The following information has been supplied via South Lakeland District Council.  More general information can be found on the SLDC website link:  www.investinsouthlakeland.co.uk/news/article/590/December-Floods-Information/

SLDC Business Rates – All premises are exempt for 3 months if empty. Industrial premises receive up to 6 months if they become empty. We would only be seeking to confirm whether the flooding had affected the whole premises and preventing any trade from the site. Consideration will be given, where appropriate, to extend these periods via means of a local scheme which is awaiting approval, specific to the flooding. Contact SLDC Taxation Team 01539 793245 or counciltax@southlakeland.gov.uk

Time To Pay – This scheme allows affected businesses additional time to pay taxes to HMRC, including VAT, PAYE and corporation tax. For further details contact the HMRC hotline on 0800 904 7900, set up for those who have been affected by flooding and may have difficulties in meeting their tax liabilities. To apply to the Time To Pay Scheme call 0300 200 3835 and discuss with an adviser.

Federation of Small Businesses For Members: for insurance related issues, irrespective of being a policy-holder, contact FSB Insurance on 0345 762 6158. Contact the Legal Advice Line on 03450 727 727 for any legal aspects to the flood and clean-up. The legal documents section of the website also has useful support (log-in required) www.fsb.org.uk For Non- Members: call FSB Insurance Advice Line on 03450 727 727 and speak to Steve Dawson. For employment support: contact Brian Harrison on brian@bandmharrison.co.uk or 01539 730382 For practical support: contact Paul Foster on paul.foster@fsb.org.uk or 07917 628909.
Cumbria Tourism – Working with FSB to ensure the impact of the tourism sector is fully captured, and assisted with Government financial support. Please complete it here: https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=144948183547
Helpful guidance and updates on the floods are here www.cumbriatourism.org/home/december-floods-guidance. A helpline is available for affected businesses, contact 01539 822222 or info@cumbriatourism.org

United Utilities – Water bills are being suspended for customers who have been forced from their premises, businesses should contact 0345 072 6072. Customers will need to supply a temporary address along with the flooded address. For any water or wastewater issues, call 0345 6723 723. www.unitedutilities.com/emergencies-incidents.aspx corporate.unitedutilities.com/news-media.aspx
Electricity North West – Emergency Contact 0800 195 4141 or email enquiries@enwl.co.uk, tweet @ElectricityNW
Cumbria County Council – contact 01228 606060

Cumbria Police – Anyone with any concerns regarding their affected business or premises such as crime prevention can contact Cumbria Police on the non-emergency number 101.
Environment Agency – Graham McKee 07768 904816 or 0870 8506506 SLDC Liaison Officers (Environmental Health) contact Sean Hall 01539 793411 or Tom McCormick 01539 793416.

Food Safety – if your food business has been flooded there could be a serious risk to public health from infection and food contamination. Do not prepare any food or reopen the establishment until the premises have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. The flood water may be heavily contaminated with sewerage, harmful bacteria and other pollutants such as petrol. Contact SLDC Environmental Health on 01539 793473.

Farming Recovery Fund – details have been released, up to £20,000 can be claimed to help restore damaged agricultural land, please call DEFRA Rural Services helpline on 03000 200 301.

Association of British Insurers (ABI) – Advice and guidance including details on accessing flood insurance, preparing for and recovering from flooding, and some useful videos and webinars. Visit www.abi.org.uk/Insurance-and-savings/Topics-and-issues/Flooding/Recovering-from-a-flood.

Waste Collection Cumbria County Council – waste support line for SMEs affected by the flooding and without insurances or commercial waste carrier, call 0845 055 1118 for assistance. South Lakes Waste and Recycling Centres (permits currently suspended for vans): – Rothay Holme, Ambleside: 8am to 6pm, 7 days a week – Allithwaite Road, Grange-over-Sands: open 8am to 4pm, Thursday, Friday and Saturday – Canal Head North, Kendal: open 8am to 6pm, 7 days a week – Morecambe Road, Ulverston: open 8am to 6pm, 7 days a week Cumbria Waste – Carlisle office 0845 241 3333, or Mark Wilson (South Lakes) 07557 923918. Available for electrical good collection and food waste. Skips are currently unavailable. B&J Metals – Various skip sizes available. Commercial, food waste collections. Hiab and driver available for larger items. Speak to John on 01539 729508. L&W Wilson – Dumper trucks, 3, 5 and 8-tonne excavators with rubber tracks, rubber duck (wheeled, drivable excavators) for access to hard to reach areas. Contact Alan Wilson on 015396 67601. Metcalfe Brothers (015396 20996) and Chaplows (01539 720358) – Industrial strength road sweepers available Generators – Central Power Services Ltd 0199 564 2600 or 0845 437 9750. Generator Power 01924 220055 or 0845 601 2187. Gibsons 01539 721721. Dehumidifiers – ScrewFix 0500 41 41 41. Pumps – Hartley Hire – Beezon Road, Kendal 01539 741919, Windermere 015394 45406.

Temporary Office Space, Meeting Rooms and Warehousing
Paul Evans at Hyde Harrington on 01539 740500 or 07500448611 for office space.
Mandy Dixon at K Village on 01539 732363 for retail space.
Temporary office space call Peill & Co on 01539 888000, email admin@peill.com.
Quaker Tapestry has limited meeting room space, contact 01539 722975.
Dallam Tower Estate, warehouse/office space, contact Julian on 015395 63368.
Limited warehouse/storage space at Mealbank Industrial Estate, contact Paul Proctor on 01539 731091.
Ambleside Campus (University of Cumbria) have some offices available for rent for SMEs, contact 015394 30224 for more information.
For further information, please contact Invest in South Lakeland on 01539 793280
Storage space is available at K-Village, please contact Mandy Dixon on 01539 732363.
For further information, visit www.investinsouthlakeland.co.uk/why-south-lakeland/property/ and contact local agents directly for any land and premises enquiries.
Advertising
Offers of free print and radio advertising to support flood affected businesses have been made by Bay Radio (contact bill.johnston@thebay.co.uk or 01524 848747), Lakeland Radio (contact tony.johnson@cnradio.co.uk) and Windermere Now (LA22 and LA23 businesses, contact info@windermerenow.co.uk).
Spirit of Cumbria (Community offers): Online Forum for community help requests and offers of help. Set up by CN Media, please visit www.spiritofcumbria.co.uk/
The Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund (for employees): Initial hardship grants of £500 can be applied for by completing the online application form www.cumbriafoundation.org