Hounslow Business Task Force at Ten - Free Webinars:
 
Please join us on Tuesday, 12 th  May at 10:00 am for a Health & Wellbeing webinar to try to understand our current behaviour patterns and how we can cope better. There will be plenty of time for your questions to our panel of the following experts. This could be the most useful 60 minutes of your day!

Please book here:

The next task force at ten webinar is on Thursday 14 th  May at 10:00am
We are so pleased that Andrew Hatch from TfL will be part of the panel.
 
If you have missed our webinars, you can watch them now:  https://hounslowchamber.org.uk/10015
The programme of advice and support is really helping business owners with up to date information, enabling you to make good decisions about how to get through the current strange times.

All the webinars are free – please use this service and click here to book your place.

TfL is planning to get London moving and working again , safely and sustainably. As part of a phased return to work once the current coronavirus restrictions begin to be lifted TfL will need to manage demand on the transport network and protect the journeys of key workers and other essential journeys.

TfL is seeking insight into the challenges and opportunities for businesses and their employees. If you have 3-5 minutes please complete this short business survey . Your response will be anonymous and held in confidence. The survey closes at 17:00 on Thursday, 14 May 2020.
Small business grants (courtesy of the Cabinet Office)

There is a new £617m discretionary fund for local authorities in England to help businesses impacted by #coronavirus. This is to help businesses who have ongoing fixed property-related costs and were previously outside the scope of the business grant funds scheme. Find out more:  https://bit.ly/BizGrantTopup
DAILY BUSINESS BRIEFING FROM GOVERNMENT'S COVID-19 PRESS CONFERENCE (courtesy of White Label)

More than 69,000 loans approved in the first day of the Bounce Back Loan Scheme
More than 69,000 Bounce Back Loans worth over £2billion have been approved during the first 24 hours of the scheme, the Chancellor has announced .

The seven largest lenders (Barclays, Danske, HSBC, Lloyds, RBS, Santander and Virgin Money) received more than 130,000 Bounce Back Loan Scheme applications on the first day of the scheme (4 May). More than 69,000 of these have been approved on the first day, and lenders are working hard to process and approve the rest as quickly as possible.

For more information on applying for a Bounce Back Loan go here.

COVID-19: Firms ready to restart within three weeks, say Chambers
Most firms believe they could be ready to restart business with just three weeks' notice, according to the latest British Chambers of Commerce weekly coronavirus survey of firms.

The survey suggests businesses that offer services to other business are the most ready, with two-thirds saying they would need less than one week or no notice at all to restart operations.

"Businesses' ability to restart quickly varies by company size and by sector," said BCC director general Dr Adam Marshall. Fewer than half of firms serving consumers said they were confident of being ready that quickly. "It will be crucial for the government to maintain and evolve support for businesses, to give as many firms as possible the chance to navigate a phased return to work," said Dr Marshall.
Heathrow & Regional And Business Airports Group (RABA) show united front to Select Committee (courtesy of British-Irish Airports EXPO newsletter)

6 May 2020 : Giving evidence to the Transport Select Committee today John Holland-Kaye, Chief Executive Heathrow Airport, further heated up his airport’s campaign for the UK Government to take a lead in setting a Common International Standard for aviation health screening – “as they have done for security.” Heathrow wants these standards agreed in six weeks – by mid-June.

Holland-Kaye also announced a package of trial screening measures at Heathrow including UV sanitation, contact-free security screening equipment, and facial recognition thermal screening technology to track body temperature.
CRIME DOESN’T STOP FOR COVID-19 During this difficult time offenders have sought ways to take advantage of vulnerable individuals and businesses, below we share some advice and best practise on how to try and reduce the risk and what to do if you find yourself in such a position.
‘Coronavirus coughs’ will be charged as assault
Anyone using coronavirus to threaten emergency and essential workers faces serious criminal charges, such behaviour is illegal and assaults specifically against emergency workers are punishable by up to 12 months in prison. Coughs directed as a threat at other key workers or members of the public could be charged as common assault. A female from the Northumbria area has recently been imprisoned for 4 months for such an act. Please report any incidents of this type to police via 101 and 999 in an emergency.
Burglaries/Sneak in
There has been an increase in night time burglaries, sneak in burglaries and    attempted break ins reported. On the right we have put together a check list which can support in keeping yourself and premises secure. There have been cases where personal mobile phones, house keys, car keys and purses stolen after sneak in burglaries during trading hours.

  • Ensure all doors leading into staff/ warehouse areas are closed and locked if applicable at all times
  • All valuables are locked away and not left out on display
  • Double check doors/windows/shutters are locked and secure when leaving work
  • Report any suspicious behaviour to police
  • Ensure CCTV is working and recording
  • If something seems out of place/ tampered with when approaching or entering work for open up review CCTV and report to police
NHS Fraudulent Lanyards
There have been national incidents regarding  people using fraudulent NHS lanyards in order to gain discounts on products whilst shopping. Please ensure anyone that seems suspicious in store check their details to ensure they aren't purchasing goods at discount fraudulently.  
Keep our crews safe - dispose of your waste correctly (courtesy of Hounslow Council)
Our waste and recycling collection crews have been working incredibly hard in difficult circumstances to deliver a regular service to residents - thank you for your continued patience and remember you can still  report missed collections here .
If you have symptoms, please make sure to double bag household waste and keep it separate for 72 hours before leaving out for collection.  Please help us to keep residents safe and healthy by  reporting fly-tipping wherever you see it.
Calling all those with an interest in Brentford (courtesy of Brentford Voice)

Ballymore have opened a community consultation on their proposals for the use of St. Lawrence's Church and graveyard. The 15th century church tower is Brentford's oldest surviving structure and the site is one of the hidden jewels in Brentford's heritage crown. We would encourage as many as possible from Brentford's community to respond to this consultation here .

The submission of a formal planning application is expected in May.

How to respond to the consultation :
Without the current Covid situation Ballymore may have held a public exhibition to explain their proposals. This is clearly not now possible. Comments should be with Ballymore by  Monday 11 May.
Good News:
The Red Lion, Ealing, opens its doors as a Community Store

The Red Lion in Ealing has opened its doors to the local neighbourhood in a temporary new role as a community store. Like all pubs, The Red Lion is unable to operate in its usual manner – provide delicious Italian food, a great range of beers and a convivial pub atmosphere – but licensee Edin Basic was determined to continue to serve the local community.   Click here to read more
Hounslow Chamber of Commerce is the primary support, networking, and representation organisation in west London for SMEs.

We support the interests, the commercial aspirations and the investment for some 18,000 firms - from Chiswick to Feltham, Heathrow to Osterley and Brentford to Bedfont - the Chamber is the voice for all businesses located in the borough.