"The daily emails are so useful to read to get up-to-date information on all new government guidance and changes. Working a lot it’s hard to keep up with the news so the daily emails are a great quick way to get the key details that are important for us to operate our business efficiently and correctly." - Matthew Merrick, Holiday Inn London - Brentford Lock
Hounslow Chamber in conjunction with Chiswickbuzz webinars
All are free, run for 60 minutes and start at 10:00 am:


Managing Debt - 6 th August

Much money has been lent, the loans will become due …
 
  • Marcus Gruenwald, Finpoint
  • Tony Ryan, Branduin Business Support
  • Nick Woolf, Nicholas Woolf Solicitors
  • Mukesh Malhtora, Thamesbank Credit Union
  • Alan Rides, Hounslow Chamber
 
Re-boot, Recover & Grow – with an Ealing bias - 27 th August

Panellists to be announced.


If you have missed our webinars, you can watch them now:  https://hounslowchamber.org.uk/10015


Re-boot Business Breakfast - 12 th August at 9:30am - 11:00am
Venture X, Building 7, Chiswick Park,566 Chiswick High Road, London W4 5YG

We are so pleased to be able to hold another face to face networking event. The last time we were all together was 10th March!
Face coverings are now mandatory in shops

All customers and staff will be required to wear face coverings in shops and supermarkets, a new rule which comes into effect at midnight on 24 July. The Government has also announced that people must wear masks at take away restaurants and cafes when ordering for takeaway. Under the new rules, people who do not wear a face covering will face a fine of up to £100. Shops and supermarkets have been asked to encourage compliance with the law and are allowed to refuse entry to customers who do not wear a face covering once the law comes into effect. 

Make it your space

We're committed to supporting businesses recover and bounce back from the lockdown disruption. A new Fast Track Pavement Licence has now been introduced, which will cost £100 and be valid for 12 months, that can be used to put removable furniture on the road adjacent to your premises. Applications can be made for pubs, cafes, bars, restaurants or other drinking establishment, and premises for the sale of food for consumption on or off the premises.

Register for Eat Out to to Help Out

You can use the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme to offer a discount to diners and encourage them to eat at your restaurant.
You can use the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme:
  • all day, every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 to 31 August 2020
  • to offer a 50% discount on food or non-alcoholic drinks to eat or drink in (up to a maximum of £10 discount per diner)
  • to claim the money back from the government
There is no limit to the number of times customers can use the offer during the period of the scheme. Alcohol and service charges are excluded from the offer.

Let everyone know you're open!

Let residents and visitors know you are open and have adapted your businesses to ensure customers can safely access your premises and services. You can do this by listing your business on our interactive Hounslow is Open portal. 

Discretionary Business Grants applications are open

Organisations can apply for grants of £25,000, £10,000 and £5,000 depending on businesses property costs. In order to qualify, businesses must meet a revised set of criteria, which has been expanded to include small and microbusinesses who operate on a seasonal basis or those who are not registered with Companies House.

Enhanced Cleaning

We are using hospital-grade anti-viral cleaning products in all public areas across the network.

Key interchanges are being cleaned throughout the day, and there is an enhanced regime across our entire fleet to ensure regularly touched surfaces are clean.   Check our guidance on safer travel before your journey

As customers return to our network there are a few things we ask you to keep in mind:
  • You must wear a face covering over your mouth and nose for your entire journey, unless you are exempt. This is to keep everyone safe. Please be assured the police and TfL's enforcement officers are working to ensure compliance and people may be refused entry or risk a fine or prosecution if they do not comply.
  • Travel during quieter times, our busier periods are between 05:45-08:15 and 16:00-17:30 on weekdays.
  • Follow the social distancing signage in place across the network, keeping your distance from other passengers wherever possible.  
  • We have lots of online tools to help you plan your journey, including maps with walking times between Tube stations and walking times between shops and attractions in West End.
  • No Night Tube or London Overground Night Service and limited Night Bus services are running.
As the nation enters a new phase of its COVID-19 response, you are probably wondering what the coming months have in store for your business. New resources have been made available to employers, but some are complex. 

Clarification on CJRS

Like many employers, you might be concerned by a recent news article which suggested that furlough money must be paid back if you make an employee redundant.

Safe handling of test and trace data

Recent government guidelines encourage businesses to record the names and contact details of customers and visitors for use by the NHS Test and Trace team.

IR35 2021

IR35 legislation has been in place for years to ensure that contractors pay appropriate tax. The IR35 provision was due to become more robust in April.

How has coronavirus changed the "lunch break"?

Wolfing down a sandwich in front of the computer was the norm for lunch in many offices before the outbreak, despite strict rules about minimum break times.

A prime example of going the extra mile

A delivery driver has achieved fame after a hidden camera recorded her going the extra mile for a young customer.

An update on Heathrow's operations

COVID-19 continues to weigh heavily on travel demand with Heathrow’s passenger numbers down by over 95% compared to the start of last year’s summer season. Since the beginning of this pandemic traffic and passenger numbers typically have reduced by 99% from 2019 levels, estimates put UK airport lost revenue for 2020 at almost £4 billion so far and up to 110,000 jobs are now at risk at UK airports and their supply chains.

The aviation industry – and the sectors which rely on us – need swift action from Government to enable aircraft to get back in the skies to support the UK’s economic recovery. The proposal for a temporary, 12-month APD holiday – as outlined in the report released by Airlines UK this week is exactly the type of decisive action that is needed to protect thousands of jobs, lower airfares for passengers and drive the tourism and trade that will restart Britain’s economic engine. We urge the Government to move forward with it at pace.
  • Looking ahead to recovery
  • Building Back Better - leading a green recovery
  • A Heathrow 'Associated Freeport' - connecting the UK's regions to international trade
Good News:
Home Garden

Over the lock down I have been growing my own veg and today they were ready to be picked.
2020 continues to be a challenging year and some may question Business Awards going ahead. After much reflection we feel there are reasons to be optimistic. Please enter the Awards, based on your activity in 2019, using it as a means to celebrate the past, to mark the end of 2020, and to give you and your team a wonderful night out on 15th October 2020, to move into the Christmas season and to start 2021 in an upbeat frame of mind.

Please be assured that we will be adhering to Government guidelines to ensure we are all safe.

Click here  to see the safety measures now in place at Clayton Hotel Chiswick.

The Business Awards are open to ALL businesses in the London Boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Hounslow and ALL our Chamber members, wherever you are based.


There are 19 award categories which you can enter now, just click the link to enter, fill out the form and submit. The deadline date for entries is 22 nd August 2020.
West London Local Chambers & Hounslow Chamber of Commerce are the primary support, networking, and representation organisation in west London for SMEs.

We support the interests, the commercial aspirations and the investment from businesses in Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham - the Chamber is the voice for all businesses located in the borough