As the Destination Management Organisation for the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley we are committed to responsible tourism and are doing everything we can to support our local businesses while protecting the safety of our visitors.
During the COVID-19 outbreak we have been providing up-to-date support for our member businesses including local and national guidance, new restrictions and relaxations, business support, grant and loan application information. We have also organised member meetings with local MPs and councils, ensuring our members have been as supported and informed as possible.
The following is a list of key information and business support available (updated November 2021 with old links removed):
National Guidance on COVID-19:
UK Government COVID-19 Page with Links to All Other Information is Here.
Guidance for Employees, Employers and Businesses.
NHS Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates.
Local Business Information and Support Including Grants and Loans:
In Gloucestershire and The Forest of Dean:
The Forest of Dean District Council Business Support Page.
The Growth Hub Kick-Start Tourism.
In Monmouthshire:
The Monmouthshire County Council Business Support Page.
Business Wales Support.
In Herefordshire:
The Herefordshire County Council Business Support Page.
Government Business Support:
The UK Government Business Support Finder Tool to Find Financial Support for your Business.
Information on Financial Support for Businesses Including Loans, Grants, Tax and Rates Relief.
The 2021 Budget Announcement including information on restart grants, furlough extensions, SEISS grants.
Specific to Welsh Businesses:
Welsh Government Business and Employers Information Page.
Other Business Support Available:
List of All Business Support Options Available From Outside Government.
Future Fund Business Loans.
Business Representative Organisations and Trade Associations.
A Summary of business Support Options From Enterprise Nation.
Self-Employed Support Grant Information. Use the Online Tool Here to See if you are Eligible.
Employee Job Retention Scheme.
VAT deferrals.
Raise the Bar: Calling on the Government to Support Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Businesses.
National Lottery Grants for Heritage.
Gloucestershire Growth Hub Business Support Survey.
Scale Up 4 Growth Gloucestershire Business Grants.
Information on COVID-19 Restrictions and Reopening Procedures:
Latest News: Reopening Businesses, How to Stay Safe and Help Prevent the Spread.
Guidance for all Industries on Working Safely.
Apply for the We’re Good to Go Industry Standard from Visit Britain.
Get the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) International ‘Safe Travels’ Stamp.
Maintaining Records of Staff, Customers and Visitors to Support NHS Test and Trace.
The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley's Know Before You Go Campaign with Downloadable Poster.
Advice and Support from the Visit Britain Business Advice Hub.
The UK Government’s Recovery Strategy.
Information on the New Taskforces Including for Tourism.
The Food Standards Agency's Specialist Guidance for the Food Industry on Reopening and Adapting a Food Business.
UK Government guidance for the visitor economy in England:
-For people who work in hotels and guest accommodation, indoor and outdoor attractions, and business events and consumer shows.
-For people who work in or run hotels and other guest accommodation.
-For people who work or volunteer in heritage locations.
-For accommodation providers including what to do if guests have symptoms of COVID-19.
-For providers of outdoor facilities on the phased return of sport and recreation is here.
-For people who work in or run shops, branches, stores or similar environments.
-For people who work in or run restaurants, pubs, bars, cafes or takeaways.
Wales:
-Welsh Government roadmap for setting out how Wales will exit the coronavirus lockdown.
Marketing Help and Advice:
Visit Britain’s marketing plans – show your love for Great Britain.
Crowdfunder’s free ‘Pay it Forward’ fundraising opportunities.
Gloucestershire Growth Hub free webinars (subject to application).
Google Digital Garage Free live online courses.
Guestline’s hotel gift voucher site is free to sign up to.
Be a Local Hero website sign up for free to sell gift vouchers.
Business Wales information on social media use.
Food Finder app, free to get listed.
‘Curbside Pick-Up’ Notifications now available on Google Business Listings.
Facebook & Instagram Shops for all – make a storefront.
Register as a filming location with Creative England.
Our consumer website has several sections aimed at supporting our members, please let us know if you have anything else to add:
- Keep your communication clear and decisive – each business is different and you will have different pressure points so you need to do what is best for you and let your customers and guests know
- Keep your website and social media up to date
- Remember to encourage people that this is a temporary situation, suggest different ways they might be able to support you: online sales, vouchers, booking ahead – people generally know we are in this together so are open to supporting small businesses as much as they can
- Make sure you use a thoughtful and engaging tone, even if you are not feeling like this and actually just want to scream!
- If you are doing something really different to modify or adapt your business to the current situation make it clear
- Also email your database, and keep them updated on your news. You could encourage them to purchase vouchers, engage with your social media etc.
- If you sell anything online make this a focal point on the homepage of your website and point them to what you are providing
- If you have had to cancel events try to postpone, collect email addresses to let people know when a new date is confirmed. Look at virtual classes where possible (yoga, crafts etc)
- Keep up with Visit Britain’s marketing plans here
Keep posting on social media, people will be stuck at home on their mobiles and especially on social media, here are some ideas:
- Be the calm in the storm, people need positive messages more than ever
- Encourage conversations around positive topics
- Use this time to connect with your followers without selling to them – tell your stories, tell them about yourself and how you set up / came to run the business, tell them about your employees / company history
- Focus on content that’s more informational/ educational / entertaining
- Survival – what else have you survived? Many of you will have gone through Foot & Mouth for example
- Your followers are your community, and people come together in times of adversity. Have conversations with them
- Hope. We all hope to be out of this by June
- What can people buy online from you (eg gift vouchers) / book for a later date
- People will also be bored if stuck inside, if you have a shop can people buy things like games, craft sets or local books from you?
- Local heroes: Who supplies you, who do you rely on, we are all in it together…
- Promote what you can which is open locally, including walks in the countryside (as long as they are not self-isolating)
- Use #DeanWye as well as keeping up with timely hashtags such as #StaySafe #VisitLater #DontCancelModify #SupportLocal #VirtualHoliday. Join in with what’s happening in your region also for example #InThisTogetherGlos if you’re in Gloucestershire.
Don’t forget to join our members' Facebook group here.
Everything you need to know about becoming a member of Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Tourism and being listed on this website.
