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Summary of existing government economic support for businesses

New Coronavirus (COVID‑19) support measures have been made available to employers and the self-employed, including sole traders and limited company directors, across the UK. You may be eligible for loans, tax relief, "time to pay" periods, and cash grants, whether your business is open or closed. Use the business support finder at gov.uk to see what support is available for you and your...
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We are here for you throughout the 3rd Lockdown for the UK

With Coronavirus having now triggered a Level 5 alert, and a national lockdown being in place in all four nations of the UK we want to reiterate what the situation is at O'Brien Media to reassure you that we are here for you and your business. In brief We are here for you throughout this global pandemic, and the UK's 3rd lockdown, and will work with you to ensure that your business can continue...
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Conor Mckenna, Director of Bristol based Vocavio Technologies looks back on 2020

We here at O’Brien Media have asked our customers how they have found 2020 to be. Through the various lockdowns and guidelines, Conor Mckenna shares how they and Vocavio Technologies have coped throughout these testing and unprecedented times. They also share how we here at O’Brien Media have helped them throughout the year. In a year where many took stock of how they engaged customers, it...
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Swindon to move into Tier 4 as of 00:01 31st December 2020

This is a developing topic and will be updated regularly. Swindon, along with many other areas, enter Tier 4 restrictions as of 00:01 on the 31st December 2020. This means that non-essential retail must now close, there will be further restrictions on movement - with a "Stay at Home" rule in place unless there is a "reasonable excuse". We have summarised some of the key points from the advice...
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Ian Henshall of Coffee Plant provides his perspective of 2020

We here at O’Brien Media have asked our customers how they have found 2020 to be. Through the various lockdowns and guidelines, Ian Henshall shares how they and Coffee Plant have coped throughout these testing and unprecedented times, with views from Ian's Accountable Democracy UK blog. They also share how we here at O’Brien Media have helped them throughout the year. Coffee Plant's shop has...
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Swindon moving into Tier 3 from 00:01 Boxing Day 2020

Following a review of the latest evidence, the Government has announced today that Swindon will be moved into the Tier 3 ‘Very High’ alert level from 00:01 on Boxing Day (26 December 2020). Other areas across the country including Sussex, Oxfordshire, Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, the rest of Essex which is not already, Waverley in Surrey, and Hampshire with the exception of the New...
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Second Lockdown: What are the new rules from 5th November 2020?

New lockdown rules were introduced in England from just after midnight last night (Thursday 5th November 20202). Pubs, restaurants, gyms, and non-essential shops will close for four weeks. These new measures are intended to reduce the growth rate of COVID-19, protect the NHS and ensure that as many people as possible can continue to work. It’s up to all of us to play our part to avoid...
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We’re here to help you & your business through lockdown

With the first day of this new national lockdown (5th November 2020) upon us, I wanted to let you know that, as during the previous lockdown, we will be here to help you and your business, club, or other organisation through these difficult times. If you haven’t already updated your website to provide information to your customers, members, or visitors then we can help you do this – either as...
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Coronavirus: It’s up to all of us to keep each other safe

It’s up to all of us to know what we must do to keep ourselves and others safe in the weeks and months ahead. The medical advice is clear: you must self-isolate if you have coronavirus symptoms or live in the same household as somebody who does. The main symptoms of coronavirus are: High temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your...
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Swindon & Wiltshire LEP open ERDF Recovery Grant applications

We've spoken to many customers over the last few weeks and months.  It goes without saying the ongoing COVID pandemic continues to hit small businesses hard across all sectors. Today, the application process opened for something called the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).  The ERDF Recovery Grant (which we blogged about last week) is available to small and medium companies, with a...
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