Exmoor Tourism Business Update

Coronavirus Update 27 May 2020

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ENPA Covid-19 Business Support

ENPA Covid-19 public guidance

ENPA hub for tourism providers

Exmoor Covid-19 Tourism Recovery Plan

Dear all

I do hope that you are all keeping well and staying safe. These are clearly difficult times for all involved in the visitor economy.

Since the easing of travel restrictions for exercise Exmoor has seen an increase in visitors. I am pleased to report that most of Exmoor has remained free from the unmanageable numbers and anti social behaviour seen in some other destinations which bodes well for a fuller return to tourism when we will be promoting the #VisitExmoorSafely message.

Meanwhile our Rangers are continuing to work around the National Park supporting the police, our communities and landscapes. Read more about the current ENPA response and our guidelines for using the National Park along with a message from our Chief Executive here. A press release published ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend can be found here .

Although we are busy preparing for the return of more visitors when the time is right, tourism organisations are currently continuing with the #VisitExmoorLater and #VirtualExmoor social media campaigns being run by Visit Exmoor.

As ever, please do let us know what issues you're facing - there is a link to a short short survey below which will help us to gauge the specific impact to businesses on Exmoor.

We're continuing our work with partners from all the Exmoor based tourism organisations on our joint Tourism Recovery Plan and you can access the latest versions below along with some training material and opportunities.

With best wishes

Dan James

Sustainable Economy Manager

Exmoor Tourism Recovery Plan

Tourism organisations across Exmoor have joined together to collaborate on a joint Recovery Plan alongside ourselves and Visit Exmoor.

The plan focuses on:

Delivering strong, consistent messages to new and engaged audiences
Using our resources effectively for maximum impact
Engaging closely with local businesses, communities, stakeholders and influencers - locally, regionally and nationally - to support and champion the voice of Exmoor Tourism
Agreeing broad principles and strategies that all partners and tourism businesses can apply and deliver through their own channels.

You can download the latest version of the Exmoor Covid-19 Tourism Response & Recovery Plan here (PDF).

We have also produced an Impact Statement summarising the potential impact of Covid-19 on Exmoor's visitor economy - read the statement here.

When the tourism organisations next meet (virtually) in mid June., we will be discussing a plan for a fuller re-opening of Exmoor. Your suggestions and concerns are welcome.

Please get in touch with Katrina Munro if you have any feedback or suggestions.

Exmoor tourism partners engage with Residents

Having grouped together with the National Park Authority and District Councils to develop the united recovery plan for tourism on Exmoor the industry based organisations have published an open letter to the residents of Exmoor .

The letter sets out the economic value of the visitor economy to local communities and provides assurance to communities that industry leaders are seeking a safe return to tourism at the right time.

Read the letter here - there is also a PDF to download and share should you wish.

Plan your own Recovery

We're keen to support you as you plan for your own recovery. We have also collated some initial ideas and links to further advice for different types of tourism businesses and the changes you might need to make to adapt to a new way of working when restrictions begin to be lifted.

Download the guide here (PDF)

The Heart of South West Growth Hub have some useful guidance for businesses on re-opening here.

'Tourism Know How' have provided free access to their online marketing recovery for small tourism businesses which we would recommend you register for and complete.

The British Retail Consortium has just published new guidance on social distancing in stores here

You may be interested to read the governments guidance for safer Public Places - Urban areas and Green spaces - this will help to give you a better understanding of how our communities might need to adapt.

Exmoor Covid-19 Economic Impact Survey

The impact of Covid-19 on our rural economy is going to be very significant. Through the Rural Enterprise Exmoor initiative we will shortly be publishing the final results providing an incredibly useful baseline of data.

But we now need to gain a better understanding of the impacts and potential changes to this baseline.

We are aware that many of you may have been approached to complete several surveys at a local or regional level. However this is our only way of getting a true picture of the specific issues facing the rural economy on Exmor at this time.

Please help us to help you by completing the Covid-19 survey here.

Government and HM Treasury Support - updated

Coronavirus Job Retention (Furlough) Scheme where small and large employers are eligible to apply for a government grant of up to 80% of workers’ salaries up to £2,500 a month.

UPDATE!! This scheme has recently been amended and extended to the end of October. Importantly, part- time work within the furlough scheme is now allowed.

Grant schemes - Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will be eligible for a £25,000 cash grant per property, for each property that has a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000. These businesses will also have a business rates holiday for the 2020/21 tax year. If you pay business rates and have a rateable value of up to £51,000 and associate yourself with the retail, hospitality or leisure sector do follow this up with your relevant District Council: You can find up to date information from Somerset West & Taunton Council here and North Devon Council here . SW&T report that 21% of eligible businesses have not yet applied!

NEW!! A fund for Discretionary Grants has also been given to District Councils to administer. to provide support for some of those businesses that were not eligible for the first round of grants - particularly with respect to premises costs. Initial guidance to Local Authorities has been published (PDF) but as this is a discretionary scheme please await further detail from your District Council on the approach and criteria. Applications will open on 1st June - use the links above.

Self-Employed Income Support Scheme to help eligible freelance workers receive up to £2,500 per month in grants for at least three months. Those eligible will receive a cash grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profit over the three years up to 2018/19.

Deferral of the next quarter of VAT payments for firms, until the end of June

G overnment backed and guaranteed Loans to support businesses. The Chancellor has extended the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) .so that all viable small and large businesses affected by COVID-19, and not just those unable to secure regular commercial financing, will now be eligible should they need finance to keep operating during this difficult time. The Bounce Back Loan scheme will help small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000. The government will guarantee 100% of the loan and there won’t be any fees or interest to pay for the first 12 months.

Free Digital Training Sessions

This period might be freeing up some time for updating and improving your website, getting better photographs/films, improving your social media skills.

We’ll be keeping you up to date with digital training opportunities in the coming weeks. Here are some free online courses being run by Cosmic:

Somerset businesses only - Details here

North Devon businesses only . Details here

Somerset or Devon businesses - Details here

FREE Associate Membership of Visit Exmoor

Visit Exmoor are inviting ALL businesses across Exmoor and its surrounding area to join a free Visit Exmoor Associate Member Programme. They're focusing on how they can best support all tourism and visitor related businesses across Exmoor and its surrounding areas through this difficult period.

The "Associate Member" programme is FREE of charge and aims to keep your business updated with relevant support information and connect you with their marketing and PR initiatives and campaigns.

Find out more and sign up as an Associate Member .

#VirtualExmoor

Whilst we aren't actively promoting visits to Exmoor at this time, we can continue to build brand awareness and we would encourage all businesses on social media to take Exmoor to the homes of people across the country using the #VirtualExmoor and #VisitExmoorLater hashtags.

You can share videos, images and stories from Exmoor whilst reinforcing the message to stay home and Visit Exmoor Later. You can also invite your followers to engage with you and share their memories and aspirations for future visits to Exmoor. There have been some great examples of businesses responding creatively on social media e.g. running Facebook Live streams for those wanting their 'dose of Exmoor' which could all be brought together as a unified campaign using #VirtualExmoor .

Who's who - meet the Exmoor National Park Sustainable Economy Team

Dan James ,

Sustainable Economy Manager

Mon - Fri

@DanJamesENPA

Katrina Munro ,

Economy Project Officer

Mon - Thurs

@KatrinaMunroENP

National Park Centres

Our National Park Centres at Dunster, Dulverton and Lynmouth are available to inspire and inform you and your guests with expert advice, interactive displays and resources.

@ExmoorNPCs

Visit Exmoor

We support and host Visit Exmoor who take a lead on the marketing of Exmoor as a visitor destination.

@VisitExmoor