| Clwydian Range Tourism Group |
A Message from Clwydian Range Tourism GroupIn these unprecedented times it is more important than ever for our members to be supported and support each other. CRTG is in regular contact with Visit Wales, Wales Tourism Alliance, Business Wales and with Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham Councils to gain the latest information and understanding of developments which will impact our industry. As the impact of Coronavirus increases, CRTG wants to demonstrate their commitment to their members and provide avenues of support where possible. This page intends to serve as a hub for our members. We have found there is a wealth of information out there, but it is across several organisations and websites and the information is regularly changing. We hope that by hosting all useful information in one place, our members have a place to come and find what they need. We appreciate that many of our members, their businesses and livelihoods will be deeply impacted by Covid-19 alongside many others in the tourism industry. Therefore we have made the decision to make our resources page accessible to the public. We are currently working to see how best we can support our members moving forward also. We hope the information shared here reaches other tourism businesses in the local region, not just our valued members and that you find the information here useful. Please contact us by emailing membership@crtgmembers.co.uk should you need anything else. If you haven't already, please join our Facebook Group too and make sure you are signed up to our newsletter | Latest updatesThank you to all those who took part in our CRTG Covid-19 Tourism Impact Survey. Our findings are now available for you to read. Important: Welsh Government has announced measures to 'unlock Wales' and this includes opening some non-essential retail shops from 22nd June. In addition to this, a re-opening for businesses in the tourism industry who can offer self-contained accommodation may be possible from July. This is next being reviewed on 9th July. Click below for the current information: Government guidance for re-opening
Visit Wales and Visit Britain have launched the' 'We’re Good To Go/Barod Amdani' scheme. It is a free accreditation scheme for all tourism and events businesses to give customer confidence that you are Covid-aware - you do not have to be VW accredited to apply. Please sign up below: Support forumWe have created a discussion forum for our members to discuss anything Covid-19 related.
|
Member Experience
Board member Vanessa has a seasonal touring site and hosts combat games in Halkyn. We thought sharing her recent experience may prove relatable and reassuring to other board members:
"We were really shocked the last weekend we were open. It was like a bank holiday weekend. Everyone came including those I know have underlying health issues. Children were playing with each other and I couldn’t keep up with sanitising the door handles and surfaces in the shower block. It came as little shock when the police came on Monday morning to ask us to close. The official announcement hadn’t happened yet but they were brilliantly offering us support to encourage and enforce (if necessary) our closure.
We had little resistance as the message about isolation was getting through. I had a few enquiries about payments and as combat games had ended we suddenly realised the financial implications of the lockdown.
A few days later I did some projections for what would happen financially depending on the length of time we are closed, it scared me to death. It was a real low moment and I messaged a fellow CRTG member who I knew would understand. We talked for ages and although it didn’t actually change anything I came out of that conversation a little lighter and with a great plan.
Since then two of our caravaners tested positive for the virus, one ended up in hospital. My best friend was poorly with it. We had the two young children at home and motivation to be productive went up but mainly down. Thankfully all are recovering.
I have had emails of support from Flintshire Tourism Department and links to the financial packages. I’ve applied for those I think i'm eligible for - although there’s a wait to find out. It all helps.
It is incredibly important that we reach out and try to provide support to each other. Depending on the length of the restrictions it is a real possibility that we could loose our businesses and even our home. If I could help another business owner feel like they are not alone or suggest something or guide them through the available support I would welcome that chance.
I’m also on the end of the phone if any of you need a chat. Let's pull together and strengthen our tourism community. "
Key Links We highly recommend checking the following website which will provide the most up to date advice: |
Local Council Support
Our local Councils also have set up dedicated business support pages.
Flintshire
Flintshire County Council has dedicated sections on their website for local level support, relevant business support contacts, a business support directory, business advice and self-employment advice specifically related to Covid -19.
Denbighshire
Denbighshire County Council has provided links on their website for business grants, information on rates and relief and other emergency support for businesses
Wrexham
Wrexham County Council has a dedicated section to support for businesses, rate relief, grants and contact details
Welsh Tourism Business - Financial Support
Below are links to various financial information our members may find useful:
Welsh Government Business Grants and Rate Relief
The Welsh Government has announced a £1.4bn support package for all businesses listed on the business rates register, covering Business Rate Relief and Business Grants
The Business Grant has 2 different components.
Grant 1 : For retail, leisure and hospitality businesses in Wales, a grant of £25,000 will be offered for businesses in these sectors with a rateable value of between £12,001 and £51,000.
Grant 2 : For all other sectors the Welsh Government package also provides a £10,000 grant to all businesses eligible for Small Business Rates Relief with a rateable value of £12,000 or less.
The eligibility checker for the 2nd phase of the ERF fund is now open.
