Live Updates

Wood Green BID are updating this page daily with new information which helps local businesses. Over the last few weeks, the changes to the High Road and surrounding areas have been unprecedented.  The BID Street Rangers have been supporting many businesses especially with Crowd control measures outside some of the retailers.  So everyone is aware of what is happening in Wood Green, we will update this page daily.  If you have any information we can add, please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing info@woodgreenbid.co.uk

Friday 3rd April

• If you are a business that employs key workers, then please find attached to this e-bulletin an example of a template that you can adapt and use to give to your workers to prove that they are journeying to and from work as a key worker. The police have the right to stop and fine any individual on the street not adhering to current government policy, so key workers should carry a copy of this form on their person.  Download a copy of the letter template here.

Thursday 2nd April

• SCAM NOTICE – You may have received an email from organisations who are charging businesses up to £99 in order to facilitate the process of you accessing the Small Business or Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant.  You do not need to use these companies or pay and money to access your grant – we do this for you, and with you, free of charge. We strongly suggest that you do not engage with these organisations and only reveal any business issues, concerns or bank details to those people you trust. You may wish to post warnings on social media platforms that you may be on and alert people that any such claim is free via Haringey Council and to beware of these ‘offers’.

Tuesday 31st March

• BUSINESS GRANTS – If you DO NOT pay by Direct Debit on Rates, you need to complete a online form to receive either of the two business grants. The Form is live on the Haringey Council’s website.To complete it, please click here.
• Bury Road Car Park is now closed.  If you require parking in Wood Green, The Mall Shopping centre has free parking at both it’s Car Parks for Key Workers, NHS Staff and those who need to visit the town centre for essential visits.

Monday 30th March

• The Mall shopping centre car parks are available to use for free for those who are NHS staff, Key Workers and those who need to shop for essential supplies only.  Please only come into the town centre if it is essential for you to do so.
• If you are one of the Businesses who are going to receive a 12 month holiday on paying rates, please ensure that you cancel any direct debits you have before TOMORROW (1st APRIL 2020).  For further information on who is receiving a 12 month holiday on rates, visit our dedicated page here.

Thursday 26th March

• Chancellor announces payments and scheme for those who are self employed.
• The BID are working with departments at the Council and the Police in reference to groups of people hanging around Wood Green Town Centre.
• Haringey Council launch a Business Impact Survey for all businesses and the self employed.  Please take a few moments to complete as it gives the council a better understanding on how your business is being effected. To complete the survey, click here

Tuesday 24th March

Following the announcement yesterday, below is a list of Businesses and other areas which MUST STAY CLOSED:

• Restaurants (Takeaway/Delivery Services can continue)
• Cafes, including workplace canteens (Food delivery and takeaway can remain operational. Cafés or canteens at hospitals, care homes or schools; prison and military canteens; services providing food or drink to the homeless.
• Public houses
• Bars and nightclubs, including bars in hotels or members’ clubs
• Hair, beauty and nail salons, including piercing and tattoo parlours
• Massage parlours
• Outdoor and indoor markets (Except Market stalls which offer essential retail, such as grocery and food)
• Auction houses
• Car showrooms
• Hotels, hostels, BnBs, campsites and boarding houses for commercial use
• Caravan parks/sites for commercial uses
• All other types of retail except for Supermarkets and other food shops, health shops, pharmacies including nondispensing pharmacies, petrol stations, bicycle shops, home and hardware shops, laundrettes and dry cleaners, bicycle shops, garages, car rentals, pet shops, corner shops, newsagents, post offices, and banks.
• Fitness studios, gyms, swimming pools or other indoor leisure centres
• Museums and galleries
• Bingo halls, casinos and betting shops
• Fitness studios, gyms, swimming pools or other indoor leisure centres
• Other places which have to remain closed include Churches (except for funerals, playgrounds, Leisure Centres, Gyms, Community or youth centres (except if these are being used to coordinate or for the purpose of hosting essential voluntary or public services, such as food banks or homeless services.

