Bexley Shop Safe Shop Local
New website to support our town centres
The Covid-19 Business Support Programme for businesses across the London Borough of Bexley was launched this week.
Bexley has developed the programme with funding from the European Regional Development Fund, through the government’s Reopening High Streets Safely programme. The programme is designed to help the borough’s town centres, supporting them to re-open in a safe and successful way post-lockdown, and to generate sales and restructure during lockdown.
Businesses can visit the dedicated website www.bexleyportal.co.uk for free access to information videos and resources, to help them become safer and more resilient in the face of Covid-19.
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth, Cllr Louie French said:
“We know how much our local retailers have been affected by the pandemic. We want to give them as much support as possible so that, when the time comes, they are ready to re-open and start to welcome customers back through their doors.
“Our town centres are vital to our borough. I would encourage any local business to take a look at the portal, take advantage of any extra support available and would like to remind everyone that you can support more local businesses by shopping online.”
The online information is presented in simple steps to help businesses from all sectors re-open safely, set up and use web, social media and other tools to boost turnover and resilience, and understand key employment issues, including furlough and redundancy.
Free 1-2-1 support is also provided as part of the programme. Businesses can access up to two hours of time from business experts to discuss their financial situation, cashflow forecasting, employment issues, web and social media, Covid safety and social distancing measures, and any other business issues that might be concerning them.
The programme is delivered by retail specialist advisors Retail Revival Ltd and links to the borough-wide ‘Shop Local, Shop Safe’ safe return campaign. This is designed to help kick-start the local economy, get people back to work and customers back to the shops safely, in line with government guidance.
To find out more about the current government business grants available to business affected by Covid visit www.bexley.gov.uk/business
