With new lockdown restrictions starting in England, as well as the circuit breaker in Wales and new tiers in Scotland, we wanted to remind you that pet shops are essential retailers so can remain open.
You are also allowed to continue to work if you cannot work from home (eg pond & aquarium consultants) but of course you must make sure you are following Covid-secure work practices. Here’s a link for retailers and for those working in people’s homes. If you haven’t read these recently it’s a good idea to check what you have in place and don’t forget to display your certificate prominently showing what you’ve done for customers to see.
Here’s our letter for essential travel just in case you are asked when travelling to work, which again you are allowed to do if you cannot work from home. Here’s our letter for retailers and one for consultants.
However, retailers are likely to experience significant reductions in footfall so you may need to go back to the ways you communicated with customers back in the Spring. Have a look at our advice here.
If you have to furlough staff then find out about this extension to the Job Retention (furlough) scheme here. Don’t forget the government will pay businesses £1,000 in 2021 for each staff member still employed that you have had to previously furlough through the Job Retention Bonus scheme. Find out more about this here.
The Government is also extending its Self Employment Income Support Scheme from 1 November. You can find out more here.
This should not necessarily affect many businesses in our industry but the Government will be revising its guidance on the local restrictions support grant for any businesses that have to close as a result of this latest lockdown.
Should you need to then you can still apply for the government backed business loans because the deadline has been extended until 31 January 2021:
