WINTER 2021 ROUND-UP Your chance to shine at the FSB Awards The 2022 FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards are now accepting entries. Open to all and free to enter, the awards seek to celebrate the achievements and contributions of small businesses and the self-employed across the UK. This high-profile event is the largest of its kind in the small business calendar, with 12 area finals taking place across the UK between 25 February and 13 April 2022. ROUND-UP The regional winners of each of the 12 award categories then head to the UK final, where they have the chance to be crowned UK Small Business of the Year and gain widespread recognition. For 2022, the final will be taking place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, on 19 May. Entrants will be judged by a panel of leading business experts with a wealth of experience in their industry. For more information about the award categories, how to enter, and the closing dates for your region go to the FSB website. To get tips on creating a potentially winning entry, read We want to celebrate your success in this edition of TSBN. Credit: Karen Woolley, Federation of Small Businesses Image: iStock.com / Rudzhan Nagiev NATASHAS LAW A new allergen labelling law came into force Ednan-Laperouse, who died after eating a on 1 October 2021, which will provide extra pre-packaged baguette, which, at the time, protection for people with a food allergy, did not require ingredients labelling. intolerance or coeliac disease. The type of food that will now need full Businesses are now required to label all food labelling includes grab and go foods that are known as prepacked for direct sale. The prepacked, such as sandwiches, salads and labelling will require the name of the food fast food. The food must have been packaged and a full list of ingredients, with any of the on the same site it is sold before a customer 14 major allergens emphasised in the list. selects or orders it. The Food Standards Agency has produced guidance to support The new rules, known as Natashas Law, were businesses to meet these changes. introduced following the death of Natasha Credit: Stuart Powell, Trading Standards Officer Recovery-ready resources The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has set up a new hub to help firms cope with rising costs, the end of the furlough scheme, and cash-flow problems as the UK tries to recover from the impact of coronavirus. Over the course of the pandemic, the FSB has supported record numbers of small businesses and the self-employed, helping secure 133bn in financial support, plus 108bn in loans or deferrals. Now, its Recovery Ready Hub offers free resources and guides to help businesses thrive, covering topics such as: recovering Over the past 18 months The FSB answered 49,500 calls to its contact centre 147,000 calls were made to its legal advice line 45,000 FSB members visited its online Legal Hub, making 280,000 downloads late payments; growing networks; Pay as you Grow and Covid loan-repayment support; building a brand; business continuity planning; and cyber security. The FSB also continues to champion those who have received no income support during the COVID-19 crisis for example, limited company directors and is hoping to improve schemes such as Kickstart and Help to Grow. Its current policy focus remains on economic recovery; cashflow, debt, tax and costs; people and skills shortages; levelling up; and net zero. For more information, visit the FSB website. Credit: Karen Woolley, Federation of Small Businesses, karen.woolley@fsb.org.uk AL FRESCO DRINKING AND DINING EXTENDED TO NEXT AUTUMN The government has extended the pavement Particularly over the festive season, it is licence regime to help pubs, bars and anticipated that the use of pavement space restaurants to recover from the pandemic. will give much-needed support to hospitality businesses, as well as opportunities to Hospitality businesses can continue to extend develop business plans for the spring their drinking and dining space until 30 and summer. September 2022, although existing pavement licences will not be extended automatically. There is a possibility that these changes will Businesses must apply to their local council become permanent, although this will require for a new licence, but the process for applying legislative change. Businesses should keep is unchanged. an eye on how the governments hospitality strategy develops over the next 12 months. Pubs can also keep selling takeaway pints and meals, even if off sales do not form part of their Author credit: Frances Darling, head of business and current premises licence or where relevant consumer protection, Homes & Communities, Place planning permissions are not in effect. Directorate, Shropshire Council For further information please contact your local Trading Standards Service