The current coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis means this is a challenging time for all businesses. We will help you and our local economy to get through this unprecedented time.
This web section provides a hub for businesses in Enfield to find support, stay informed with the latest updates, and find resources to help you and your business.
- Enfield reopening
- Business recovery service
- Financial support
- Self-employed
- FSB partnership
- Resources
- Kickstart
- Licensing
Enfield reopening
As we look towards the reopening of our economy, in line with the government's roadmap out of lockdown, we would like to thank all our local businesses who have helped make Enfield a safer place, by observing lockdown restriction rules and getting vaccinated when invited.
We know how hard this has been for many of the businesses on our high streets. We are confident, though that given the right tools and support we can help Enfield's local economy get back on its feet.
We also want to make sure you, your employees and customers have the confidence to return, and you know how to make your place of work COVID-secure and compliant. You can keep up to date with the latest government advice at GOV.UK/coronavirus.
To view the latest restrictions, including which businesses and venues can and can't open in the current climate, visit GOV.UK - COVID-19 Response.
Once businesses begin to reopen, you will still see the Enjoy Enfield Safely campaign. This campaign is aimed at encouraging shoppers back to our borough's high streets and town centres. This will support businesses and encourage residents to shop local.
To support this campaign, Enfield Council is also looking at hosting events and cultural activities during the summer in town centres and shopping areas. More information will be available on this soon and we hope you will be able to get involved.
We would like to thank our town centre and high street businesses, which have been exceptional in their response during these hard times. Officers are working to support businesses and aid their recovery in the medium and long term.
This work is supported by the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund, established through a grant from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Guidance on making your business COVID-secure
Find out how to make your business COVID-secure using the government guidelines at GOV.UK. All businesses that remain open must continue to follow COVID-secure guidelines. If you fail to do this, you may be subject to a fixed penalty notice of £1000.
For more information, see below:
- GOV.UK - the government's 5 steps to working safely
- HSE guidance on risk assessments (before starting work, you must carry out a risk assessment)
- NHS handwashing and hygiene guidance
- GOV.UK - cleaning in non-healthcare settings
For organisations that are providing information and support to businesses, see COVID-19: resources.
Welcome back pack
Poster downloads
If you can stay open, let customers know how your business is staying COVID-19 secure:
- Customer numbers poster (PDF, 86.72 KB)
- Enjoy Enfield Safely preparing for reopening (PDF, 95.05 KB)
- COVID-Secure poster (PDF, 104.41 KB)
- Shop local poster (PDF, 213.31 KB)
Available support
- Financial support for businesses
- Financial support for the self-employed
- Business Recovery Service guidance
- Resources for businesses and employers
Stay up-to-date and contact info
We post the latest information for residents and businesses on our social media channels. By sharing our content, you will be helping to keep people safe and help our local economy survive this crisis.
You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and on LinkedIn.
You can also get the latest information in our frequent newsletter, and opting in to ‘Information for Local Businesses’.
Business recovery service
This web section provides businesses in Enfield with guidance on how to respond to the challenges they are currently facing due to COVID-19. On our business pages you will find links to the latest information, guidance and support from local and national sources.
For information about business grants, visit our financial support page.
For information about business advice and support, visit our resources page.
If you can’t find what you are looking for, or have further questions, you can complete our Business Response form and a team member will get back to you as soon as possible.
We are currently dealing with a high level of enquires, but we aim to respond within 2 working days.
Other ways to contact us
You can get the latest information by signing up to our frequent newsletter, and opting in to ‘Information for Local Businesses’.
There will also be regular updates on the Enfield Council LinkedIn page.
For information about grants, visit our financial support page. For any other queries, email business@enfield.gov.uk.
For information on the wider community support package being delivered by Enfield Council, visit Enfield’s response to COVID-19. Please note this is an ongoing situation so be aware the guidance could change at short notice.
How we use your information
Information you give will be used for the purpose of contacting you and directing you to the right help. The information will be managed in accordance with the council’s privacy policy, and used for business support purposes only. If you want us to refer you to partner organisations (the Federation of Small Businesses) for further support, please inform us. If you do not consent, only council facilities will be directly available, although our staff may signpost you to contact others yourself.
You should note that we are not business advisors and can’t provide business advice. Our team offers an initial business triage service only. We will be able to signpost to the latest information and guidance available and refer you to partner organisations (also other council departments where relevant).
