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 the events in Tottenham.
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)
