See our very own Sally Smith on BBC London News discussing the impact of Covid-19.
Click here to see
A testimonial from Matilda Goes, Director at Spa de Sal:

"Thank you for the e-newsletters which are always relevant and informative. I have managed to take advantage of business mentoring, business training and now have applied for funding through the London Mayor’s Pay it Forward scheme. All this through the information you have provided."
Webinars - all are free, run for 60 minutes:
Clean Air Day - 8th October - 10:00am

Panelists include:
  • Cllr Katherine Dunne - Cabinet member for Communities, Climate Change, Hounslow Council
  • Jane Wiest – Parcels not Pollution
  • John Rayment - GWR Kia
  • Matthew Kamau – TfL
More to be announced

Road traffic congestion in outer London is now higher that it was last year. The city of London is deserted but outside the congestion zone, it is on the increase. People are preferring to use their cars rather than public transport. In London cycling is up by 120%, but will this remain now that autumn is setting in? Please come along to our Clean Air webinar on 8th October to learn more what you and your business can do to improve the air pollution in Hounslow from encouraging employees to use active travel, using cleaner motor vehicles, improving indoor air quality as well as reducing your emissions footprint.  All of which will not only benefit the local environment but also improve your businesses sustainability credentials.


If you have missed our webinars, you can watch them now: https://hounslowchamber.org.uk/10015
New Package of Measures (courtesy of Cabinet Office)

The Chancellor has yesterday announced a package of measures that will continue to protect jobs and help businesses through the uncertain months ahead as we continue to tackle the spread of the virus. 
 
The package includes a new Jobs Support Scheme to protect millions of returning workers, extending the Self Employment Income Support Scheme and 15% VAT cut for the hospitality and tourism sectors, and help for businesses in repaying government-backed loans.
 
Further information:
New government measures to address rising cases of coronavirus (courtesy of Hounslow Council)
What are the new rules?

Face Coverings:
  • Customers in private hire vehicles and taxis must wear face coverings (from 23 September).
  • Customers in hospitality venues must wear face coverings, except when seated at a table to eat or drink. Staff in hospitality and retail will now also be required to wear face coverings (from 24 September).
  • People who are already exempt from the existing face covering obligations, such as because of an underlying health condition, will continue to be exempt from these new obligations.
  • Guidance stating that face coverings and visors should be worn in close contact services will now become law (from 24 September).
  • Staff working on public transport and taxi drivers will continue to be advised to wear face coverings.

Work and businesses: 
  • You should work from home again if possible or continue to do so.
  • From 24 September, all hospitality venues must be closed between 10pm and 5am. This will include takeaways, but delivery services can continue after 10pm.
  • Premises selling food and drink are restricted to table service (from 24 September). 
  • Businesses will need to display the official NHS QR code posters so that customers can ‘check-in’ at different premises using this option as an alternative to providing their contact details. The app will be rolled out nationally from 24 September.
  • Businesses and organisations will face stricter rules to make their premises Covid secure (from 28 September):
  • A wider range of leisure and entertainment venues, services provided in community centres, and close contact services will be subject to the Covid-19 secure requirements in law with fines of up to £10,000 for repeated breaches.
  • Employers must not knowingly require or encourage someone who is being required to self-isolate to come to work.
  • Businesses must remind people to wear face coverings where required by law.

Meeting people safely: 
  • Support groups must be limited to a maximum of 15 people (from 24 September).
  • Indoor organised sport for over 18s will no longer be exempt from the rule of six. There is an exemption for indoor organised team sports for disabled people (from 24 September).
  • There will be a new exemption in those areas of local intervention where household mixing is not allowed to permit friends and family to provide informal childcare for children under 14 (from 24 September).
  • Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies and receptions will be restricted to a maximum of 15 people (down from 30). Other significant standalone life events will be subject to the ‘rule of six’ limits, except funerals (from 28 September).
  • The planned return of spectators to sports venues will now not go ahead from 1 October.

New Covid-19 measures (courtesy of London Council)

 
The new national restrictions are:

  1. Office workers who can work from home are being asked to do so.
  2. From Thursday, all pubs, bars and restaurants must operate table-service only, except for takeaways.
  3. All hospitality venues must close at 10pm.
  4. More people must wear face coverings - staff working in retail; all users of taxis and private hire vehicles; and staff and customers in indoor hospitality venues - except when seated at tables to eat or drink.
  5. In retail, leisure, tourism and other sectors, government’s Covid-secure guidelines will become legal obligations.
  6. From Monday, a maximum of 15 people will be able to attend wedding ceremonies and receptions.
  7. The rule of six is being extended to all adult indoor team sports.
  8. Business conferences, exhibitions and large sporting events will not be able to reopen from 1 October.
  9. Stronger penalties for failing to adhere to government restrictions: a fine of up to £10,000 for businesses that break the rules and the penalty for failing to wear a mask or breaking the rule of six will now double to £200 for a first offence.
 
The Group Leaders of London Councils met with the Mayor of London and Professor Kevin Fenton, London regional director for Public Heath England, on Monday to examine the most recent data on Covid-19 infection rates in London.
 
The meeting agreed to ask the government to consider a range of potential measures to slow the spread of the virus and save Londoners lives.
 
This includes some new restrictions similar to those introduced in the north west and north east of England. London local government will be asking the government consider these as soon as possible to keep London safe
 
Should any additional measures be applied to London, these will be announced separately.
EVENT: Breathing Clean During COVID-19 series -
London Business for Clean Air

As businesses in the capital see staff and customers return to offices, shops and restaurants, it’s never been more important for London streets to have clean air. In the lead up to Clean Air Day 2020, join other businesses at 3pm on 28th September 2020 to find out why and how your company can help the community stay safe, breathe easier and reduce emissions.
In this topical and informative event for London businesses, hear from both the city’s biggest businesses and most exciting start-ups offering solutions about the benefits of ‘thinking clean air’ for improved health and wellbeing, employee and customer engagement and corporate sustainability.

Speakers:
  • Global Action Plan: Larissa Lockwood – Director of Clean Air
  • British Land: Roger Madelin - Head of Canada Water Development
  • Pedal Me: Christopher Dixon - Co-Founder 
  • Arup: James Bellinger - Senior Air Quality Consultant

Register on Eventbrite here.
Please click here for the latest updates on all your HR needs.
Now autumn is upon us, I can think of no better place to spend a night/weekend or even just brunch at the Richmond Hill Hotel. A country house hotel on the edge of London. Please click here for all their special offers.
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