"The amount of information that you are editing and sending out is mind boggling – but very useful." - Debbie Leon, Fashionizer
Hounslow Chamber in conjunction with Chiswickbuzz webinars
All are free, run for 60 minutes and start at 10:00 am:

Skills & Training / Transform & Innovate - 23rd July

Job losses are being announced daily. Hounslow is going to be particularly hard hit owing to its proximity to Heathrow. Please register to have your voice heard.

Panellists:
  • Seema Malhotra, MP for Feltham & Heston
  • Tracy Aust, Principal of West Thames College
  • Alan Fraser, Director at Cranford Community College
  • representative from NLET

Managing Debt - 6 th August

Panellists:
  • Marcus Gruenwald, Finpoint
  • Tony Ryan, Branduin Business Support

More to be announced.

If you have missed our webinars, you can watch them now:  https://hounslowchamber.org.uk/10015
Grant funding for small and micro businesses
Hounslow Council has broadened the Discretionary Business Support Grant for small and microbusinesses who have so far not been able to benefit from funding from central government during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Discretionary Grant criteria now includes small and microbusinesses who operate on a seasonal basis or those who are not registered with Companies House.

The new application process will go live on Thursday 16 July and is expected to close at the end of July. 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. Read more here
Cabinet Question Time
As part of the Council’s efforts to reach and engage with more people, we’re holding our first ever online Cabinet Question Time on Today, 16th July, from 7pm. You can quiz Hounslow's Cabinet on matters that are important to you. Ask your live when you tune in.

For more information including how to log onto the event please visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/question-time
Borough-wide survey
The Council has launched a survey to learn about the impacts of Coronavirus on the borough. We would like to know how you and the people you live with have been affected, hear your thoughts about the future and the type of support you may need and opinions on how the Council has responded and what we could do better.

This survey is completely anonymous and you don’t have to answer every question. Your views are really important in helping us to understand the issues and will inform and influence what we do.  Complete the survey here
Face coverings mandatory in shops and supermarkets in England   (courtesy of Cabinet Office)

The government has announced that face coverings will be mandatory in shops and supermarkets from 24 July 2020.

Under the new rules, people who do not wear a face covering will face a fine of up to £100, in line with the sanction on public transport and just as with public transport, children under 11 and those with certain disabilities will be exempt.

The liability for wearing a face covering lies with the individual.

Should an individual without an exemption refuse to wear a face covering, a shop can refuse them entry and can call the police. The police have formal enforcement powers and can issue a fine. This is in line with how shops would normally manage their customers and enforcement is of course a last resort.

You can read the Health Secretary's full statement here - https://bit.ly/FaceCoveringsUpdate  - and details for how to make a face covering can be found here -  https://bit.ly/FaceCoveringCV19 .
All London buses are now taking payments after enhanced safety measures were installed across the fleet to protect drivers and customers from coronavirus. 

Customers are now required to touch in with Oyster, contactless or concessionary cards on all buses, entering through the front doors on most buses as we return to traditional front-door boarding. 

Temporary bus capacity limits have now been increased in line with the Government's latest social distancing guidance. Double-decker buses now carry up to 30 passengers, while single-deckers can carry either 11 or 14 passengers depending on their size. Signs on buses clearly mark these new passenger limits, and bus drivers can allow more passengers on board if they are travelling in household groups. 

A huge range of cleaning and hygiene measures have been introduced across the transport network to make it cleaner than ever before. This includes all regular 'touch point' areas such as poles and doors, being wiped down with strong disinfectant every day, and the use of additional hospital grade cleaning substances. 
When using public transport we ask that you follow these simple tips to help keep everyone safe:

  • Travel at quieter times, and avoid travelling during the peak times of 05:45-08:15 and 16:00-17:30
  • Wear a face covering. It is mandatory to wear one that covers your nose and mouth for the duration of your journey, including stations, unless you are exempt. The police and TfL’s enforcement officers if necessary will refuse entry, ask people to leave, issue fines or prosecute if you do not comply
  • Wash or sanitise your hands at the beginning and at the end of your journey and carry hand sanitiser with you, if you can. We have sanitiser points available across the network
  • Follow the social distancing signage and guidance in place, keeping your distance from other customers when you travel wherever possible
  • Stay alert to the latest Government advice on how to stay safe as restrictions on travel are gradually eased
  • On buses, please sit next to the window and open windows to improve ventilation

Please try walking or cycling part of your journey if you can, to make space for those who have no alternative way to travel. 

As London reopens, we want to help you make walking part of your day.

You can use our walking maps and tools to get around:


Stay alert to the latest Government advice on how to stay safe as restrictions on travel are gradually eased. If you are going out to eat, drink or shop, stay local where possible and walk if you can.

We thank you again for all your help as we work together to keep everyone safe.
COVID 19 Honours

To recognise the very exceptional contributions made in all the Communities across Great Britain during the Covid 19 pandemic a separate Honours’ system has been created. This is to show full appreciation of the wonderful work done by those who have gone over and above during the crisis to help in any way in their local Community. This is not only to recognise individuals but also organisations.

I am very much hoping that in Hounslow those who have done that significant extra amount to help those in need and hardship can be so honoured and therefore recognised. There is no date set for final nominations. Anyone can nominate a person or group (except myself). The nomination form can be found at www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19honours-nomination-forms.

If anyone might consider making a nomination and wants any advice or help do please contact me at paulandgillie@leelands.co.uk.

Paul Kennerley RD DL
Representative Deputy Lieutenant for Hounslow.
Therma-I Temperature Screening 20%off

Therma-I Temperature Screening is a cost-effective and simple temperature screener to help you keep your visitors and employees safe and demonstrate that necessary measures are taken to reduce risk.

To support the businesses associated with Hounslow Chamber of Commerce in their safe return we are offering up to 20% discount on purchases . To secure the discount please mention the code ‘ HCOC20 ’ when you get in touch or place an order.

for more information please click here
Christmas in July

For many years Hounslow Inner Wheel (a community group associated with Hounslow Rotary Club) has been packing shoeboxes with Christmas presents for disadvantaged young children in Eastern Europe. Hounslow Rotary is joining with them this year, and would appreciate any donations of items for the boxes. NO food, liquids or sweets please.

Suggested items: small safe toys and clothing like socks, undies, gloves, woolly hats etc, soaps , toothbrushes, face cloths, other stationery like erasers, 6” rulers , smallish colouring books etc and empty shoe boxes. Plus we need to find donations of £5 per box for their transportation costs to get them delivered in time for Christmas. Any surplus items will be donated to local Hounslow groups.

If you have anything to donate please contact Hounslow Rotary to arrange collection.
Good News:
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.

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