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Coronavirus: Swale Business Support

Find the latest Swale support for businesses in relation to COVID-19.

Coronavirus: Support for Swale businesses


On this page you can find details about coronavirus support for Swale businesses.

Government support for businesses is also available through their website.


Latest COVID-19 update

Economic Development E-bulletin

We will be using the economic development e-bulletin to continue to provide updates about business support.

Please encourage contacts and other local businesses to sign up for the e-bulletin so that as many businesses as possible can be kept informed.  If they would like to subscribe to receive the e-bulletin in their inbox, they just need to email economicdevelopment@swale.gov.uk and we will add them to our mailing list.

We will also continue to provide regular updates through the Swale Borough Council website, the Swale Means Business website and the Council’s social media accounts.

Working safely

The government has provided a range of guidance to help companies make their workplace safe:

Test and trace

Although it is no longer a legal requirement for businesses to display an NHS QR code or request that customers, visitors and staff ‘check in’, the government has encouraged businesses to keep this measure in place to support test and trace.

Visitors to your venue can check in by scanning the NHS QR code poster via their NHS COVID-19 app or by providing their contact details.

The following sectors have been asked to maintain records and encourage attendees to check in:

  • hospitality, including pubs, bars, nightclubs, restaurants and cafes;
  • tourism and leisure, including theatres, museums and cinemas;
  • close contact services;
  • places of worship;
  • facilities provided by local authorities such as libraries and community centres.

There is further guidance on the government’s maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace page.

The government has also launched a new NHS Covid Pass Verifier App to support venues and businesses who would like to verify a person’s COVID-19 status. Venues can conduct a visual check of an individual’s NHS COVID Pass with security features including an animated shimmer that cannot be screen grabbed. It is a fast, secure way to scan the 2D barcode on an individual’s NHS COVID Pass and verify whether or not they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, had a negative test, or have recovered from the virus.

The app can be downloaded for mobile or tablet from the Apple App Store or Google Play.  The NHS has also created a user guide for the app.

Business rates update

Swale Borough Council has clarified the extended retail discount for 2020/21.

The government has announced that the business rates revaluation will take place in 2021, to help reduce uncertainty.  The government has published the full details on their 'business rates postponed' news story.


Business support from other organisations

  • The government's business support helpline is 0800 998 1098 between Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm;
  • The Kent and Medway Growth Hub also has a Business Recovery Helpline where you can speak to an advisor.  Their number is 03333 602300 and they are available from Monday to Friday during office hours.
  • The Federation of Small Businesses has advice about recovery on their website.
  • HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has a helpline for any businesses and self-employed people concerned about paying their tax due to coronavirus (COVID-19).  Up to 2,000 skilled call handlers are available to support businesses and individuals when needed.  The number is 0800 0159 559 and further information is available on the HMRC website.

Last update: Monday 4 April 2022.

Related links

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