More details of rates help for small businesses during coronavirus

llanblogger has obtained more information on the rates relief scheme announced yesterday by the Welsh Government to help get small businesses cope with the effects of coronavirus.

A government release says:

"The Welsh Government is today announcing a package of support worth more than £200m for small businesses to help them during the coronavirus outbreak.

Retail, leisure and hospitality businesses with a rateable value of £51,000 or less will receive 100% business rate relief and pubs with a rateable value of between £51,000 and £100,000 will receive a £5,000 reduction on their bill.

A further £100m will be available for a new grant scheme for small businesses Further details on this new grant scheme will be confirmed as soon as possible.

Announcing the decision, Finance Minister Rebecca Evans said:

“I’m pleased we can offer this package of support to businesses as part of our response to the coronavirus outbreak. We are allocating every penny of the funding we will be receiving as a consequence of the schemes the UK Government announced in England last week to support businesses in Wales.

“But I know that helping businesses with their rates bills will not be enough to protect them from the severe drop in custom many are experiencing as coronavirus cases increase.

“We will be calling on the UK Government to act quickly and decisively to provide a very significant support package for vulnerable businesses and their employees.”

Bistro boss seeks crowd funding to help those kept in by virus

A Llangollen restaurant boss is aiming to crowd fund a service to provide food and drink to people confined at home by the coronavirus infection threat.

Fern Evans, who runs the Phoenix Bistro in the town, has set out her idea on Facebook this morning (Tuesday) and expands on it on the gofundme page she has set up.

She says: “The recent coronavirus update has advised members of the public to basically avoid any businesses within the hospitality industry.

“However, no order has been issued for owners of these businesses to shut down, meaning that the government is under no obligation to provide them with any kind of financial support. 

“I‘m not going to get into the problems that self-employed people like me are about to face, because that’s not what this is about.

“As much as I am worried about the future of my business, it’s nothing compared to the complete feeling of despair that I have for the vulnerable members of our community that have been told to quarantine themselves for 12 weeks. I want to be able to help those people, in whatever way I can.

“At the moment, I can barely pay my bills, let alone afford to provide food, or anything else to those in need, but I really would not feel comfortable asking those people for any money towards such a service when they’ve been left in such a situation through  no fault of their own. So I’m left in a bit of a quandary. 

“I’ve never done this kind of thing before, so it’s a massive long shot, and it may not work, but I figure it’s worth a go. Therefore I’m asking for donations to help me fill my cupboards (and my fuel tank) so that I can provide food, drink, and little treats to those people in my community that can’t get out of the house for the foreseeable future. 

“I’ve got loads of ideas, but I’m not going to rabbit on anymore. however if you want to know any more about what I intend to do with the donations or how this will work, then please feel free to email me and I will be more than happy to answer your questions.”

* Fern can be contacted at: thephoenixbistro2018@gmail.com .
facebook/instagram @thephoenixbistro

Her gofundme page is at:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-me-provide-a-food-service-to-the-vulnerable?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&fbclid=IwAR3drJPNqN4bNZkX8_GMaj4lIQPbbkNicLYkWR1FzCTQH2Fj6ST4Q-jHiYU

There’s also a positive message from another of Llangollen’s eateries.

On its Facebook page, Pretty Village Teamroom says: “Amelia and I ARE STAYING OPEN until further notice from Mr BoJo that we may HAVE to close!

“ Our complimentary sanitizer is still in force!”

And it’s a similar story with Sam’s Coffee at Gales Wine Bar.

On its Facebook site it has the message: “O P E N. We will keep open as long as we can and as long as it’s safe.  We have space here and a warm, clean and positive welcoming environment. 

“You all know the drill with being clean by now. We’re having a meeting today to plan the next stage, how we can keep going and help people in the community that need it.  Please support us and your local businesses in the coming days and weeks if you can too.

“In the meantime I’m compiling a serious FUNK playlist to get us through this and keep our heads up.

“Open until 3pm, free squirt of alcohol Gel at the till. Card payments only if at all possible, please.”

Organisers of LlanBikeFest says in its Facebook update on coronavirus: “Well, 2020 doesn't seem to be going according to plan so far: MotoGP season start delayed; Manchester Bike Show cancelled until next year; TT cancelled ...

“We take the safety of our visitors, exhibitors, traders and helpers very seriously and are monitoring the situation carefully. Our event is not for another 4½ months, by which time we are hoping that the situation will have stabilised at the very least.

