Flooding latest

14 Aug 2007

Thankfully, the flood waters have receded around Oxfordshire and although it is not quite “business as usual” the message from Oxfordshire is very much “open for business” says Keith Slater of Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce. 
Helen Ryan, Tourism Officer for Oxfordshire repeats the message that the floods have gone and the sun is shining (today anyway) in the County: “The world’s press sent pictures of Oxfordshire’s flooding around the globe but the message that the waters have gone is not quite so newsworthy”.
 

Since the floods, various support functions have been set up to help those businesses affected. Below is a brief summary of support available:

 

National

HMRC - Tax Flexibility - 0845 3000 157 - www.hmrc.gov.uk

ABI - Insurance Issues (inc loss adjustment & reputable traders for repairs) - 020 7600 3333 [info@abi.org.uk] - www.abi.org.uk/floodinfo (www.trustmark.org.uk for reputable traders in repair work)

FSB - Interest Free Loans to members of up to £5,000 - www.fsb.org.uk - enquiries through regional office - contact Karen Durcan 0118 945 684 [ro.thamesvalley@fsb.org.uk]

Environment Agency - Waste arising from flooding, collection & disposal - customer service line 0800 80 70 60 - www.environment-agency.gov.uk/waste and www.environment-agency.gov.uk/dutyofcare

 

Regional - SEEDA

SMEs Support - Business Link - Grants of up to £2,500 (£2,000 for Farmers due to European State Aid Rules), Alternative Premises, Advice on Broadband Hotspots - All enquiries through Business Link 0845 600 9006 www.businesslink.gov.uk and details of support on SEEDA press release www.seeda.co.uk (press release also available through partner websites e.g. The Oxford Trust)

Larger Businesses - SEEDA Investor Development Manager Rob McKay - [RobMckay@seeda.co.uk]

 

Local

More local information is available from the local District Council and County Council websites:

Oxfordshire County Council - www.oxfordshire.gov.uk

West Oxfordshire District Council - www.westoxon.gov.uk

Cherwell District Council - www.cherwell-dc.gov.uk

Oxford City Council - www.oxford.gov.uk

Vale of White Horse District Council - www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk

South Oxfordshire District Council - www.southoxon.gov.uk