About Eirlys Jones

Eirlys is the Commercial Director at North Wales Tourism and can be contacted at eirlys.jones@gonorthwales.org.uk or connect with her on LinkedIn you can also follow her on Twitter @EirlysJones5

New Finance Package announced

The First Minister announced an additional £300m package of financial support to assist businesses thoughout the 2 week period. Every business covered by the small business rates relief will get a £1,000 payment. Small and medium-sized retail, leisure and hospitality businesses which have to close will receive a one-off payment of up to £5,000. Both will be paid via your Local authority There will also be additional discretionary grants and support for smaller businesses, which are struggling. More information to follow. The First Minister also said he has written to the Chancellor to ask him to give Welsh businesses early access to the new expanded Job Support Scheme from Friday. […]

Fire break lockdown announced

Wales will go into a national lockdown from 6pm Friday 23 October until 9 November, First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced Everyone will be required to stay at home – working from home wherever possible – only exceptions will be critical workers and where working from home is simply not possible. This includes the closure of all hospitality businesses (apart from takeaways), libraries, community centres and recycling centres and non essential retail etc. Places of worship will be closed for normal services, except for funerals and weddings. Primary schools will reopen after the half term break, but only Years Seven and Eight in secondary schools will return at that time. […]

Wales to introduce travel restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus

Under new regulations being prepared by Welsh Ministers, people living in areas with a high-prevalence of coronavirus in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland would not be able to travel to Wales for the time being. They will help prevent the virus moving from such high-prevalence areas to lower-prevalence communities. The new restrictions are planned to come into force on Friday October 16 at 6pm. https://gov.wales/wales-to-introduce-travel-restrictions-to-prevent-the-spread-of-coronavirus

Local Lockdown Business Fund

This is a fund to provide financial assistance for businesses that are facing operational and financial challenges caused by the local restrictions imposed in their local authority area as a result of COVID-19. The purpose of the fund is to support businesses with cash flow support to help them survive the economic consequences of the local restrictions put in place in their local authority area.  Eligible businesses will be able to apply for this fund when their local authority has been in lockdown for 28 days. https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/local-lockdown-business-fund Local-Lockdown-Non-Domestic-Rate-Grant-Guidance-ENGDownload Local-Lockdown-Discretionary-Grant-Guidance-ENG_0Download

North Wales Growth Deal – Private Sector Stakeholder session

Wednesday 4th November 2020, 1-4pm Private Sector Stakeholder session (online) on the North Wales Growth Deal, organised by the NWMD Business Council in partnership with the North Wales Economic Ambition Board. Session includes project presentations within the developing North Wales Growth Deal and Q&A with the Growth Deal team. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/north-wales-growth-deal-private-sector-stakeholder-session-tickets-124549409637