“As things stand at the time of writing we are planning and preparing for a bumper festival with more guests than ever, a host of attractions and activities and fantastic entertainment.

“We will keep an eye on the situation but we look forward to seeing you all in Llangollen in August.”

There’s a less positive message from Venue Cymru and Theatr Colwn, where many Llangollen go for entertainment.

They say on Facebook: “In response to the Prime Minister’s statement this evening, advising the UK public to avoid unnecessary social contact, we regret to inform you that Venue Cymru and Theatr Colwyn will not be staging shows or screening films at this time. We will continue to follow guidance as to when we should recommence our programme. 

“We kindly ask that you do not contact the box office as our teams will be contacting you soon with further details regarding cancelled and postponed events.

“We understand that this decision will come as a disappointment and inconvenience, but ultimately we all want the same thing: the health and safety of our communities, and we believe this is the correct decision to make.

“Thank you for your patience, understanding and cooperation. We appreciate you support and look forward to welcoming you back to Venue Cymru and Theatr Colwyn again very soon.”

* If you have an update on how coronavirus is affecting you or your organisation or business send the details to llanblogger@gmail.com

Small businesses to get coronavirus rates help

Small businesses will benefit from more than £200m to help them during the coronavirus outbreak, the Welsh Government has said.

The BBC is reporting this morning that shops, leisure and hospitality businesses will see their rates cut, and in some cases removed, while a separate grant scheme will be available for those who are not eligible.

It comes after Wales was promised £835m by Westminster to help businesses.

Forr the full story, see: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-51916208

Welsh Government gets £475m to combat virus

Welsh Government will receive £475m from the UK Government to support people and businesses through COVID-19.

This will mean they can increase funding for the NHS and provide vital grants to businesses as they are hit by the economic shockwave.

For the full story, see: https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/welsh-government-475m-support-businesses-17934598

llanblogger's motoring man caught by Spanish lock down

* Steve and Jean Rogers have been caught by the lock down in Spain.

Llanblogger's motoring correspondent Steve Rogers is one of thousands of British tourists trapped in Corona virus torn Spain.

Rogers, 68, from Wrexham, and his wife, Jean, 69, are spending three months in Roquetas de Mar in Spain's south eastern province of Almeria and are not due to return to the UK until the end of April. 

He has just sent this update.

"As I write Jean is trying to get through to consular sites for information about driving through Spain. We want to make a dash for home but don't know yet if we can leave here, let alone get through the French border 550 miles away.

"Saturday's stringent Lock Down decision by the Madrid government seems to have caught out everyone, not just the tourists. 

"From Sunday we were effectively under 'house arrest' able only to go a food shop or pharmacy. We understand only essential transport is allowed on the roads but there are conflicting reports that cars with foreign plates heading for home will be allowed to continue the journey.

"Our dilemma is leaving the relative comfort and safety of our apartment, driving through Spain but then getting turned back at the French border. Hopefully that situation will become clearer this afternoon although Jean's efforts so far with the consular offices in Alicante, Madrid and Malaga have drawn a blank.

"Contact with a person is impossible and voicemail boxes are full so we are just trying to come up with alternative solutions.

"Maybe we should have anticipated such drastic measures given the fact that the Spanish government seems to have buried its head in the sand while the rest of the world reacts but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

"We have friends whose flight home from Malaga was cancelled as a result of the lock down but they have managed to get places on a rescue flight on Thursday. The situation for people who have driven is clearly more complicated and stressful.

"Even though this is a lovely warm area with more than 300 days of sun the majority of visitors from November to May are from the UK, Germany and the Netherlands so it is relatively quiet with many hotels still closed but even so when we went out briefly yesterday it seemed the world had come to an end. Everywhere was deserted.

"We have just heard France will lock down from Wednesday so the decision has been made. We are making a run for it."

Virus total in Wales now stands at 124

Latest statement on coronavirus from Pubic Health Wales is:

Dr Giri Shankar, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said:

“We can confirm that 30 new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 124.

“Public Health Wales is working within the phased approach to tackling the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outlined in the UK Coronavirus Action Plan - to contain, delay, research and mitigate.

“We are working with our partners in the Welsh Government, the wider NHS in Wales, and others now that we have entered the ‘delay’ phase.  This is now not just an attempt to contain the disease, as far as possible, but to delay its spread.

