COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – Support for Businesses and Employers

Here at London Business Hub, we understand the impact that COVID-19 can have on all aspects of your business.

To help you through, we’ve launched a series of free, dedicated webinars delivered by expert speakers that have been carefully designed to answer your questions and to help guide London’s small businesses through the many challenges presented by COVID-19. We have also brought together a range of resources and information to help you through these difficult times and to help you find the right support.

Hot Topic: Managing COVID in the Workplace

‘Long COVID’ is an informal term that is commonly used to describe signs and symptoms that continue or develop after an infection of COVID. There are a number of resources to help businesses and employees manage the impacts of Long COVID, including:

  • Your COVID Recovery provides advice on returning to work for employees.
  • The Society of Occupational Medicine provides resources on topics including returning to work for recovering workers, advice for managers and solutions for employers.
  • Acas has published Long COVID advice for employers and employees covering topics such as managing sick leave and returning to work.

As a result of stressful and uncertain times that coronavirus has presented, the need to consider the mental wellbeing of you and your employees has never been more important.

Our guides include information on business support and the latest guidance to help you manage this, by signposting the best resources to help you manage this important issue during the crisis.

Drawing upon resources from the NHS, Mind and other recognised bodies and organisations, our guides will help you navigate the support that is available as well as detailing preventative techniques that individuals use to manage their mental health.

The Mayor of London has published a series of guides to help support the wellbeing of businesses and employees:

Visit our Health & Wellbeing Hub

Returning to the office and hybrid working

COVID-19 and the shift to remote working are also encouraging businesses to think about their office needs and how to best use their space. As a result, more employers are considering hybrid working options, which involve a combination of remote and office working.

London Business Hub has brought together an overview of hybrid working models, as well as some practical tips to help you keep your workplace safe and secure.

Find out more

Resources and support

Boosting Community Business London

Boosting Community Business London is a new pilot scheme to grow high streets and civic centers.

Delivered by community business champions Power to Change and Cooperatives UK and supported by the Mayor of  London, the new fund will help local groups to set up and grow a community business. It will also support existing community businesses looking to run a community share offer.

Find out more

Specialist support

The following London Business Hub pages provide advice and information to help businesses and the self-employed:

Recovery Loan Scheme

The Recovery Loan Scheme, which originally launched in April 2021 to help businesses recovering from the pandemic, has been extended to 2024.

The Recovery Loan Scheme is currently open to businesses of any size to support them to access loans and other kinds of finance so they can recover after the pandemic and transition period.

Up to £10 million is available per business. The actual amount offered and the terms are at the discretion of participating lenders. The government guarantees 80% of the finance to the lender. As the borrower, you are always 100% liable for the debt.

Loans are available through a network of accredited lenders, listed on the British Business Bank’s website.

Guidance 

The Government has published guidance on how to reduce the spread of respiratory infections, including Covid-19, in the workplace.

Related Resources