Financial support
Government financial support for business
Following COVID-19 restrictions placed by government from October 2020, grants have been made available for certain businesses. Please see below an overview of grants available and applicable dates.
Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant for business rate payers
In December 2021, the government announced the introduction of new grant support for hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses in England.
The scheme offered support to businesses due to the rise of the Omicron variant, recognising that some businesses may struggle over the winter months and will have been impacted over Christmas and the New Year period.
This support was a one-off grant funding scheme, with grants of up to £6,000 available.
The scheme was open for applications from 27 January 2022 to 18 March 2022 with all payments made by 31 March 2022.
Grant applications are now closed.
Full details can be found on Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant Guidance (PDF).
Additional Restrictions Grant
The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) scheme closed to applications on 18 March and has now come to an end.
All final payments will be processed on 31 March. If you have any queries, please email arg@enfield.gov.uk.
Please allow for 7 working days from 31 March for successful applicants to receive payment.
For further details, please read our ARG Scheme Policy (PDF, 176.54 KB).
Find coronavirus financial support for your business
You can use the government's business support finder to see what support is available for you and your business.
London Growth Hub
You can find a support scheme for your business using the London Growth Hub. They have listed hundreds of programmes and initiatives, including ways to unlock finance, access workspace and business mentoring.
Human resources
Under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, all UK employers with a PAYE scheme will be able to access support to continue paying part of their employees’ salary, if they would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis. Government grants will cover 80% of the salary of retained workers up to a total of £2,500 a month.
The government will bring forward legislation to allow small and medium-sized businesses to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) paid for staff sickness absences, due to coronavirus.
Loans
Businesses affected by coronavirus can access bank lending and overdrafts via a Business Interruption Loan. For loans up to £5 million, the government is providing a guarantee of 80% for each loan.
Businesses will be able to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000 through Bounce Back Loans, and access the cash within days. The government will guarantee 100% of the loan and there won’t be any fees or interest to pay for the first twelve months. Businesses can apply online through a short and simple form. The scheme is open to applications until 31 March 2021.
The Future Fund will provide government loans to eligible UK-based companies, ranging from £125,000 to £5 million, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors.
Tax
All businesses and self-employed people in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC's Time to Pay service.
To find out more, visit GOV.UK - difficulties paying HMRC.
VAT
The government will support businesses by deferring Valued Added Tax (VAT) payments for three months.
Self-employed
The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will support self-employed individuals (including members of partnerships) whose income has been negatively impacted by COVID-19.
Check the latest information from the government on how to claim a grant and find other help available.
If you are in financial hardship, you can find out what support might be available to you by visiting Enfield’s response to COVID-19 – Financial hardship.
FSB partnership
To provide help to our small-business community, Enfield Council has partnered with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), who are able to provide smaller businesses in Enfield with information to respond to the challenges they are facing due to COVID-19.
You can find out more by visiting Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
Enfield 1,000 Business Club
We have partnered with the FSB to offer small Enfield firms the chance to join the Enfield 1,000 Business Club for free, to help with economic, employment, legal and mental health challenges.
- Small and Medium Sized Enterprises can apply for FSB membership, this means businesses with 1 - 249 employees.
- The promotion is available until March 2022, please apply as soon as possible to receive support.
- The membership will last a full 12 months.
- Please see the national FSB events calendar. To narrow down the events, please search 'Enfield' in the search engine.
Members will have access to a range of vital business support services, discounts, events and advice.
To apply for this support offer, email business@enfield.gov.uk with the subject 'Enfield 1000 Business Club Membership'.
Networking events
FSB and Enfield Council are delighted to welcome you to the newly launched 1000 Business Club Networking event. The event will take place on the third Monday of every month.
At each event we will present our regular FSB local update, ensuring you get the most from your membership, followed by our brief presentation. You will then have chance to freely network with other business owners online and through the chat room. It’s a chance to hear about all that's going on in the borough, how you can access support, and get valuable tips in business.
These networking sessions will continue even after the promotion ends in March 2022.
Resources
There are lots of other ways you can get support during the COVID-19 crisis. Here is some of the latest guidance from government and partners.
Note that this is an ongoing situation and the guidance could change at short notice.
Information for businesses
- Government guidance for employees, employers and businesses
- Business rates calculator
- Government business support
- Federation of Small Businesses
- British Chamber of Commerce
- Support for businesses paying tax
- VAT deferral
- HMRC helpline
- Department for International Trade
- Employee wages
London Growth Hub
You can find a support scheme for your business through the London Growth Hub, who have listed hundreds of programmes and initiatives. These include ways to unlock finance, access workspace and business mentoring.
