supporting Reading businesses: COVID-19

Coronavirus update (22 October 2020)

While the approach to the Covid-19 health crisis is changing on a daily basis we think it is important to keep everyone informed of the latest advice and what resources are available for businesses and employees affected by the emergency.

Latest advice / announcements

22 Oct

Chancellor announcement - expanding Job Support Scheme (JSS) and other measures>>>

Businesses only need to pay 5% of part-time wages under amendments to the JSS scheme, grants for hospitality businesses in Tier 2, more support for the self-employed.

13 Oct

3 Tier assessment>>>

Reading has been assessed to be in Tier 1 (Medium Risk) which means it is required to follow current national guidance.

9 Oct

Job Support Scheme expanded to support businesses required to close their premises due to coronavirus restrictions

25 Sep

Winter Economy Plan

Announcement on Job Support Scheme (1 Nov), extension of SEISS (until April 2021), flexibility on Bounce Back Loans and Business Interruption Loan repayment plans and 15% VAT cut for tourism/hospitality sector(until March 2021)

22 Sept

Government announcement - 22 September

Read summary of what has changed following PM's announcement

26 Aug

Important - read this to avoid second outbreak>>>

Information for businesses from Reading Borough Council and the Director of Public Health for Reading with steps for businesses to take to avoid a second COVID-19 outbreak in Reading

17 Aug

Second stage of Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) open

HMRC will contact eligible self-employed businesses adversely affected by coronavirus since 14 July for a second and final SEISS grant.

13 Aug

New guidance on reporting COVID outbreaks for businesses>

15 Jul

Face masks mandatory in shops from 24 July>>>

Financial support for business

Reading Borough Council

Business rates relief mechanism, business grants administration and links to other advice and guidance

Bounce back loans for small business

3 month extension to file company accounts

Deferral of VAT payments

Commercial tenants rent payment protecxtion

Job retention scheme

Business interruption loan scheme

Business advice and helplines

Hospitality and attractions re-opening guidance

Government; support for business advice and guidance

Job retention scheme, support for self-employed, business rates relief, grants and much more...

Government Business Q&A

Thames Valley Berkshire LEP Growth Hub coronavirus business advice (business loans advice and higher level business support)

Government business helpline - 0300 456 3565

Social distancing in the workplace guidelines>>>

Sector specific advice and guidance announcements

Hospitality and attractions re-opening guidance

Garden Centres to reopen

Adapting and re-opening food business - Food Standards Agency

Estate agents - restarting the housing market

Sport and leisure - re-opening outdoor facilities

Construction: new Site Operating Procedures>>>

Tech sector: Tech Nation tech business support hub>>>

Arts Council COVID advice / emergency funding>>>

Retail, hospitality and leisure

Childcare providers (Business rates holiday)

Cultural sector - Funding for Online Culture Projects

Reading Place of Culture programme funding for Reading Culture Live digital platform>>>

Food - Guidance for food businesses>>>

Cultural sector >>>

Reading UK's dedicated web page for Reading cultural sector with info on applying for ACE grants

Charities>>>

List of businesses required to close>>>

Health - NHS

Face masks compulsory on public transport from 15 June

Test and trace service launched>>>

Who can get tested and how?

Latest NHS advice

Public advised to cover faces in enclosed spaces (11 May) >>>

Employment

Government advice to employees

Support for self employed

Understanding Universal Credit page below is being updated regularly with information>>>

A range of extra support and measures will be in place to help workers, benefit claimants and businesses affected by coronavirus>>>

'Universal Credit guide finder' which provides links to all the current guidance available

Find it on the first page of the Helping someone claim section on the Understanding Universal Credit website.

Well-being: Tips for working from home (Hays Recruitment)>>>

Buildings and insurance policy

Government statement re commercial insurance

Crime and safety

Thames Valley Police latest advice on staying home>>>

Non-emergency Police online crime reporting form (to help Police manage their resources best)

National Business Crime Centre advice during COVID-19

Communications and customer relations in a difficult time

Ideabook on brand resilience and recovery planning (BH&P)

Reading UK has teamed up with local creative marketing agency BH&P to create a marketing ideabook, aimed at supporting our local businesses with brand resilience and recovery planning during these challenging times.

Travel

New guidance to ensure transport network is safe for those who need to use it (12 May)

New reduced GWR timetable announced (effective from 30 March)

Reading Buses new timetable (from 30 March onwards)

Volunteering

One Reading Hub

Helpline for anyone who will be connected with volunteers, organisations and services who can support then during the COVID-19 outbreak. Tel: 0808 1894325 (9am-5pm /5 days a week).

Volunteer at the Royal Berkshire Hospital

A whole range of roles are available from porters to senior managers

While we recognise we’re only at the start of what will be a difficult journey we want to reassure you that Reading UK and its partners will be working together to formulate plans for economic recovery as soon as the timing is right.