Takeaway and delivery facilities should remain open and operational.
This means people can continue to enter premises to access takeaway services, including delivery drivers. Planning regulation will be changed to enable restaurants, cafes and pubs which do not currently offer delivery and hot food takeaway to do so. This will be clearly
communicated by the government when in effect. People must not consumer food or drinks on site at restaurants, cafes or pubs whilst waiting for takeaway food, Those venues offering takeaway or delivery services must not include alcoholic beverages in this list if their license does not already permit.  If you have not done so yet, if you are a restaurant or cafe running a takeaway service, you need to e-mail Haringey Planning with the date you start and also let them know when you finish.  Email planningsupport@haringey.gov.uk

Compliance
Everyone is instructed to comply with the rules issued by the government in relation to coronavirus, in order to protect both themselves and others. As of 2pm on 21 March 2020, closures on the original list from 20th March are now enforceable by law in England and Wales due to the threat to public health. The government will extend the law and enforcement powers to include the new list of premises
for closure. Further measures on enforcement could be taken following the passage of the Coronavirus Bill through parliament.

A business operating in contravention of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Business Closures) Regulations 2020 will be committing an offence. As agreed with the devolved administrations, these measures will be extended to Scotland and Northern Ireland by Ministerial Direction once the Coronavirus Bill is in force. Environmental Health and Trading Standards officers will monitor compliance with these
regulations, with police support provided if appropriate. Businesses and premises that breach them will be subject to prohibition notices, and potentially unlimited fines.

For those staying open
If you are staying open, please ensure that the safety of your staff and customers are paramount.  This especially includes ensuring that everyone has at least 2m of space around them.  Do NOT allow people to stand closely together in ques either in or outside your stores. Try and not handle cash without the use of gloves.  Keep your staff updated and also listen to their concerns.  Customers should come in and order or purchase goods and leave.  Do not give them reasons to hang around.  Limit how many people are in your store or place at work at any time.

Professional Services
At Present the changes announced only effect retail.  All those providing professional services should if they can work from home.  If you work in an office, please also create safe spaces.

Further guidance and support for businesses
We have added a new Useful Links section to this page.  Click on the Tabs for details which include links to Haringey Council departments, Central Government and other useful organisations.

Monday 23rd March

• Following the Prime Ministers announcement tonight,  All non-essential retailers are to close tonight.  The only stores that can stay open are those who provide essential goods which include chemists/Pharmacies, Greengrocers, Butchers, Bakers and Supermarkets.
• PLEASE DO NOT TRAVEL OR GO INTO WOOD GREEN OR USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT UNLESS YOU REALLY NEED TOO.  TO MANY PEOPLE ARE IGNORING THE GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE.  TOUGHER MEASURES MAY BE BROUGHT IN.
• The Government has announced that they have banned commercial evictions of businesses for at least three months. This is for those who cannot pay their rents due to the coronvirus outbreak will be protected.
• The Business Crime Hub (Met Police) have issued guidance for Business Owners especially for those who own or manage properties.  To read their guidance, please click here.
• The Coronvirus Interruption loan scheme has gone live today.  If your business is experiencing cashflow problems, you can apply up to £5 million.  For further information, please click here.
• If you feel a retailer is acting as profiteering or any other issue over this pandemic, you can now report it online directly to the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA).  To register a complaint, please click here
• The Federation of Small Business have put together a good resource for Small Business and the Self Employed.  Please do take a look as it breaks down some really useful information.  To visit, Click here
• Many of the brand name stores are closed including Pret, Primark, Traid, and Costa.  Nando’s is also closing and Mcdonalds is Today before 7.00pm
• Haringey Council have made changes to its Parking restrictions.  Please click here for details
• If your business is still open, please ensure that you are following the Governments guidelines especially about the space awareness.  For the protection of the customers and staff, please do not encourage people queuing or being in confined spaces close together.

Saturday 21st March

• H&M have announced their stores are now closed throughout the UK.  Online ordering still available.
• Following the announcement yesterday, All Restaurants, Cafe’s, Pubs, Leisure Centres, Night Clubs and Gyms are not to be open to the public.  Restaurants and Bars can still offer a takeaway service only.

