As we move into the second phase of lockdown, we are hoping the economy can gradually start to reopen. This is good news for many businesses, but also throws up questions and challenges, so we've rounded up some of the latest news, information and workshops designed to help you get going again safely:
Scotland Food and Drink Virtual Workshops: The two workshops are a new free of charge virtual meet-the-buyer opportunity on 29 June for suppliers (especially from Fife and Tayside) with Fife Cultural Trust’s ‘Summer in the Park’ initiative, and the digital route to market online workshops, which have been given additional dates—details and booking for those here. Full details for the meet-the-buyer workshop can be found here, with a closing date for applications of 23 June.
Business Gateway Redundancy to Recovery Workshops: Designed for people who are new to the thought of running a business and may be considering it after facing redundancy, or even just following some time at home to consider their future options, these four workshops will all run on Friday 26th June from 9:30 to 4:30 and are 1 hour long each. They will work through generating an idea, market research and building a business model, legal and tax requirements, and the financial side of running a business. You can attend any or all of the following workshops:
Following the workshop you will be allocated your own dedicated business adviser who will work with you to take your plans forward.
How To Carry Out a Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Operating standards for safety, security, and cleanliness will now be subject to new, elevated expectations. No matter what industry you are in, rebuilding confidence and providing assurance to staff, customers, guests, contractors and suppliers is critical. This 45 minute presentation by Fairweather Safety Consulting will take you through the key controls that you need to think about when carrying out your specific Covid-19 risk assessment. Find it here.
FSB Report: The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) have published a report on the impact of the coronavirus on small businesses and what needs to be done to support their recovery. You can read it here.
The FSB is also running online events covering useful topics, including:
Re-opening your business - what you need to do Thursday 25 June, 10:30am, Online This FSB Scotland webinar will discuss new safer working rules for Scottish businesses as they begin to re-open post Coronavirus lockdown. Further details and opportunity to post your question here.
FSB First Voice Webinars For a range of webinars, including several on coronavirus support, check out our First Voice archive.
How to protect your business from Cybercrime - North East Scotland Thursday 25 June, 3pm, Online Discover tips on how to keep your business safe in a digital world in this essential webinar. More information here.
Getting Tourism Ready: VisitScotland have put together a checklist for preparing to reopen tourism-based businesses. Find it here.
Live Borders Great Tapestry of Scotland Competition: This competition is for amateur and professional artists of all ages to record their artistic reflections of Scotland and provide a vital record of the Covid-19 lockdown for generations to come. Some of the most inspiring entries will feature in the Reflections of a Nation opening exhibit in the new purpose-built Great Tapestry of Scotland gallery and exhibition centre when it opens in spring 2021. More details here.
We hope you’ve found these updates useful.