On-the-go between meetings or just looking to change your ‘work-from-home’ routine? Here are our favourite laptop friendly places around London
COVID-19 UK FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Are you getting all the help available to you?
As creative practitioners, we are aware it can be difficult to navigate between financial options available depending on your status. Make sure you are getting all the financial help available to you by using the table below. We will keep on updating it with new resources to always provide the most up-to-date financial support info for you!
* If you have another employment paid through PAYE your employer may be able to get support using the Job Retention Scheme.
COVID-19 UK FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Are you getting all the help available to you?
As creative practitioners, we are aware it can be difficult to navigate between financial options available depending on your status. Make sure you are getting all the financial help available to you by using the table below. We will keep on updating it with new resources to always provide the most up-to-date financial support info for you!
* If you have another employment paid through PAYE your employer may be able to get support using the Job Retention Scheme.
The Creators
The Creative
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Universal Credit (1)
You may be able to get Universal Credit if: • you’re on a low income or out of work • you’re 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17) • you’re under State Pension age • you and your partner have £16,000 or less in savings between you • you live in the UK
If you have employees, you can claim for 80% of their wages plus any employer National Insurance and pension contributions, if you have put them on furlough because of coronavirus. If you have an other employment paid through PAYE your employer may be able to get support using the Job Retention Scheme.
Claim back Statutory Sick Pay paid to employees due to coronavirus (3)
The repayment will cover up to 2 weeks starting from the first day of sickness, if an employee is unable to work because they either: have coronavirus, cannot work because they are self-isolating at home or are shielding in line with public health guidance.
You can claim if you’re a self-employed individual or a member of a partnership and you: • have submitted your Self Assessment tax return for the tax year 2018 to 2019 • traded in the tax year 2019 to 2020 • are trading when you apply, or would be except for coronavirus • intend to continue to trade in the tax year 2020 to 2021 • have lost trading pro ts due to coronavirus • your trading profits must also be no more than £50,000 and more than half of your total income
Small Business Grant Fund (SBGF) & Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF) (7)
Small Business Grant Fund Eligibility: • Businesses with a property that on the 11 March 2020 were eligible for Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) Scheme. • Businesses which on 11 March 2020 were eligible for relief under the Rural Rate Relief • Scheme are also eligible for this scheme. Eligible recipients will receive one grant per property.
Hospitality and Leisure Grand Fund Eligibility: • Properties which on the 11 March 2020 had a rateable value of less than £51,000 and would have been eligible for a discount under the business rates • Expanded Retail Discount Scheme had that scheme been in force are eligible for the grant. • Charities which would otherwise meet this criteria but whose bill for 11 March had been reduced to nil by a local discretionary award should still be considered to be eligible for the RHL grant. • Recipients will receive one grant per eligible property
No need to do anything you’ll be contacted by HRMC if you’re eligible
You could be eligible if you’re on a low income or claim benefits. Your bill could be reduced by up to 100%. You can apply if you own your home, rent, are unemployed or working.
You can claim if you’re a self-employed individual or a member of a partnership and you: • have submitted your Self Assessment tax return for the tax year 2018 to 2019 • traded in the tax year 2019 to 2020 • are trading when you apply, or would be except for coronavirus • intend to continue to trade in the tax year2020 to 2021 • have lost trading profits due to coronavirus
You will need to confirm to HMRC that your business has been adversely affected by coronavirus. HMRC will as usual use a risk based approach to compliance.
Your trading profits must also be no more than £50,000 and more than half of your total income for either: • the tax year 2018 to 2019 • the average of the tax years 2016 to 2017, 2017 to 2018, and 2018 to 2019
You’re eligible if: • your business is based in the UK • your business has an annual turnover of up to £45 million • your business has a borrowing proposal which the lender would consider viable, if not for the coronavirus pandemic • you can self-certify that your business has been adversely impacted by coronavirus
We've compiled a list of grants and prizes available to UK residents, which you can filter by creative industry, to make sure you're seeing grants that are relevant to your practice. We'll be doing our best to keep this list up-to-date with the latest grants and initiatives to support creatives around the UK. All grants listed are open for applications and are automatically removed after the deadline.
If you are feeling anxious, wondering what the coronavirus crisis means for your practice, feel free to reach out to us at any time. We’re not experts, but we’re happy to share our knowledge and to try to help you stay optimistic during these tough times. You can contact us from our website chat or on any social media.
