Support
COVID-19 Response
Latest Guidance
We have specific guidance for hospitality businesses operating under the changing COVID-19 regulations here, and we recommend you read the government advice about working safely.
There’s also our local outbreak management plan.
Guidance for organisations setting out which venues and events must use the NHS COVID Pass, or equivalent proof of vaccination or testing, as a condition of entry, and how to operate the scheme can be found here.
Accessibility Guidance
Resources produced by members of the Audience Access Alliance are the best place to start to ensure you are remaining accessible while also being safe during Covid-19 recovery.
Euan’s Guide contains top 10 tips to help venues support disabled customers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Transport for All is the only disabled-led group striving to increase access to transport and streetspace across the UK. Their website contains lots of useful advice about accessibility.
Attitude is Everything is a disability-led charity with 20 years experience supporting non-profit and commercial organisations to make what they do more accessible and inclusive for Deaf and disabled people.
Embed Reopening Recommendations Support Service’ supports the UK reopening following COVID-19 lockdown and is created in collaboration with the Disability Collaborative Network (DCN) and the School of Health Sciences University of East Anglia.
Links and Resources:
Business Support Finder
Coronavirus (COVID‑19) support is available to employers and the self-employed, including sole traders and limited company directors. You may be eligible for loans, tax relief and cash grants, whether your business is open or closed.
Use the helpful Business Support Finder on GOV.UK to see what support is available for your business.
Links and Resources
Licensing Regulations
Here are links to helpful licensing documents that you might need:
You’ll need to apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TENs) if you’re holding an event with licensable activities. These include live entertainment such as plays, films, recorded music, indoor sporting events, live music and dance performances, sale of hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am and supply of alcohol . Apply for a temporary event notice
If you have an event that requires a pavement or footpath to be closed , apply here
For further information visit the GOV.UK pages on managing public outdoor settings or contact business@bristol.gov.uk if you're not sure what support you'll need.
Bristol as a Living Wage City
Bristol is on a mission to become a Living Wage City . We have been formally recognised by the Living Wage Foundation for our work with partners to achieve this vision and would love to get more businesses in the night time economy signed up.
The business benefits are clear, with the vast majority of accredited businesses reporting reduced staff sickness, as well as improved recruitment and retention of staff.
For further information, However, we know there can be barriers to accreditation for some businesses. You can contact the team at livingwage@bristol.gov.uk to find out more about what we’re trying to do here in Bristol and how we may be able to help you.
And if you’re already accredited, the team would love to hear from you - you may be able to share your experiences with others to help them on their journey to becoming a Real Living Wage employer.
Links and Resources
Living Wage City
Industry Support Networks
Here are a range of organisations and charities supporting businesses working in the night time economy:
NTIA is a trade association and membership organisation. Their aim is to champion organisations and individuals in the night-time economy, by highlighting its value. Their memberships include:
- Business support
- NTIA events for networking
Hospitality Action is a charity, which aims to support the UK hospitality industry. They have helped thousands of people over the past 180 years. They provide support on returning to work during Covid-19 and how to do so safely while looking after your mental health.
Calling all musicians! Musicians’ Union is a UK trade union, currently representing over 30,000 members. They offer advice and support for all musicians, including information on mental wellbeing and legal guidance.
A charity providing harm reduction and treatment services to people experiencing problems with drugs or alcohol.
We know that going back to work after the pandemic is challenging. Bristol Mind is a charity, which offers a helpline 7 days a week.
Help Musicians is an independent UK charity for professional musicians of all genres, from starting out through to retirement. They aim to help musicians at times of crisis, but also at times of opportunity, giving people the extra support they need at a crucial stage that could make or break their career.
Music Venue Trust is a UK registered charity which acts to protect, secure and improve Grassroots Music Venues. The Trust works to gain recognition of the essential role venues fulfil, not only for artist development but also for the cultural and music industries, the economy and local communities. Preserving and improving venues, making them more efficient and improving the experience for performers and audiences. Longer term the Trust plans to acquire the freeholds of as many of these vital venues as possible.
Back up - The Technical Entertainment Charity
The UK’s registered charity that provides financial support to industry technical professionals, crew/production personnel and people working in the technical supply chain across the UK entertainment industry including those from live events, theatre, TV and film.
Attitude is Everything improves Deaf and disabled people's access to live music by working in partnership with audiences, artists and the music industry.
BARBI was established in 2017 with the core aim of providing a voice for independent businesses in the hospitality and retail sectors. It helps businesses by putting pressure on the council, working with our partners to help save costs on services and products and getting them industry-specific information as quickly as possible.
UKHospitality represents over 740 companies operating around 100,000 venues across the breadth of hospitality within England, Scotland, and Wales.
UKHospitality promote the sector, so it is noticed and treated fairly, providing advice to protect commercial interests, lobbying to prevent restrictive legislation or taxation and pioneering solutions to deliver a sustainable sector.