In these uncertain times, our weekly blog aims to provide the essential information you need to know, as well as point you to where you can find additional links, guidance and support:
Scottish Government New Coronavirus Measures: Because of the recent rise in COVID-19 infections, route map changes that had been given a conditional, indicative start date of Monday 14 September have now been given the new indicative date of Monday 5 October. Also, face coverings must be worn in hospitality settings, apart from during the service of food and drink, with hospitality staff following the similar rules as retail staff (from Monday 14 September). Find out more about the changes here.
The Islands Green Recovery Programme: Island communities will benefit from a £2 million programme of locally-led green projects designed to help support their economic recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Find out more here.
MTD for Income Tax: What Making Tax Digital Means for Sole Traders: MTD for Income Tax is due to start in April 2023. Discover more about the requirements and rules, and learn what you have to do to get ready in time here.
Record Keeping for the Self-Employed: Join HMRC’s live webinar to find out about setting up a record system, what you need to record and how long to keep your records. You can ask questions using the on-screen text box. Choose a date and time.
Centre for Local Economic Strategies Associate Director Opportunity: The Centre for Local Economic Strategies is looking for someone who can help lead the organisation, support a positive organisational change moment, represent CLES in networks, advocate for CLES’s work with partners, funders and networks and take responsibility for managing and delivering projects. Closing date: Thursday 1st October, 5.00pm. Find out more here.
Perth Creative Exchange Wasps Studio Space: Looking for a space to work from? Wasps has both artist studios and creative office space available in Perth Creative Exchange, Perth’s first creative hub. Join the Wasps community, experts in creative workspaces, in their 20th building in Scotland. For more information visit here.
Change to Buffer Services: Starting in October, Buffer will no longer support personal Instagram profiles. To ensure uninterrupted service, they recommend converting your personal profile to a business account on Instagram as soon as possible. Here’s an overview of the steps you’ll need to take to complete the conversion, which includes a video that walks you through it step by step.
Wild Scotland Survey: If you're a wildlife, adventure or activity operator in Scotland, Wild Scotland are asking you to complete this autumn survey so they can shape the support which they provide to your needs. Take the survey here.
LANTRA Brochure Feedback: LANTRA is looking to redesign their careers brochure and wants help in making sure the design works for the next generation, whilst still being useful in helping people find the career that is right for them. Share your thoughts here.
Join REDS: Rural Enterprise Directory Scotland (REDS) is a Smart Village initiative delivered by GrowBiz to provide a range of enterprise support services designed specifically for the needs of micro-businesses, social enterprises and the self-employed based in rural Scotland. Central to the REDS programme of support is a comprehensive, online directory of businesses in rural Scotland. The REDS Directory is live and ready to accept entries, sign up here.
Birnam Arts Crowdfunding Launch: As a community owned and run arts venue and charity with normally buzzing supporting areas of business, Covid-19 has emptied Birnam Arts year-round sources of income. On Thursday 17th September they will launch a funding campaign with bundles of exclusive and limited edition rewards to try and keep the doors open. Find out more here.