Hounslow Business Task Force at Ten - Free Webinars:
 
Hounslow Chamber has been supporting Hounslow businesses since 1909. We are hosting our next Business Task Force webinar on Thursday, 7 th May at 10:00 am, in conjunction with Chiswickbuzz , in our continuing commitment to our businesses across the borough and wider community.
 
Our expert panel is here to give you relevant advice to help you though these difficult times. 
 
 
If you have missed our webinars, you can watch them now:  https://hounslowchamber.org.uk/10015
DAILY BUSINESS BRIEFING FROM GOVERNMENT'S COVID-19 PRESS CONFERENCE (courtesy of White Label)


Cash grant for retail, hospitality and leisure and small business grant funding

Since the launch of the Small Business Grants Fund and the Retail, Leisure & Hospitality Grants Fund, more than £7billion in grants has been paid out to small businesses.

Local Authorities in England have been working hard to reach out to eligible businesses directly to arrange payment. The grants are of £10,000 or £25,000 and do not need to be paid back.

To ensure all eligible businesses can access these funds, please either reach out to your local council or use the GOV.UK checker tool


For more information on the schemes, please click here.

A CROWDFUNDING scheme to help companies stay afloat by urging Londoners to buy goods and services in advance from small businesses has been launched by the Mayor. ‘Pay It Forward London’ allows Londoners to pay for products or services that will be delivered once businesses return to normal or near-normal operation. Members of the public can also nominate businesses and encourage them to sign-up directly. The crowdfunding process for businesses is simple, secure and 100% free. Find out more here .
Coronavirus (Covid-19) 4 Essential Issues for all Businesses and some Individuals – updated article.
Information regarding insolvency proceedings/ statutory demands and rent.
 
Top tips for staying secure online
As we start to become increasingly more reliant on technology at home it helps to stay in the know about staying safe online and protect ourselves from cyber threats. Here are some useful top tips to ensure that you and your family stay secure online:

  • Protect your email by using a strong password and separate password
  • Install the latest software and app updates
  • Turn on two-factor authentication on your email
  • Password Managers help you to secure passwords
  • Secure smartphones and tablets with a screen lock
  • Always back up your most important data

Find out more about how to stay safe and secure on the National Cyber Security website .  
Protecting businesses from coronavirus scams
It’s not just individuals who are vulnerable to scams, businesses are at risk too.

Malicious email attachments, fake government grant phone calls and impersonation of other organisations are amongst some of the scams to be aware of and may be undermining businesses as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The increasing risk to businesses has led National Trading Standards to launch a free online training tool called Business Against Scams.
The initiative includes online training modules to help businesses upskill and train their staff to better identify and prevent potential scams.
You can find out more about the free online training here .
Good News:
Premiership football teams review kits as season looks to resume?
Hounslow Chamber of Commerce is the primary support, networking, and representation organisation in west London for SMEs.

We support the interests, the commercial aspirations and the investment for some 18,000 firms - from Chiswick to Feltham, Heathrow to Osterley and Brentford to Bedfont - the Chamber is the voice for all businesses located in the borough.