Just received the following update, outlining support for Birmingham businesses affected by the riots:

(Apologies for the formatting)

“20th September 2011

BULLETIN 5 – SUPPORT FOR BIRMINGHAM BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY THE DISTURBANCES

Please note that time is now running out for applications for support via the High street Support Scheme.  Please act quickly.

We can now announce some further assistance that businesses can apply for through the High Street Support Scheme:

Security Improvement Scheme (SIS) Grant

The Security improvement Scheme (SIS) is open to any small medium sized enterprise (SME) business based within the areas that were affected by civil disorder after 6^th August 2011:  City Centre, Aston, Newtown, Handsworth, Lozells, Perry Barr and Winson Green

 The criteria to meet to be classed as an SME are:

• Fewer than 250 employees worldwide
• Turnover below £ 11.2 million per annum

• Must be independent (or franchise)

 

The SIS grant is specifically to assist towards project costs for new or upgraded:

 

-               CCTV

-               Shutters

-               Alarm Systems

-               Other relevant security measures

 

The level of grant funding awarded is 75% of eligible project expenditure up to a maximum of £5,000.  To receive the maximum allowable grant, therefore, project costs should total at least £6,125.

 

Grant payments are issued as a reimbursement of eligible expenditure by the business and will only be paid on production of relevant evidence.  Therefore all approved grants MUST be spent and claimed by the 28^th October 2011.

 

Application forms for this scheme can be found on our website via www.birmingham.gov.uk/businessrecovery  and applications must be submitted by 14^th October 2011.

 

 

Business Recovery Advice Initiative

Again, this initiative is open to any SME businesses in the areas listed above for the SIS grant.

We are organising 4 drop-in sessions which businesses can attend to gain advice from specialist business advisors on business plans, marketing strategies and access to finance with a view to developing a strategy to recover from the effects of the disturbances.  Businesses can then decide whether they want to benefit from up to 2 days worth of further input from an advisor on a one-to-one basis to fully develop a plan.

The drop-in sessions are as follows:

 

Monday 3^rd October             Handsworth Community Fire Station                   2pm-7pm

41 Rookery Road, Handsworth, Birmingham,

B21 9QU                   

 

Tuesday 4^th October            ACRC                                                                                    2pm-7pm

                                                339 Dudley Road, Winson Green,

B18 4HB

 

Wednesday 5^th October      Venue in Aston to be confirmed*                          2pm-7pm

 

 

Thursday 6^th October           Ibis Arcadian Hotel, Ladywell Walk                      2pm-7pm

 

*once confirmed, we will publish the venue on our web page and through Bulletin 6

We are still accepting applications for the Financial Recovery Fund, which now has a new element to it.

To be eligible for this grant, businesses must carry insurance.  Losses relating to damage & looting which are not covered by insurance (including insurance excess) can be claimed, along with exceptional business costs directly related to the disturbances. 

New element:  where a business is experiencing delays in receiving payment from insurers and is struggling to manage its cash flow, consideration will be given to offering a one-off grant to help the business to continue trading whilst waiting for a settlement.  The business case for this request will need to be set out in the application form and related evidence (e.g. recent bank account showing cash position & overdraft facility).  Those who have already applied for support under this scheme do not need to re-apply, but will need to submit the business case and supporting evidence to apply for this grant.”