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Business and Economy

New temporary pavement licence to support Sefton Businesses

11 August 2020
Bridie Finnan
No comments
Categories: Business and Economy, Front Page, Latest News

Sefton Council appreciates that the hospitality sector has been particularly hard hit by the restrictions put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As businesses are now starting to re-open, due to limited space and to implement the Government’s social distancing measures, many cafes, restaurants and bars may wish to use outdoor seating areas to allow customers to safely sit and eat and drink 

The council have adopted a new temporary pavement licence process, a streamlined consent route to allow businesses to obtain a licence to place temporary furniture, such as tables and chairs, outside cafes, bars and restaurants quickly and for a fee of no more than £100.00.

The temporary measures can be extended up to the end of September 2021, with no requirement for planning permission during this period. The measures also provide automatic extensions to the terms of on-sales alcohol licences to allow for off-sales.

Cllr John Fairclough, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Locality Services said: In response to new Government legislation, the council have adopted a Pavement Café Policy to Support local businesses as they recover from this Pandemic. 

“These new ‘pavement licences’ will allow businesses selling food and drink to obtain permission to place tables and chairs on the public highway outside their premises, whilst still having regards for all users of the highway, especially those with disabilities. 

“These measures will help ease some of the legislative requirements concerning planning and licensing, while social distancing guidelines remain in place.

“It’s important we can support Sefton businesses as we want our high street to bounce back from the effects Coronavirus. 

For more information on the application and how to apply visit: www.sefton.gov.uk/parking,-roads-travel/temporary-pavement-licence.aspx

Government guidance (Business and Planning Bill 2020).

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pavement-licences-draft-guidance

 

Information to help Sefton businesses report and manage COVID-19

6 August 2020
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Business and Economy, Front Page, Latest News

Sefton Council is reminding the Borough’s businesses that Action Cards containing information about how to report and manage a potential COVID-19 outbreak are now available online.

The Action Cards guide business owners and managers through the three steps of how to Identify, Report and Respond and are specific to each type of business or location. They have been designed to be printed or downloaded for businesses and organisations to keep on-hand and can be found at

Advice about identifying a COVID-19 outbreak, reporting it and working with the local Health Protection Team to manage the response is included in the Action Cards, which can be found at www.sefton.gov.uk/action-cards.

Developed by the NHS Test and Trace service, the online guides provide specific advice for a wide range of business and venue types. The business types and locations covered so far are:

  • Arts Heritage & Cultural venues
  • Campsites & Caravan Parks
  • Cinemas, Theatres and Comedy & Music venues
  • Construction and other outdoor work
  • Domestic Abuse refuges
  • Dress fitter, Tailors and Fashion Designers
  • Entertainment and Holiday Resorts
  • Hairdressing, Barbershops and Beauty & Nail salons
  • Homelessness and Rough Sleeping accommodation
  • Hotels and other guest accommodation
  • Manufacturing of food and other Large Processing Plants
  • Places of worship
  • Restaurants, Pubs, Bars, Cafes and Takeaways
  • Shops and branches
  • Spas, Sports & Massage Therapy and Wellbeing
  • Tourist attractions

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills said: “I have been pleased to see businesses across the Borough being able to re-open and start to get back on their feet but I know it is not easy for them to know just how to implement the complicated but vital guidelines designed to keep employees and customers safe or what to do if they suspect an outbreak.

“These Action Cards which are available on the Council’s website are tailored to meet the circumstances of a wide range of businesses and organisations and provide step-by-step instructions that explain where to get help and support to contain an outbreak should one occur.”

The Action cards also contain general guidelines about prevent the spread of COVID-19, what information a local Health Protection Team may require. They also suggest the types of measures that may have to be put in place, such as enhanced hygiene, handwashing and cleaning regimes, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), rapid testing and tracing and the reduced use of shared spaces.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said: “Although businesses and other locations are opening up again, coronavirus is still very much with us and it is important that they report any signs of an outbreak as soon as possible and work with local health teams to prevent it spreading and endangering vulnerable members of the community.

“These Action Cards are a useful tool to help them do that.”

Find out more.  

Grant funding support for Sefton Businesses

5 August 2020
Bridie Finnan
No comments
Categories: Business and Economy, Front Page, Latest News, Uncategorized

Council has started preparations to close its grant schemes to business. This follows the Government’s announcement to close all local authority grant support funds on 30th September. The schemes are part of the wider government business support response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The final date to submit an application for a Small Business Grant or a Retail, Leisure & Hospitality Grants will be 16th August 2020. Businesses can apply online at https://forms.sefton.gov.uk/covid19businessform/

In a final call to help support businesses the Council is reopening its Discretionary Business Grant Fund. The fund has already paid out over ÂŁ1.3 m to businesses and a short application window will be made available to support struggling Sefton businesses who have fixed property costs that can be evidenced by a commercial lease, commercial rent or commercial mortgage agreement or other commercial property related costs such as business insurance.

