Supporting local business recovery

Throughout the pandemic and lockdowns the Council has been working hard to distribute the various Government grants to local businesses as quickly as possible. We have also worked up local discretionary grant schemes to provide financial support for businesses that didn’t fit the criteria of other schemes such as those not in rateable properties, the self-employed and supply chain businesses. To date we as a council have distributed over £88 million in grant funding to local businesses affected by the pandemic.

This increased contact has helped us to better understand the range of businesses within our borough and improved our communication with local firms.

One of the initiatives the Council has started is Sutton Business Scene. This email newsletter is similar to Sutton Scene, but with useful information targeted specifically for business. Through Sutton Business Scene we have been able to alert and signpost businesses to new grant announcements, changes in Government guidance on COVID-19, local business support and advice schemes, and training and employment contacts. 

The Council’s focus now is on helping businesses recover from the impacts of the last two years. We have just started a programme with businesses to improve their employment and training offer, and increase the sustainability of their operations.

New recovery grants for hospitality and leisure are now available and the Council is offering a range of support to help businesses get back on track, which is being managed by the Council and funded by the Government. This includes training on management essentials for SMEs; targeted support and advice for nurseries and preschools; working with Successful Sutton, the town centre Business Improvement District, to offer one-to-one support on procurement and sustainability; and a scheme to give independent retailers in our smaller high streets free support and advice. The Council is also offering to subsidise membership of the Federation of Small Businesses for up to 150 businesses.

The latest data shows that our fantastic local businesses have been resilient, with footfall and consumer spending recovering well. However, there may be further bumps in the road ahead. With this in mind, we are working to build on the closer relationship we have developed with businesses throughout the pandemic to support them and help them grow and prosper whatever the future brings.

Cllr Jayne McCoy