Friday 20th March

• LATEST UPDATE – All Restaurants, Bars and Cafe’s are told to close Tonight until further notice by Government
• Other businesses including Gyms, Cinemas, Theatres and Leisure Centres are to close if they haven’t already “as soon as they reasonably can.”
• Government announce that they will pay upto 80% of wages for people who are not working up to £2,500
• The National Business Crime Centre has published a guide for businesses to keep safe during the pandemic, Please do read their guidance and support here.
• Haringey Libraries have announced that from immediate effect, all events and activities are suspended and access to the public computers and printing services are now stopped.
• The BID have updated the Business Rate Section on our website, please click on the tab on this page for further information on which businesses are included in the new 12 month holiday on business rates.
• The Leader of the Council has published an update for businesses plus the Business section has been updated. For further information, please click here.
• Wood Green BID are issuing a letter to all businesses in Wood Green High Road area with the highlighted details and summery of information in regards to the announcements we know already including Business Rates, Grants, the Loan and other useful information.
• Government issue a warning to businesses who may be profiteering out of the recent rush for certain items. The CMA states “The CMA will not tolerate unscrupulous businesses exploiting the crisis as a ‘cover’ for non-essential collusion.”  It has been brought to the BIDs attention today that a very small number of retailers have rapidly priced up a number of items including toilet rolls, Calpol etc.  We urge you to re-think your prices.
• IMPORTANT – Planning rules will be relaxed so pubs and restaurants can operate as hot food takeaways during the coronavirus outbreak.  Businesses will be required to tell the local planning authority when the new use begins and ends.  For the Governments announcement, please click here.

Thursday 19th March

• Tonight, at the daily press conference, Boris Johnson states that they are NOT looking at a Military style lockdown of London.  He however did say they may look at other options which could include closing bars or other stores etc. if people do not stay away.
• Prett, Mcdonalds, Greggs and Costa are only running a takeaway service and many are only accepting payments via contactless or cards.
• Clarks Shoe store in Wood Green is now Closed
• Message from Retailers: Some stores in Wood Green are seeing unprecedented scenes but this is no reason for taking it out on staff members. This week alone, at least 4 staff from different stores have been assaulted. These are people doing a job, please treat them with respect!
• River Island Store in Wood Green is now Closed
• Bank of England cuts base rate of interest to 0.1%
• Aldo store in Wood Green is Closed
• TK Maxx have closed their store as part of a national announcement.
• Transport for London have announced that they are running a reduced service on the Underground and bus services which includes the suspension of the night tube and Waterloo and City Lines.  Everyone is being urged to only use public transport for vital journeys only.  For full information about the reduced services, please visit the TFL website here.
• A Warning has been issued that people are going to residential properties saying they are there to test for COVID-19 for the NHS.  This is a scam.  Please pass this on especially to the older generation who may not be aware.
• Sainsbury’s have also announced that they are only allowing the older and most vulnerable in the store nationally from today for the first hour of trading.
• The Community HUB in Wood Green have announced to protect staff & Volunteers, they are closing from Monday 23rd April.
• From today, Iceland (Nationally) has announced that the first hour of trading is only for the elderly or vulnerable people.
• River Island in Wood Green will only be accepting Contactless and card payments only.  No cash payments
• Only one of the JD Sport stores in Wood Green will be open from today.
• Oxfam Wood Green will be closing on Saturday as part of the Uk closure of all their stores.

Wednesday 18th March

• Criminals are attempting to exploit the coronavirus crisis with a series of new scams related to the COVID-19 pandemic, experts have warned.  Read the News item on Sky News website
• Pret have announced they are giving all NHS staff 50% off all products in their stores
• Wood Green BID are in contact with Council to discuss information about Grants and support
• Greggs at Turnpike Lane is Closed
• H.Samuel Store is also Closed.
• Mcdonalds have announced that they are only running a takeaway and delivery service nationwide.
• The BID issues summary for the Emergency Planning Team relating the issues and daily problems facing the High Road.
• Foot Locker has closed (Entrance to The Mall) until further notice.
• Government announce that Schools will close to most pupils this Friday until further notice.

Tuesday 17th March

• Cineworld and Vue announce they are to temporary close all cinemas including Wood Green.
• Bean and Brew are running a takeaway service from their shop on the High Road (near Wood Green Station).
• Both Carphone Warehouse stores in Wood Green are closing on April 3rd. (Not Convid-19 related)
• Halfords announce the closure of the Wood Green Store for 23rd April.
• Around 70 staff in wood green mainly on Zero hour contracts are laid off overall mainly in retail or leisure.
• Government announce packages to support business (See other section).
• Ally Pally announce that they are closing and all events are either postponed or cancelled.  For further information, please visit their website at https://www.alexandrapalace.com/advice/