“The advice for the public changed.  People no longer need to contact NHS 111 if they think they may have contracted Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).  Instead, anyone who has a high temperature or a new continuous cough should stay at home for seven days.  They should not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. 

“They should only contact NHS 111 if they feel they cannot cope with their symptoms at home, their condition gets worse, or their symptoms do not get better after seven days.”

“The public play an important role in this new phase. By following the latest advice, you will protect yourself, protect the most vulnerable, and delay and flatten the peak, which will reduce the pressure on NHS Wales and minimise the impact of the virus.

“The move into the ‘delay’ phase, will include working closely with health boards, NHS 111 and the Welsh Government towards transitioning away from community testing and contact tracing. Testing will now focus on cases admitted to hospital, in line with national guidance, and based on symptoms and severity.      

“The move away from community testing gives us greater capacity to test in hospital settings, where the most vulnerable patients will be cared for.

“While there is no longer a need to identify every case through community testing, we will still need to and will be able to report on Novel Coronavirus level in Wales. In a similar way to our seasonal flu reporting, we will be undertaking routine Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) surveillance which will help us understand the picture in Wales. 

We will therefore continue in the short term to report numbers of confirmed cases, which will give us some indication of the picture in Wales.

The table below shows the number of cases by local authority as of today Monday, 16 March. Please note that at the time of publishing, the residential area of 12 of the confirmed cases today were still being confirmed.

Local Authority	Number of cases on 15 March*	Number of new cases	Total number of cases as of 11am, 16 March
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council	4	1	5
Bridgend County Borough Council	1	0	1
Caerphilly County Borough Council	11	3	14
Carmarthenshire County Council	7	0	7
Ceredigion County Council	1	0	1
City and County of Swansea	22	1	23
City of Cardiff Council	8	3	11
Conwy County Borough Council	1	0	1
Denbighshire County Council	0	0	0
Flintshire County Council	1	0	1
Gwynedd Council	0	0	0
Isle of Anglesey County Council	1	1	2
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council	0	0	0
Monmouthshire County Council	5	2	7
Neath Port Talbot Council	11	0	11
Newport City Council	7	7	14
Pembrokeshire County Council	2	0	2
Powys County Council	3	0	3
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council	2	0	2
Torfaen County Borough Council	2	0	2
Vale of Glamorgan Council	1	0	1
Wrexham County Borough Council	1	1	2
Residential area to be confirmed			12
Resident outside Wales			2
Total:			124

Eisteddfod musical evening is latest casualty of virus fears

* The eisteddfod's musical evening at St Collen's
on March 27 has been cancelled. 

A special musical evening to be hosted by Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod at St Collen’s Church is the latest victim of the coronavirus crisis.

The aim of the Cymanfa Ganu, due to be held on Friday March 27, was to celebrate Welsh culture and raise money for the 2020 festival.

But in a statement this afternoon (Monday) the eisteddfod says: “We have been monitoring developments around coronavirus (COVID-19) and have come to the decision to cancel our scheduled Cymanfa Ganu.

“Customers who had already purchased tickets for the Cymanfa Ganu will be refunded.

“Please be assured that we will continue to monitor and communicate with you about our plans for Llangollen 2020 in July as the situation develops.”

The evening was to have featured a range of local performers, including Wrexham-based mixed choir the James Lambert Singers. 

The evening was also due to include performances from Carrog-based ladies choir Lleisiau’r Afon who performed at the Eisteddfod for the first time last year, as well as musical items from a local Welsh harpist, and congregational singing in both Welsh and English.

Also due to the risk of infection Llangollen’s New Dot Cinema has cancelled its scheduled showing of the film Pain and Glory at the Town Hall on Friday March 27.

In statement the voluntary group says: “We have taken the decision to cancel our next screening, Pain and Glory, which was due to be shown on 27th March.

“We are monitoring the current situation and hope to bring great films to Llangollen again shortly.

“Sending lots of love from the New Dot volunteers to our audience, friends and fellow Llangollen community members who are affected at this difficult time.” 

Blue Bay Launderette in Regent Street has launched a new service as fears of infection spread.

On Facebook it said: “Due to the current situation regarding Coronavirus and self isolating we will be offering a pick-up and delivery service as of Monday 16th March 2020 until further notice.

“If you or you know of anyone who wish to use this service please get in touch with Jayne or Sarah on 01978 869227 to arrange collection.

