Workshops for the retail and hospitality sector – preparing to open up

The “Wales. A Food Destination” team organise events throughout the year aimed at helping retail and hospitality businesses upskill across a range of different areas. Following on from the success of the March masterclass workshops further courses are being offered throughout April to highlight the benefits of sourcing, serving and selling Welsh food and drink in a post-Covid world. For further information please follow the link below: https://www.foodskills.cymru/wales-a-food-destination/wafd-events/workshops-and-masterclasses-april 210401-WFD-Workshop_ENG_MasterclassDownload 210401-WFD-Workshop_WEL_MasterclassDownload

UK Gigabit Voucher Scheme

DCMS has launched their new UK Gigabit Voucher scheme. It provides grants of up to £1500 per household or £3500 per business in hard to reach rural areas To qualify for a business voucher you will be asked to self-certify that you are a Small or Medium size Enterprise (SME) – Up to 249 employees and annual turnover no greater than £36 million; and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding £18 million.

COVID-19 restriction relaxations in Wales brought forward

The Welsh Government will be accelerating elements of its programme to relax COVID-19 restrictions as cases of new infections continue to fall across Wales. From Monday 3 May, a week earlier than previously signalled, gyms, leisure centres and fitness facilities will be able to reopen for individual or one-to-one training. Extended households will also be allowed again, enabling two households to meet and have contact indoors. From Monday 12 April, the following relaxations will go ahead: The full return of children to schools for face-to-face education, all post-16 learners will return to further education and training centres, and university campus’ will be able to open for blended face-to-face/online learning for […]

Pen-y-Pass Parking

From April 8th the Snowdonia National Park Authority will be using a pre-book system for parking at Pen y Pass. Please remember that space are limited and therefore tickets are likely to sell out very quickly. Only ticket holders will be able to gain access to the car park after this date. *Travelling in and out of Wales for leisure purposes is still not possible. This restriction is in place until April 12 (subject to the public health situation). https://www.justpark.com/uk/parking/caernarfon/s/llanberis-caernarfon-ll55-4nu/

Cultural Recovery Fund Phase 2 grant

Applications for the Cultural Recovery Fund Phase 2 are now open and will close on the 20 April 2021 at 5pm. The timing for the Fund for freelancers will be announced separately. The funding is to cover the period from 1 April 2021 to 30 September 2021. Use the Eligibility Checker now to review the criteria prior to applying. https://fundchecker.businesswales.gov.wales/culturep2

Moving Wales into Alert Level 3: First Minister sets out plans to further relax COVID restrictions

The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, is today setting out a series of measures that will take Wales fully into Alert Level 3 by 17th May, subject to public health conditions remaining favourable. Should public health conditions remain favourable, from Monday 12th April, the following relaxations can go ahead:  The full return of children to schools for face-to-face education, all post-16 learners will return to further education and training centres, and university campus’ will be able to open for blended face-to-face/online learning for all students; All remaining shops can reopen, completing the phased reopening of non-essential retail; All remaining close contact services can open, including mobile services; Travel restrictions on traveling into and […]

Go North Wales Tourism April Trade News

We appreciate that it remains to be an extremely difficult, worrying and complex time for many businesses and individuals across North Wales with the COVID-19 pandemic but please remember that we are here to support you. We continue to monitor the circumstances as they are developing and also continue to engage with MPs and MSs, lobbying on issues on your behalf and making sure your voice is heard. We’ve also continued to carry out activities in preparation to when restrictions are lifted through: Attendance at Virtual Exhibitions and Trade Shows,Organising of webinars covering topics on marketing and digital, customer care, revenue management;Lobbying on issues affecting the industryConducting Press and PR […]

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme fourth grant

The fourth grant will be available from late April 2021 until 31 May 2021. If you are eligible, HMRC will contact you in mid-April to give you your personal claim date. This will be the date that you can make your claim from. More information is available on the link below https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/self-employment-income-support-scheme-grant-extension/self-employment-income-support-scheme-grant-extension

Cultural Recovery Fund Grant

The aim of this second phase of funding is to protect sustainable cultural sector businesses and organisations and as many jobs in the sector as possible. The sector includes theatres, music venues, recording and rehearsal spaces, heritage attractions, heritage organisations, museums, libraries, galleries, archives, independent cinemas, comedy venues and events. The funding is to cover the period from 1 April 2021 to 30 September 2021. The Fund will be open for applications from the week beginning 6 April and close on the 20 April. The timing for the Fund for freelancers will be announced separately. Use the eligibility checker – https://fundchecker.businesswales.gov.wales/culturep2

Revenue Management

Andrea Knox from Knox Commercial & Insolvency Solicitors and Jeremy Salisbury from Salisburys Chartered Accountant recently hosted a webinar on Revenue Management as part of its second session of Re-igniting the North Wales Visitor Economy series of events. During the session, areas covered included Cash Flow Management – debtor management and avoiding bad debts in the first place. You can now view the recording of the webinar here Contact Details for the speakers: Andrea Knox, Knox Commercial & Insolvency SolicitorsTel: 03330093274Email: andrea.knox@knoxcommercial.co.uk Jeremy Salisburys, Salisburys Chartered AccountantsTel: 01745 583 606Email: profit@salisburys.com