two person greeting between eachother, one is on a computer and the other on a tablet

Swindon & Wiltshire LEP Covid-19 Recovery Grants Scheme

Alex Swabey August 27, 2020 0 Comments

Every small business has had new challenges to deal with this year. All of us are busy trying to come to terms with this new reality, and it's easy to miss opportunities while you're tending to your business. We recently became aware of a programme run by the Swindon & Wiltshire Local Enterprise Economic Partnership and their Economic Plan. Catchy, I know. The Swindon & Wiltshire LEP is...

Social distancing marks on supermarket floor intended to stop spread of the contagious Coronavirus

Shops and shoppers must stick to the follow official government guidelines following reopening from 1st and 15th June

Chris Grant (he/him) June 01, 2020 0 Comments

The government has released a list of rules and guidelines that shops and shoppers must follow to keep everyone safe when retail starts to reopen on the 1st and 15th June 2020. One of the most widely-discussed bans has been that on changing rooms. One of these measures include banning shoppers trying on clothes in changing rooms for fear of spreading the virus. According to the official...

People (men and women) in a line / queue at the supermarket

Back to business – What does post-lockdown business look like?

Alex Swabey June 01, 2020 0 Comments

It has been over two months since the government asked us all to stay at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. With restrictions beginning to ease, businesses up and down the country are trying to figure out how to start welcoming customers again while minimising risk to themselves or their patrons. According to the latest government statement, retailers who operate outdoors will now be...

Client Signing Paper At Reception Desk In Face Mask

Ideas to help keep your business running during the coronavirus crisis

Chris Grant (he/him) May 23, 2020 0 Comments

If you run a salon, shop or any business that requires feet through the door and staff on hand, it can be difficult to know what to do for the best - the government is telling people to avoid people, pubs and the office, but can you afford to shut up shop? The situation is ever-changing, but to some degree the current social distancing and self-isolation measures look set to be in place for the...

Two business owner are working together to pack products and check customers' orders on their laptops at home

One eye to the future for small business, post Covid-19

Andy Smart May 17, 2020 0 Comments

It seems at the moment the world is moving at lightspeed.  The news every day is changing and, whilst some of the lockdown restrictions are being eased, we’re still very, very far from “normal”.  I for one long for the days when Microsoft Teams was a bit of an irritation when I turned my computer on - here at O’Brien Media it’s now become central to the way we work together! ...

empty office with three blue chairs and a display

New Gov funding of £617m to help co-working tenants, market traders, Bed & Breakfasts

Chris Grant (he/him) May 02, 2020 0 Comments

New funding of £617m is being made available to co-working space tenants, market traders and other businesses in England who aren't being given funding through the coronavirus business rates grant scheme due to not being in full-time commercial properties. This funding will be assessed and paid out by local authorities, these being Wiltshire Council, Swindon Borough Council, and Vale of White...

Phone call from unknown number late at night

Criminals are exploiting fear of COVID19 pandemic to scam victims out of cash

Andy Smart April 25, 2020 0 Comments

Scams over the phone are nothing new, but, in the current climate, they are being adapted. Criminals are exploiting the need to keep ourselves safe and take protective measures during the COVID19 pandemic and are reinventing their scams to use Coronavirus as a hook. Any unsolicited phone calls should be treated with extreme caution, and if they’re asking for payment details it’s highly likely...

laptop with the government business support website

Coronavirus Business Support Page on GOV.UK Website

Andy Smart April 20, 2020 0 Comments

GOV.UK have updated their website to include a section specifically aimed at supporting businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic: Find out what financial support you can get for your business Find out how you can claim your employees' wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Find out how to apply for a grant if you're self-employed All information relating to Business Support can now be...

Government advice for trades: Work carried out in people’s homes is acceptable during UK lockdown

Andy Smart April 10, 2020 0 Comments

Current Government advice for trades, such as electricians, plumbers, maintenance workers, cleaners and other tradespeople carrying out work in people's homes is that this is currently acceptable even during the lockdown, the advice, as of 10th April 2020 is as follows: Work carried out in people’s homes, for example by tradespeople carrying out repairs and maintenance, can continue, provided...

Google says don’t disable your site, even during temporary closure

Andy Smart March 27, 2020 0 Comments

Businesses are continuing to feel the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, with some forced to temporarily shut down. To help business owners preserve their visibility in Google search, Google has published recommendations on how to properly limit your site’s functionality if you need to pause operations. Avoid disabling your whole site. Disabling your site, even for just a few days, can...

Coronavirus (COVID-19)