You can also access free one-to-one support. If you have any queries or concerns about the potential impact COVID-19 may have on your business, you can speak to one of their business advisers.
Sector-specific organisations
- BFBI
- Build UK
- Care Providers Alliance
- Federation of Wholesale Distributors
- Food and Drink Federation
- Independent Healthcare Providers Network
- Chartered Institute of Logistics
- Make UK
- National Hair and Beauty Federation
- Road Haulage Association
- UK Hospitality
Enterprise Enfield
Enterprise Enfield offers comprehensive advice, guidance and support services to empower and inspire start-up and established businesses to grow and prosper.
Services include:
- expert advice on business planning, marketing, raising finance, start-up loans and managing accounts
- a range of practical and informative business seminars
- bespoke intensive programmes for women entrepreneurs (Inspiring Women Programme)
- low cost premises in Ponders End
North London Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise
North London Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise is a dynamic, vibrant business community representing the interests of North London businesses.
Services include:
- regular events with networking opportunities
- subsidised business reviews and advice
- seminars
- discounted meeting room hire
- directory listings
- sponsorship and promotional opportunities
Free online support and resources for businesses
These organisations offer a range of support including free guidance, one-to-one appointments, webinars and other resources:
Member access support and resources for businesses
These organisations offer guidance and resources to their members. There may be a fee to sign up as a member:
Free databases, e-resources and workshops for small businesses
Regional and national business support schemes
- HM Government's business support website
- The Greater London Authority's Business Support Helpline offers advice and guidance for new and existing businesses in London. It provides information on national and local schemes, grants and loans to help businesses start and grow.
- Newable provides advice and support in exporting goods and services
- The Mayor's International Business Programme is an initiative set up to help high-growth London businesses from life sciences, technology and urban sectors expand internationally
General COVID-19 information
Kickstart
Kickstart is a new £2 billion scheme to help create meaningful jobs for young people aged 16 to 24, who are currently claiming Universal Credit.
Funding will be available for each individual 6-month job placement and will cover 100% of the National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus associated National Insurance contributions and minimum pension costs. The information session is aimed at local businesses.
Kickstart is just one part of the ‘Planforjobs’ announced by the treasurer, and it will be important to ensure its success. Developing good quality placements for young people who need them most will be at the heart of our webinars. The attending organisations will leave with some practical resources and tips to develop their own Kickstart Programme placement.
Enfield Council is working as a Kickstart Gateway and supporting businesses by:
- administrating the scheme on their behalf
- completing the placement application
- providing expertise when onboard and training young people
How we are supporting Kickstart
Enfield Council is delighted to be hosting free-to-access webinars for employers thinking about the government's new Kickstart Scheme.
Our panel includes DWP Kickstart Scheme Leads, and representatives from Enfield Council's Attainment and Progression Team, and Economic Development Team, as we explore together the opportunities and challenges of Kickstart and how to create high quality placements.
During these webinars, we'll be providing an insight into the scheme as well as explaining how you can become a part of this opportunity.
Upcoming events
The list of dates we have set for our upcoming webinars:
- 15 June 2021 (School) - get tickets at Eventbrite
If you can't attend, please look out for future webinars over the coming months, or contact us using the email address below.
You can also get the latest information in our frequent newsletter, and opting in to ‘Information for Local Businesses’.
If you’re interested in getting involved with the Kickstart Scheme, get in touch with us by email at kickstart@enfield.gov.uk.
Licensing
Enjoy Enfield Safely Pavement Licence
Your business may be interested in applying for an Enjoy Enfield Safely Pavement Licence to enhance your business and help social distancing. The scheme, launched last year, has been extended to September 2022.
These licences allow businesses to apply to place temporary furniture such as tables and chairs outside cafes, bars and restaurants. We have made the licence application process easier and reduced the administrative fee to £100. For more information about this, see street trading.
To see a full list of licenses that are available, see business licence and permit applications.
COVID-19 marshals
Our dedicated team of COVID-19 marshals will be patrolling our streets to ensure we help our residents stay safe as national restrictions begin to ease.
Covid marshals will advise and support members of the public and businesses on following social distancing rules.
Areas where marshals can help include:
- helping businesses manage queues
- supporting social distancing in crowded public areas
- reminding people to wear a face covering when necessary
- assisting with regular cleaning of frequently touched surfaces