Welcome to the latest edition of our South and Vale Business Support newsletter!

We have now received the guidance for the Government's new 'Restart Grant' and our business rates team are now working hard to create a smooth application process.

The grant will shortly be available for businesses in the non-essential retail, hospitality, leisure, personal care and accommodation sectors in England. The grant will be limited to businesses that are registered for business rates (more details on eligibility can be found via the above link).

The council will be in touch with eligible businesses as soon as we can, but it is important to clarify that the scheme will not open for applications until April. We will offer an update via the SVBS newsletter once the scheme has been finalised.

In the meantime, please find details of all currently active grant schemes here.

We understand that South and Vale based businesses are in need of further support as we begin to recover from the pandemic.

Please note that we are still awaiting information from Government in relation to future funding for the Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG). 

Once we have the received the Government FAQs for this scheme, we will be able to offer an update via our newsletter.

The second round of the South and Vale Additional Restrictions Grant schemes (ARG) close for applications at midday on 31 March 2021.

The funding has been introduced to support those who are ineligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (for closed businesses) and other support schemes related to business rates.

The scheme provides a one-off payment of £3,000 to all eligible businesses. Find out more about the eligibility requirements for the scheme here.

* Please do not reapply for funding if you have already been awarded a grant under round two of the ARG scheme.
Meanwhile in Oxfordshire...

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have teamed up with Makespace Oxford to launch a new £1.7m project that will revitalise vacant shops across Oxfordshire.

Named ‘Meanwhile in Oxfordshire…’, the project aims to transform boarded up streets and empty shops into vibrant places for artists, makers, independent retailers and purpose-driven community organisations. Some buildings will form community hubs, bringing together a range of organisations spanning different sectors all under one roof.

We’re working to identify vacant buildings and establish short-term leases with owners in urban centres most impacted by the pandemic. Leases will range from very short term ‘pop-ups’ to multi-year arrangements, revitalising buildings awaiting longer term redevelopment.

Find out how you can get involved on our website.
You can now view our recent webinar 'From flustered to financially confident - how to make your numbers work for you' on YouTube.

The webinar was hosted by Graham Ballantyne, Director of UK Business Mentoring Group. Please find a brief description of the event below:

We know that financial tasks and business accounts can often be cast to one side, but it's now more important than ever to focus on your business numbers as we emerge out of lockdown. These will be a huge part of your road to recovery.

Topics covered include:

• Top tips for managing cash and working capital

• Get to grips with a free personalised dashboard...

Watch the webinar recording here.

Agents' summary of business conditions – 2021 Q1

Activate Learning - Free Course Fridays!

Review into increased sustainability at Milton Park

WEBINARS: Considerations for reopening a Licensed Premises

Register to order free rapid lateral flow coronavirus tests for your employees

OxFutures funding opportunity for low carbon innovations

Tech Nation Report 2021: Lifting the lid on how UK tech boomed in 2020

Check out OxLEP's Go-Create Grants

Brexit: UK delays border checks on EU goods into Great Britain

Abingdon’s multi-storey to be reserved for vaccination parking

Brexit Transition: Moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland 

Mon 29 Mar: Reopening and Recovery: Premises licence conditions and restrictions

Tue 30 Mar: How to manage growth - Taking on employees

Wed 31 Mar: The Future of Work: Technology

Wed 31 Mar: How To Find Your Unique Selling Point

Wed 31 Mar: Reopening and Recovery - Business support, Marketing and pivoting

Thur 1 Apr: Thame Virtual Business Buzz

Wed 14 Apr: Sales Skills For Beginners

Wed 21 Apr: Wallingford Virtual Business Buzz

Thur 22 Apr: Abingdon Virtual Business Buzz

Find out more by reading the Business and Innovation Strategy Action Plans 
on our SVBS website.

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To find out more about how the council holds, uses and stores your personal data, please click on the appropriate council’s link:


South Oxfordshire District Council   |  Vale of White Horse District Council
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