Self-employed should think before claiming Government support, Swindon accountants urge

Self-employed business owners and sole traders are being warned against rushing to apply for the second round of Government coronavirus relief funding unless they are confident they qualify.

Accountants at Swindon-based professional services company, Optimum, said thousands of self-employed people have already benefitted from the first tranche of the self-employed income support scheme (SEISS). The second round of funding opens for applications from August 17, but is aimed only at those who have been adversely affected by Coronavirus since July 14.

Expert opinion: Are you considering permanent home working for your business?

Pre-coronavirus, some employers may have thought that home-working would not be suitable for their business. Or perhaps, had considered testing the waters of remote work but hadn’t found the time to put a trial into motion.

This quickly changed when the government made working from home a critical component in their response to the coronavirus pandemic. Businesses that could facilitate remote work were asked to do so, and what may previously have seemed like barriers to remote work had to quickly be addressed to protect health and keep businesses operational.

New data shows level of government support to businesses in Swindon and Wiltshire

New data shows level of government support to businesses in Swindon and Wiltshire during the coronavirus pandemic.

Nationally, more than £106 billion has been provided to support businesses and individuals.

Locally, 64,000 workers in Wiltshire and 35,500 in Swindon had their jobs protected by the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which allowed employers to furlough workers while the government has provided up to 80 percent of their wages up to £2,500 a month.

Swindon company to take on Paypal e-commerce payment gateway

A Swindon company has launched an e-commerce payment gateway to rival sector giants Paypal and Stripe.

GR8PAY say they have chosen Bowman House as their base of operations within the EU to "mount their attack" on the big online payment providers.

Online pet food shop to open physical store

A successful online trader in raw pet food will be opening a physical shop in Swindon's Gorse Hill, in a deal brokered by commercial property agent Kilpatrick & Co.

Raw 4 Pawz Ltd signed a lease on the 372 sq ft unit at 98 Cricklade Road, in premises formerly occupied by Plug In computer repair shop.

Tourism bosses urge businesses to apply for We're Good to Go consumer mark

Tourism bosses in Wiltshire are appealing to tourism and hospitality businesses to apply for free We’re Good to Go industry standard and consumer mark, in order to provide reassurance to visitors.

The new We’re Good to Go industry standard and consumer mark launched in June and is available to businesses, attractions and destinations in the UK, to provide reassurance to visitors as well as local residents, that they have put clear processes in place and adhered to current government guidelines.