Support for Businesses

Many businesses are currently feeling the impact of COVID-19. However, there are some great resources available to help you boost your business' resilience in these uncertain times. If you are unsure whether your business can remain open, a full list of premises that must close and those that can stay open can be found here.

If you need  financial support and advice regarding the impacts of coronavirus, business grants, support for the self-employed and impact monitoring follow the links to your local council websites: Hackney, Islington and Tower Hamlets.

London Growth Hub provides extensive guidance for businesses and has created a useful checklist for businesses to use to help mitigate the effects of the pandemic. 

• Advice for employers

• Managing existing commercial contracts

• Government support for business

• Looking after your mental health

• Lease obligations and lease reviews

• How to engage in discussions with your landlord

• Rent reviews

• How to negotiate a rent holiday

• The Self-employment Income Support Scheme

• Business and continuity planning

• Directors, insolvency and personal liability

• Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and furloughing employees

• Frequently asked questions about managing your business during the outbreak

• Frequently asked questions about financial support

• Applying for COVID-19 small business grant schemes in London

Businesses can also book a one hour call with one of their Business Advisers to help navigate the support that is available to SMEs in London.

Echo's guide to surviving and thriving contains some helpful resources covering support for employees, employers, freelancers, small businesses and maintaining wellbeing.

If you are still up and running but finding it hard to get your message out and reach new customers who need your services you can sign up to the Local Buyers Club who have set up a virtual neighbourhood to help local businesses and residents connect during the lockdown period.

At the Zero Emissions Network we have been supporting businesses by continuing to offer our free initiatives such as free cargo bike trials. If you are a member of the Zero Emissions Network you can also benefit from offers and discounts from other organisations in the network. See what offers are available to you here. If you would like to promote your business through the Zero Emissions Network please contact us at zen@hackney.gov.uk