New application for NDR scheme closes on 30th June
These have to be applied for at local council level. Please click on the links below:
Flintshire
Flintshire Rate Relief application
Flintshire Business Support Grant applicationDenbighshire
Denbighshire Business Rates Support Application
Wrexham
Economic resilience fund
Edit: the second phase of the ERF fund is currently open and is accepting new applications until 10th July (or until the fund is committed). Use their checker to see if you can claim here
Businesses can also benefit from a £400 million emergency pot providing:
- grants of £10,000 for micro-businesses employing up to nine people. This includes sole traders employing staff. Qualifying businesses will be able to apply by mid-April.
- grants of up to £100,000 for small and medium sized firms with between 10 and 249 employees. Qualifying businesses will be able to apply by mid-April.
Please find more information here (applications opened on the 17th April 2020)
Please also use the eligibility checker on Business Wales to see if you can apply:
Economic Resilience Fund eligibility checker tool
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
The CBILS supports small and medium-sized businesses, with an annual turnover of up to £45m, to access loans, overdrafts, invoice finance and asset finance of up to £5 million for up to six years. It's delivered through 40 commercial lenders who are backed by the British Business Bank. Apply and find a lender through the British Business Bank website:
Bounce Back Loans
The new Bounce Back Loans scheme would help bolster the existing package of support available to the smallest businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Details as follows:
-
businesses will be able to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000 and access the cash within days
-
loans will be interest free for the first 12 months, and businesses can apply online through a short and simple form
The scheme will launch for applications on Monday 4 May 2020. Firms will be able to access these loans through a network of accredited lenders.
You cannot apply if you’re already claiming under the CBILS.
Apply for Bounce Back loan here
Development Bank of Wales loan
DBoW has launched the Covid-19 Wales Business Loan Scheme. It allows businesses to apply for loans between £5,000-£250,000. It includes a 12 month capital and interest repayment holiday. No arrangement or monitoring fees. 2% interest fixed for 6 years. All Wales-based SMEs who have been trading 2 years or longer can apply. We would advise getting your application in sooner rather than later.
Info on scheme Scheme application form
Self employed income support scheme
Click here for more information and how to apply.
Other Funding
Welsh Government Start-Up Grants
Eligibile start ups can apply for a £2,500 grant if they started trading between 1 April 2019 and 1 March 2020, helping them to continue trading through the pandemic.
Applications opened on 29th June.
Salesforce & Enterprise nation are offering £5,000 grants to eligible businesses. Applications in Wales will run from 13th-19th July.
To be eligible to apply, companies must:
- Be registered at Companies House
- Been established for at least 12 months
- Have not received any other cash grant during 2020 in relation to COVID-19 from any Government
- Be based in the UK with a British bank account
- Have between 2 to 50 employees
- Meet all other eligibility requirements as stated in the grant programme terms.
For CRTG members who are employers:
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Using this scheme, UK employers will be able to access support to continue paying part of their employees’ salary for those employees that would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis. All UK businesses are eligible. To access, employers will need to designate effected employers as furloughed workers and submit this update to HMRC. After this, HMRC will reimburse 80% of furloughed workers wage costs. Find information on eligibility and how to apply below:
Extended Furlough information here
Business Wales Webinars
Business Wales is running a series of free webinar events for Welsh SMEs on their website. Click here for more information.
North Wales Tourism Webinars
NWT are hosting a 30 minute webinar on Friday 15th May at 11am on 'tourism in the Covid-19 crisis'
Other Useful Information
If you run a business or are self-employed and are concerned about paying your tax due to coronavirus, you can call HMRC’s helpline for help and advice: 0800 024 1222.
For any Flintshire based businesses being approached about hosting key workers, please email covidbusinesscompliance@flintshire.gov.uk for guidance and information
'Welcome back' for tourism - E course from Llandrillo Menai
Secure your business, secure your future with digital (13-15th July 2020)
WTA cleaning protocols for re-opening
Sign up for NWT annual trade meeting
Guidance on cleaning for re-opening from Pascuk.com
Guidance on bookings before September
Guidance on 3 month account filing extension
Guidance for holiday accommodation businesses (Welsh Government)
Business Wales launch guidance on how to deal with customers during Covid-19 restrictions
WTA interpretation of latest government guidance for accommodation providers (20/4/20)
Guidance for Holiday Park Owners and Operators
Guidance on accommodation for key workers or vulnerable
Guidance to Businesses from ABI (Association of British Insurance)
Guidance on Self employment and Universal credit (gov.uk)
Guidance for farmers, landowners and rural businesses
HMRC Advice: Destroying spoilt beer, cider, wine or made-wine during coronavirus
ABI provides guidance on common question regarding Covid-19 insurance claims
Food Innovation Wales open helpline for producers and suppliers