Additional Restrictions Grant 3 (ARG3) scheme launched 26.03.21

Date Added: 26/11/2020

We have launched our ARG3 grant to enable more businesses to apply for further support grant funding. The changes for ARG3 include:

Removing Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) recipients and company directors receiving furlough from the list of ineligible applicants. Now, applicants who receive SEISS, or company directors who have received furlough payments, can receive £2,000 if they meet the qualifying criteria.

‘Topping-up’ payments to all successful ARG1 applicants. All applicants that received an ARG payment in round 1 of our ARG scheme will receive the same payment as they did from ARG1, except those that do not operate from a rated premises. Businesses that do not operate from a rated premises will receive a payment of £2,000 rather than the £4,000 they received in ARG1. These applicants do not need to reapply for a ‘top-up’ payment as we will contact all eligible businesses to confirm that they are still trading before any payments are issued.

Businesses can apply for the ARG3 scheme via our website from 25 March until 22 April.

SME Brexit Support Fund opens for applications

If your business is trading overseas then you can apply for the SME Brexit Support Fund grant to help with the costs. The Fund could give you up to £2,000 to help with training or professional advice if your business has up to 500 employees and no more than £100 million annual turnover.

You can use the grant for training to:

help complete customs declarations;
manage customs processes and use customs software and systems;
support specific import and export related aspects including VAT, excise and rules of origin;
help you get professional advice so your business can meet its customs, excise, import VAT or safety and security declaration requirements.

Find out more about how to apply

Support for the local small business community

We have launched a free FSB membership scheme for local business owners, which provides a wide range of support, including HR, legal, financial and business advice.

More than 80 businesses have already taken up the offer. Eligible businesses that are interested should contact membership advisor, Charles Smith by email or 07801 333480.

HSE warning to businesses over bogus emails

We have been made aware by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) of a bogus email that is being circulated about HSE COVID spot checks and inspections.

The spam email comes from a non-HSE email address and the signatory is Mark J Burrows (this is not a member of HSE staff). If you receive one of these emails, please do not open attachments or click on any links and delete the email.

To assist you in identifying these, one of the characteristics that have been noted in the SPAM email is reference to a scheduled Spot Check

If you have any concerns, contact HSE.

Free Rapid COVID-19 tests available to residents and workers

Testing for COVID-19 is an important way businesses can help keep their staff and customers safe as we emerge from national restrictions. Testing is free - it's also quick, easy and you don't need to book.

You and your staff can get tested at any of the following Rapid Testing Centres up until 30 April:

Flitwick Leisure Centre, Steppingley Road, Flitwick, MK45 1TH - open 7 days a week, from 8am to 8pm.
The Dunstable Centre, Court Drive, Dunstable, LU5 4JD - open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm.
Saxon Pool and Leisure Centre, Saxon Drive, Biggleswade, SG18 8SU - will operate on a Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, from 8am to 8pm.

Businesses can register interest with the Government in setting up workplace testing on site. The deadline for registering is 31 March.

Support served on a plate!

Food and drink manufacturers in Central Bedfordshire can access a wide range of free support available to them via FEAST2 (Food Enterprise Advisory Support Team).

The project helps fund:

the purchase of production equipment;
guidance on shelf life to labelling food;
hygiene sector accreditation.

One business owner has been able to cut his seven-day working week thanks to a grant of almost £3,000, enabling him to invest in vital kitchen equipment, thereby increasing efficiency and streamlining his production.

For more details of the project, including registering your business for the free support, please contact Amanda Askew at The Mallows Company on 01933 664437.

Still time to consult on the walking and cycle routes in the area

We've received £600,000 of funding from central government to improve cycling and walking provision in three areas of Bedfordshire - Biggleswade, Cranfield and Leighton Buzzard. Have your say on improvements which closes on 28 March.

Be ambitious. Be connected. BeCentralBedfordshire

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