Information for businesses
Call for businesses to sign up to ShopLocal voucher scheme
Independent businesses in Hounslow are being encouraged to sign up to a new voucher scheme to support the borough’s high streets and encourage residents to shop locally.
The initiative would see the Council give a free £20 voucher to every household in the borough to spend at participating local businesses. Should enough businesses sign up to make the scheme viable, it is hoped it will launch in August. Using a dedicated free app to scan the voucher, the £20 will become available to spend on products or services before 7 December. Funded by the Government’s Covid-19 Additional Restrictions Grant, the ShopLocal voucher will also be an opportunity for businesses to raise their profile with residents and encourage them to spend more money locally in the future.
The scheme, part of the Council’s wider ShopLocal campaign, could also provide an opportunity for independent businesses to encourage customer loyalty and repeat business by offering an incentivised or exclusive deal when the voucher is redeemed. There will be a dedicated website with a map and listing of participating businesses, and the Council will run an awareness campaign featuring many of the local businesses.
The Council will also offer training and support. Hounslow-based businesses wanting to benefit from the ShopLocal voucher scheme, or find out more information, should register at https://retailers.evouchers.com/.
The voucher scheme is being delivered in partnership with Evouchers, a company which runs programmes for the public sector. Businesses will be automatically reimbursed by the Council for the value of the customers spend, up to a maximum of £20, within seven working days. Every business will be featured on an interactive map available through the app.
If you have any questions, please email: support@evouchers.com
Business support toolkit
To download our free Business Support Toolkit, which provides helpful guidance on how to reopen safely for your staff and customers, click below.
Hospitality support toolkit
Our hospitality sector is an important part of the local economy. To help these businesses reopen and be Covid-19 Secure, please download this free Hospitality Support Toolkit, which provides helpful guidance on how to reopen safely for your staff and customers.
Free business support
To help you reopen and ensure you are Covid-19 Secure, reach out to our dedicated Business Support officers. They'll be able to provide you with free 1:1 guidance and advice on adapt your premises with confidence. Contact info@saferbusinesshounslow.co.uk or phone +44 (0)7944 373605 for more details or to schedule your 1:1 appointment.
Get your business noticed!
View our interactive online map and let residents and visitors know you are open and have adapted Covid-19 Secure. Click here to get started.
Order free social distancing stickers
To help your customer safely navigate your premises, please order these free safe queuing pavement stickers and Covid-19 Secure posters. They're a great way to keep your customers safe and orderly. Order for free here.
Working Safely
Practical actions for businesses to take based on 5 main steps. Each guide has specific actions for businesses to take based on these steps. Take a look here
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) – shops and branches
Guidance for people who work in or run shops, branches, stores or similar environments. Take a look here
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Government has published a guidance to help employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic. Take a look at the guidance here
Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can't do
The government has published guidance on staying safe outside your home and guidance on social distancing rules. Take a look at the key FAQs to help you prepare for these changes.
Health and Safety Guidance - working safely during COVID-19
This guidance is for employers, but workers and the self-employed may also find it useful.
It’s designed to help you make your work and workplace safe (be COVID-secure). It'll help you to manage the risk associated with re-starting or running your business during the outbreak. Read the guidance here
Health and Safety Guidance and Risk Assessments
As an employer, you’re required by law to protect your employees, and others, from harm. Take a look at the guidance and risk assessments here
Order Covid-19 Secure stickers and posters
Showing you're COVID-19 secure
The new guidance from government to help businesses in the UK work safely, includes a downloadable notice. Employers can display this in their workplaces to show their employees, customers and other visitors to their workplace, that they have followed this guidance.
Click here to download more assets for use on print and digital channels.