The fund is open on a first come first serve basis to new applications from the 3rd August with the window closing at 11am on 26th August or until all funds are exhausted. This is to allow time to ensure all approved payments can be met by the Government deadline

The Government has asked local authorities to give priority to groups of small businesses that were unable to access the Small Business Grant and Retail, Leisure and Hospitality grant schemes. These include charities in receipt of charity rate relief, B&Bs which pay council tax, businesses in shared workspaces and regular market traders. Other small businesses, not in these highlighted groups, will also be welcome to apply where eligibility is met.

The Council has extended the scheme to certain businesses operating in commercial premises who have a rateable value of ÂŁ51,000 or a commercial rental or mortgage agreement which is more than ÂŁ51,000. (businesses who employ more than 50 staff are ineligible, as well as large national chains or their subsidiaries).

To support the grant process, rigorous checks are being undertaken to ensure businesses meet the eligibility criteria.  Applicants are urged to read the application guidance before applying and to ensure they provide all the required supporting information to avoid unnecessary delays with approval.

Businesses can apply online at https://www.sefton.gov.uk/business/business-rates/covid-19-business-support-for-202021.aspx

Vision for a world-class theatre and conference centre in Southport revealed

17 July 2020
Jo Dwyer
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Categories: Business and Economy, Front Page, Latest News, Southport, Southport Town Deal, Your Sefton

Vision for a world-class theatre and conference centre revealed

New state-of-the-art venue planned to replace Southport Theatre and Convention Centre

 Sefton Council has today (17 July 2020) released plans outlining its ambitious vision for a brand new world-class theatre and conference centre on Southport waterfront.  The new state-of-the-art venue would sit on the edge of Marine Lake and replace the current Southport Theatre and Convention Centre.

CGI of how the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre could look

 

The waterfront is a key area in the town and an important part of what makes Southport an all-year round destination for visitors, with its further potential as part of a comprehensive redevelopment also recognised.  The plans for a new theatre and conference centre highlight Sefton Council’s commitment to investing in the future of Southport as a leading destination.

Cllr Ian Maher, Labour Leader at Sefton Council, says, “This project is a real game changer for Southport and The City Region and showcases a bright future for the town.  We understand the valuable role that having a theatre and conference centre plays and we want to ensure that Southport is on the map for having one of the best in the region, if not the whole county.

“This site offers a stunning location so, if we can match this with world-class facilities, we’ll be able to ensure that national and regional conferences visit Southport as well as giving us the opportunity to secure leading theatre shows; all of which bring additional investment and footfall into the town.  Having such an ambitious project in our sights is also an important part of how we’ll be trying to achieve an uplift for the local economy, as we all work in partnership to overcome the impact of Covid-19.  Furthermore, the new venue will play an instrumental and leading part in the wider regeneration of the waterfront area.”

A feasibility and design study has been commissioned for the new theatre and conference centre by Sefton Council as part of its commitment to investment and growth within the Borough.  The study evaluates a range of options including minor renovation works, as well as the ambitious vision, which may comprise either a full new build, or partial new build with retention of the Floral Hall. The work is being led by IPW who are experts in venues and facilities and supported by global architects HOK.

CGI of the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre from Marine Way Bridge

Southport’s Town Deal Board is supportive of the project, which could be integral to the Southport Town Deal bid.  The Town Deal centres on bringing into reality the master plan that has been created for Southport, which is being led by Southport Town Deal Board; made up of public and private industry leaders.  Later this year a bid of up to £25million will be made to central Government to support the delivery of this master plan. While consultation on the specific project will take place in due course, residents are encouraged to share their early perspectives, including on the range of options above, via the Town Deal consultation process at: https://yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk/futuresouthport/

The existing Southport Theatre and Convention Centre remains closed at the moment due to the Government guidance for all theatres following the Covid-19 outbreak across the UK.  The previous operator, Bliss Space (Southport) Ltd, went into liquidation in May.  However, Sefton Council is committed to the venue in the short term as well as the long term, and will reopen the site when it is safe and viable to do so.  Further work to finalise the exciting plans for the new theatre and conference centre in more detail will take place over the summer.

CGI of the Lakeside

Sefton Reopens – A guide to safe reopening of businesses

12 June 2020
Jo Dwyer
No comments
Categories: Business and Economy, Front Page, Latest News

As Sefton begins to open as Covid-19 is brought under control we will start to welcome our customers and staff back. We have produced a guide to help you create a safe, secure and sustainable reopening and recovery period.

This guide will focus on:

  • Government & Industry Guidance on Safely Reopening Businesses
  • Guidelines on Safe Reopening
  • Recommendations for our Businesses

This will help you create a safe and sustainable return for Sefton businesses, residents and visitors. Click on the image below to download your guide.

 

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