Business

Business Recovery Helpline 03333 602 300 - Monday to Friday 8.30am-5.30pm 
This service is funded by Kent Local Authorities and delivered by the Kent and Medway Growth Hub.

COVID-19 support for businesses

• Back to Business Hub
  We've set up a Back to Business Hub to help you find the right support to go back to business safely. We provide a wide range of advice including social distancing, food safety and enhanced hygiene measures. Call 01304 821199 option 8.

Financial Support

• South East Business COVID Recovery (SEBCOR) grant scheme
  

  Grants are available from £1,000 – £3,000 to pay for services that relate directly to the business recovery response to the pandemic, such as: IT/HR/Accountancy Consultancy services or to purchase minor equipment.

• Small business and Retail, hospitality and leisure grants
  Cash grants available to support small businesses and businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors
• Discretionary business grants - this scheme has now closed
• Business Rates support
  Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors plus childcare providers will pay no business rates for the financial year 2020-21, regardless of their rateable value.
• Government financial support for businesses
  How to access the support that has been made available.
• Business Interruption Loan Scheme
  Support businesses who may need to respond to cash-flow pressures. Delivered by British Business Bank and partners
• HMRC Time To Pay Scheme
  HMRC’s helpline for help and advice on paying your tax: 0800 0159 559. 

 Other support

• FREE - Business recovery support programme
  Kent & Medway Growth Hub will be offering any business, the opportunity of working with a Business Adviser until 31 August 2020 to develop and implement a personalised Recovery Action Plan.
• FREE - Future Forward - free consultancy
  Businesses employing less than 250 people can access 12 hours of free consultancy delivered by Locate in Kent’s business advisor team. 
• South East LEP Growth Hub
  Coronavirus guide for businesses including more useful links
• Advice from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)
  Coronavirus information is updated regularly to reflect changes

Food businesses

• Food businesses that are starting to supply their customers with hot and cold food deliveries or takeaways must follow the government coronavirus guidance for food businesses.  If you are setting up a new food business in the district you must register your food business online at least 28 days before you begin trading.