“All customers who are doing there own laundry will also need to adhere to these requests:
1) Wash hands upon entering the launderette.
2) Wash hands after handling dirty laundry.
3) Do not shake dirty laundry,This will minimise the possibility of dispersing the virus through the air.
4) Or there is always the option to leave the laundry as a service wash.

“We will remain as diligent as ever with our cleaning and sanitising of the launderette and continue to offer a service that helps keep things cleaner and safer.”

Another measure to safeguard against the spread of infection was the live streaming over Facebook of the 11am service at St Collen's yesterday (Sunday). 

This was done to assist those who felt unable to be at the service in person. 

* Vicar, Father Lee Taylor, leads the morning service at
St Collen's which was streamed live on Facebook yesterday.

Latest coronavirus update from Llangollen Health Centre

Here is the latest coronavirus update from Llangollen Health Centre ...

COVID-19 - PATIENT UPDATE NO 5

SELF-CARE ADVICE

This is general advice for anyone who is self-isolating at home for 7 days because they have a high temperature or a new continuous cough. 

Drink water to keep yourself hydrated; you should drink enough during the day so your urine is a pale clear colour.

You can use paracetamol to help with fever and aches and pains.  Use this according to the instructions on the packet/label and do not exceed the recommended dose.Current guidance does not recommend the use of NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Nurofen, aspirin). 

You should only contact 111 if:

• you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
• your condition gets worse
• your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

You should remain at home until 7 days after the onset of your symptoms. After 7 days, if you feel better and no longer have a high temperature, you can return to your normal routine. If you have not had any signs of improvement and have not already sought medical advice, you should contact NHS Direct Wales online. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111.

There is further advice on self-isolation on the Public Health Wales website:

https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/

Town council launches task force to help people during virus crisis

* Llangollen Town Hall from where the Good Neighbour scheme is being co-ordinated.

* Now with updated contact email - see the foot of story

Llangollen Town Council has launched a special scheme to help those most in need of support during the coronavirus crisis.

Good Neighbours aims to recruit a task force of people who can provide transport, run errands and prepare meals for the elderly and vulnerable in the area.

The intention, says the council, is to lend a hand to emergency services which may find it hard to cope as the number of those struck down by the virus continues to mount.   

In a statement issued early this morning (Monday) the town mayor, Cllr Jon Haddy, says: “Following a recent meeting with the South Wrexham cluster of GP Practices, which includes the Llangollen Surgery, the Town Council are working with other Community Councils and Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council to establish a Good Neighbour Scheme for those in need of help and support.

“Volunteers will be needed to replace some of the services offered by the Social Services and other professional care agencies, as their staff resources may well be stretched due to a number of their own personnel being affected by the virus and not being able to attend work.

“Volunteers would therefore be deployed to free health professionals, and other agencies, to target their support for individuals within the community that need a higher level of intervention.

“Therefore, the priority for any good neighbour scheme during the current COVID-19 would be to:

·         Providing transport.

·         Run errands, shopping or collecting prescriptions.

·         Preparing emergency meals.

·         Cooking meals.

·         Visiting or befriending.

·         Providing cover for carers."

And referring to schemes such as the Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group started on Facebook recently by Bethan Mascarenhas of the Old Vicarage Care Home, the statement adds: “The Town Council recognised the efforts of individuals and businesses who’ve already have established support mechanisms on social media platforms and will ensure that they are linked with the good neighbour scheme.

“It is very welcoming to see such initiatives coming forward within the Llangollen community, but one would not expect any less from such a caring and compassionate community that we are all fortunate to live in.”

* Those who wish to get involved the in Good Neighbour scheme are asked to contact any town councillor or to email: covid-19@llangollentowncouncil.gov.uk

Businesses reminded to vote in BID ballot

Businesses across town above a rateable value of £2,500 are currently voting on whether they wish to be involved in the Llangollen Business Improvement District (BID).

David Davies, former chair of Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism, has sent in this reminder of the deadline for voting:

"BID voting forms deadline

Reminder –

Deadline for receipt of voting forms is Thursday 19^th March

If you have not yet posted your vote, post it NOW

If you have still not received a voting form, with small brown envelope for return, then  email NOW to: bids@cesvotes.com, giving your name, business name and address, your vote Yes or No,  proof of your ID and your phone contact number.

Your vote counts  - don’t miss out !"