Tottenham disturbances - Help and information for traders
This information is being provided to help our valued local traders to get their businesses back on a sound footing after recent events in Tottenham.
Latest news
- Riot-hit firms offered a business rate reduction - Traders hit by the disturbances are being offered a reduction on their business rates.
Make a claim
High Street Support Scheme
Independent businesses that have been directly affected by the disturbances may be eligible for help from the High Street Support Scheme, provided by government through Haringey Council. This flexible scheme will be aimed at supporting the specific streets and areas where businesses have suffered most as a result of the disturbances.
Eligible businesses can apply for grants to cover the costs of loss and damage to their premises and properties that took place during the disturbances.
- Full details and guidance can be found here (PDF, 63KB)
- To apply, complete this application form (PDF, 101KB)
Please call 020 8489 2670 2515 to discuss your application.
|Back to topHigh Street Fund
The Mayor of London has joined forces with a group of the UK’s leading companies and local authorities to launch a new High Street Fund. The new fund will help smaller businesses across the country recover from the damage caused by the recent disturbances.
Businesses including Barclays, BP, Capita, Deloitte, Lloyds Banking Group, RBS and Santander have pledged over £3,000,000 cash plus support services to the fund, while the Mayor has committed £500,000.
Grants of an average value of £2,000 are available. The fund will be easy to apply for and payments will be made as swiftly as possible and the deadline is October 14th. To apply, visit the High Street Fund website at www.thehighstreetfund.co.uk (external link) or call the Free phone Helpline number 0800 093 5858.
|Back to topBusiness rate relief
Please use the Application for Hardship Relief due to Tottenham disturbances August 2011 application form (PDF, 72KB) if you wish to claim business rate relief.
This application form will form the basis of consideration for hardship relief within the revised scheme and is specifically for businesses affected by the August 2011 riots. Deadline for applications is 20 January 2012. The standard procedure remains in place for all other applications.
|Back to topFree legal advice
The Law Society is offering free assistance to individuals, not-for-profits and small businesses affected by the riots:
|Back to topFree wi-fi
BT has offered to provide support to businesses that have been affected by the recent incidents in Haringey. For those businesses who have had to move as a result of the incidents, or have had sustained disruption to their broadband services due the recent incidents, BT has kindly offered to provide free Wi Fi vouchers, enabling businesses to get back online, communicate and trade with customers and suppliers.
Businesses do not have to be BT customers to use these vouchers. If your business remains without access to your broadband service, you can apply for a limited number of vouchers by calling 020 8489 2670.
This offer is available to businesses affected by the recent disturbances and who have had their fixed line connections disrupted as a result.
|Back to topMore support available
Online information and advice
- www.businesslink.gov.uk (external link) has already been updated with practical advice and information on business continuity, risk management, and safety guidance. The business link national helpline number is 0845 600 9006.
- This is in addition to advice issued by local police forces and specific information circulated by relevant trade associations.
Access to finance
- Central Government is working with the British Bankers Association to ensure that affected businesses of all sizes, but especially small businesses, receive help.
- Where businesses have been affected by the recent rioting banks have put in place special arrangements to make sure that emergency enquiries from affected customers can be dealt with simply and quickly.
- Banks have put in place numbers for customers to call, teams are available inside the banks to help and business relationship managers are getting in contact.
- The banks say they will sympathetically and sensitively consider the problems of each business. Additional financial support will be available should it be required to provide solutions for the affected businesses. These include for example, where necessary making available short to medium term finance arrangements for repairs and to replace stock, and repayment holidays until insurance claims are settled.
| Bank | Business Contact Number |
|---|---|
| Bank of Scotland | 0845 300 0268 To make an insurance claim call - 0844 893 9582. For general enquiries call - 0800 048 4363 |
| Barclays | 0845 605 2345 |
| HSBC | 08457 606 060 |
| Lloyds TSB | 0845 072 5555 To make an insurance claim call - 0844 893 9580 For general enquiries call - 0844 893 9560 |
| NatWest | 0800 158 5977 |
| RBS | 0800 092 3087 |
| Santander | 0800 056 1991 |
Tax
- HMRC will delay tax payments for businesses needing help through Time to Pay and will offer other practical support. They have announced a single, Civil Disorder Help Line number - 0845 3661207 to provide comprehensive advice. They will deal sympathetically with problems currently faced by businesses and individuals, including:
- agreeing payment schedules, including short tem deferrals, with those who are unable to pay their tax bills due to temporary financial difficulties;
- practical solutions where businesses and individuals cannot meet their other obligations - for instance, if their records have been lost or destroyed in the disturbances.
Companies House
- If any affected business will be unable to file accounts or other documents on time as a direct result of the disturbances, Companies House will agree an extension and ensure that companies do not incur the usual penalties which apply for late filings.
Employment advice
- ACAS have issued advice on good practice regarding management of employees in these circumstances.
- This includes advice and information about the legal position for employees and employers especially where there is disruption to normal working hours.
Useful contacts
- Find your local councillor or call 020 8489 2947
- Customer Service Call Centre – 020 8489 1000 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri)
