Level 5 Announcement Wed 6th Jan 2021

Latest Level 5 Announcement – Wed 6th Jan 2021 

The latest government announcement has temporarily banned click and collect whilst keeping delivery channels open. Existing orders can still be collected.

This latest announcement does not impact hospitality outlets offering takeaway or essential retailers.

We know that many retailers have a thriving click and collect operation that worked well during the last lockdown and have become a lifeline particularly for smaller retailers.

We are very conscious of the need to restrict movement at this time to help bring this latest surge under control. We will update you on a reopening plan asap and look forward to  a speedy vaccination programme and further supports for the industry.

As always we are here to help and support in anyway we can. #StaySafe #KeepWaterfordSafe
 

Lockdown Announcement 30/12/20

Under the latest plan to tackle the spread of Covid-19, the Government has said that non-essential retail must close from close of business on 31/12/20. Retail outlets that are deemed essential may remain open, with public health measures in place.

Updated information on business supports will be available here:

https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/

 

Here is what the Government has outlined as essential retail:


– Businesses that sell food or beverages on a takeaway basis.

– Shops that offer food for sale.

– Outlets that sell products necessary for home maintenance, such as hardware outlets and builders’ merchants.

– Banks, post offices and credit unions.

– Pharmacies, chemists and retailers or wholesalers providing pharmaceuticals, as well as outlets selling health, medical or orthopaedic goods in a specialised outlet.

– Fuel service stations and heating fuel providers.

– Businesses that provide essential items for the health and welfare of animals.

– Laundries and dry cleaners are considered essential.

– Businesses selling health, medical or orthopaedic goods.

– Outlets selling safety supplies, including work-wear apparel, footwear and PPE.

– Mechanics and bike repair shops can remain open.

– Businesses that offer services on an emergency basis such as those sell hearing aids, office products, those who provide electrical, information and communications technology and telephone sales, repair and maintenance services.

– Optician and optometrist outlets.

– Retail outlets that operate online can open to provide goods for collection.


The Government has also said that retailers with mixed offerings – such as supermarkets that sell food and also sell clothing – should make arrangements for the separation of essential and non-essential retail items.

 

 

Night-time Economy Taskforce – submission

Night Time Economy Stakeholder Consultation Processs -Purple Flag Waterford Submission

Following our recent consultation with stakeholders, the Purple Flag submission has been forwarded to the Government Taskforce on the Night Time Economy. Waterford Chambers and Waterford Business Group also submitted; an amalgam of points raised in these submissions will form our Action Plan 2021-22. If there are additional issues you would like raised, please let us know!

Adaptation Fund for Pubs – deadline extended to Dec 18th

We’ve been notified by Failte Ireland of an extension to the Adaptation Fund for pubs; hopefully this will be of use to you. Please feel free to share.

 

The Adaptation Fund – Pubs: The Adaptation Fund remains open to all pubs.  There is a new deadline of December 18th at 5pm and is open to first time applications.  See overview below.

  • Pubs did not have to reopen in 2020 but give an undertaking to do so in 2021.
  • There is no requirement to compete a pre-eligibility check.  The application form is visible on the Trade Portal.  https://tradeportal.failteireland.ie/ – Select Funding option
  • Any pub business who started their application form after 23rd November will have changes to their form.

 

More information on: https://www.failteireland.ie/covid-19-adaptation-fund.aspx

 

The Failte Ireland Adaptation Fund has been re-opened to new applications from pubs. This is being done primarily to accommodate those pubs that were not able to open due to Government restrictions, but all pubs will be eligible to apply if they have not done so already. Funding of up to €2.5k is available for pubs serving food and €1.5k for those not serving food.

The closing date for applications for pubs only is 5pm on 18 December 2020.

Please note some important points

  1. Pubs must have one of the eligible licences under the Guidelines for the Adaptation Fund: Publican’s Licence – 7-day ordinary, 6-day or 6-day & early closing
  2. Pubs do not need to have re-opened in 2020 in order to apply. All pubs including those not able to re-open so far in 2020 due to Government restrictions are now eligible to apply. However, any pub which applies must have incurred adaptation costs for re-opening, and declare that they will re-open when permitted to do so by the Government.
  3. Pubs do not need to have completed adaptation work at the time of application – businesses can show evidence of costs incurred, including invoices and images of items purchased but not yet delivered. Please note quotations are not acceptable.
  4. Pubs do not need to have completed the Safety Charter to apply for the Adaptation Fund – they will need to have signed up to the Charter and complete it within 3 months of receiving any grant.
  5. If a pub has already lodged an application for funding under the Adaptation Fund they need do nothing else. Their application is currently being processed and payment will be made in November/ early December.

How to apply

To apply, businesses should go to the Fáilte Ireland Trade Portal and indicate their interest as ‘Adaptation Fund’. The Customer Care team will be in contact as soon as possible.

If businesses have any queries, they should contact our Customer Care team at customersupport@failteireland.ie 

 

Hospitality Industry Action Pack

Hi Purple Flag Stakeholders,

We are writing this morning to extend our help & support as we absorb the devastating news for many retailers issued by An Taoiseach last night. While there are still some grey areas in the list of defined ‘Essential Retail’ and will update as we get further clarification. Below is the list issued by Government and Retail Excellence last night: https://www.retailexcellence.ie/2020/10/19/level-5-essential-retail-as-defined-by-government-for-level-5/

Online is deemed essential, so you can have team members instore working on online and click & collect. These staff can travel past the 5km in this scenario.

The Government have announced increased level of supports for the PUP and EWSS payments to previous levels of payments.

In the meantime please see below links with guidance documents for the Hospitality Sector from ATCM/Sheilds Safety which may be of use to you:

distance-selling-safe-method

covid-19-controls-for-takeaway-operations-ra

customer-food-and-drink-delivery-service-ra

If there is anything we can help with, please feel free to contact Eric O’Brien or Maureen Fitzsimons who will make every endeavour to assist.

Stay Safe!