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Dear All,

This week’s Items of Interest:

1. The Eat Out to Help Out scheme, by which you get a 50% discount when you eat in at restaurants that are registered with the scheme, is open for the rest of August. This article lists a number of local independent businesses that have signed up (as at 31 July), and you can find up-to-date information on participating establishments here.

2. As the effects of the pandemic became apparent, we launched the OutSet Micro-Business COVID-19 Support programme, designed to respond to the needs of Bristol’s small business community. Businesses with less than 10 employees are able to benefit from immediate help and support from expert advisors. The programme runs until Wednesday 19 August, so to ensure you don’t miss out, email bristolcovidresponse@outset.org or call: 0800 917 9324.

3. As Bristol begins to re-open and accommodation, attractions, shops, restaurants and bars start to welcome visitors once again, Visit Bristol has created a guide with some FAQs about what you might need to know before you go, along with the latest official coronavirus UK guidance; access it here.

4. A new service for residents and businesses based in South Bristol has officially launched. The South Bristol Enterprise Support (SBES) is available both for existing businesses that are looking to grow and also residents who are looking to start a business. The service offers a  range of provision including mentoring for young people in enterprise and support for digital manufacturing, bursaries, grants, pre-start up training packages, access to workshops and business coaching.

5. The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in support for and awareness of small businesses in the UK, according to new research; more here.

6. The West of England Recovery Taskforce has backed plans for integrated support for businesses and employees at risk of redundancy due to Covid-19. The support is coordinated through the new Redundancy Response Group that is led by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and brings together government departments, employers, unions, local councils and education and training providers; more here.

7. The UK Government committed to conduct a fundamental review of business rates and published the terms of reference for the review at the Spring Budget. The call for evidence on the multiplier and reliefs sections closes on Friday 18 September; and for all other sections on Saturday 31 October; more here.

8. SETSquared Bristol’s Breakthrough Bursary scheme is aimed at BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) founders with an existing tech business and first-time entrepreneurs from a BAME background; find our more here.

9. Read more about recent and future road changes and parking bay suspensions across Bristol here.

10. The UK’s first scheduled bus booking system is being trialled in Bristol by First Bus; more here.

11. A record-breaking number of new business formations in June offset a major drop in registrations during lockdown and suggests the beginning of an entrepreneurial recovery. These are some of the findings from analysis of Companies House data by the Centre for Entrepreneurs (CFE); more here.

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