The scheme helps small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between £2,000 and up to 25% of their turnover. The maximum loan available is £50,000. The government guarantees 100% of the loan and there won’t be any fees or interest to pay for the first 12 months. After 12 months the interest rate will be 2.5% a year. You can apply for a loan if your business: • is based in the UK was established before 1 March 2020 • has been adversely impacted by the coronavirus
You may be able to get Universal Credit if: • you’re on a low income or out of work • you’re 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17) • you’re under State Pension age • you and your partner have £16,000 or less in savings between you • you live in the UK
You could be eligible if you’re on a low income or claim benefits. Your bill could be reduced by up to 100%. You can apply if you own your home, rent, are unemployed or working.
If you have employees, you can claim for 80% of their wages plus any employer National Insurance and pension contributions, if you have put them on furlough because of coronavirus. If you have an other employment paid through PAYE your employer may be able to get support using the Job Retention Scheme.
Claim back Statutory Sick Pay paid to employees due to coronavirus (3)
The repayment will cover up to 2 weeks starting from the first day of sickness, if an employee is unable to work because they either: have coronavirus, cannot work because they are self-isolating at home or are shielding in line with public health guidance.
You can claim if you’re a self-employed individual or a member of a partnership and you: • have submitted your Self Assessment tax return for the tax year 2018 to 2019 • traded in the tax year 2019 to 2020 • are trading when you apply, or would be except for coronavirus • intend to continue to trade in the tax year2020 to 2021 • have lost trading profits due to coronavirus
You will need to confirm to HMRC that your business has been adversely affected by coronavirus. HMRC will as usual use a risk based approach to compliance.
Your trading profits must also be no more than £50,000 and more than half of your total income for either: • the tax year 2018 to 2019 • the average of the tax years 2016 to 2017, 2017 to 2018, and 2018 to 2019
You can claim if you’re a self-employed individual or a member of a partnership and you: • have submitted your Self Assessment tax return for the tax year 2018 to 2019 • traded in the tax year 2019 to 2020 • are trading when you apply, or would be except for coronavirus • intend to continue to trade in the tax year 2020 to 2021 • have lost trading pro ts due to coronavirus • your trading profits must also be no more than £50,000 and more than half of your total income
You’re eligible if: • your business is based in the UK • your business has an annual turnover of up to £45 million • your business has a borrowing proposal which the lender would consider viable, if not for the coronavirus pandemic • you can self-certify that your business has been adversely impacted by coronavirus
Small Business Grant Fund (SBGF) & Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF) (7)
Small Business Grant Fund Eligibility: • Businesses with a property that on the 11 March 2020 were eligible for Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) Scheme. • Businesses which on 11 March 2020 were eligible for relief under the Rural Rate Relief • Scheme are also eligible for this scheme. Eligible recipients will receive one grant per property.
Hospitality and Leisure Grand Fund Eligibility: • Properties which on the 11 March 2020 had a rateable value of less than £51,000 and would have been eligible for a discount under the business rates • Expanded Retail Discount Scheme had that scheme been in force are eligible for the grant. • Charities which would otherwise meet this criteria but whose bill for 11 March had been reduced to nil by a local discretionary award should still be considered to be eligible for the RHL grant. • Recipients will receive one grant per eligible property
No need to do anything you’ll be contacted by HRMC if you’re eligible
We've compiled a list of grants and prizes available to UK residents, which you can filter by creative industry, to make sure you're seeing grants that are relevant to your practice. We'll be doing our best to keep this list up-to-date with the latest grants and initiatives to support creatives around the UK. All grants listed are open for applications and are automatically removed after the deadline.
If you are feeling anxious, wondering what the coronavirus crisis means for your practice, feel free to reach out to us at any time. We’re not experts, but we’re happy to share our knowledge and to try to help you stay optimistic during these tough times. You can contact us from our website chat or on any social media.
The scheme helps small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between £2,000 and up to 25% of their turnover. The maximum loan available is £50,000. The government guarantees 100% of the loan and there won’t be any fees or interest to pay for the first 12 months. After 12 months the interest rate will be 2.5% a year. You can apply for a loan if your business: • is based in the UK was established before 1 March 2020 • has been adversely impacted by the coronavirus
On-the-go between meetings? Tired of hot desking? Or just looking to change your ‘working-from-home’ routine? I know freelancers are often on the hunt for new places to work from. After many years of nomadic freelancing, I started gathering a list of laptop friendly places in London that I thought would be great to share, along with the price of a coffee and the best time to go for work.
For our first edition of ‘The best places to work from’ I wanted to share my favourite places to do business from around East London, home of SSSHAKE. From Shoreditch to Cambridge Heath and Hackney Wick, here are some of my best-loved cafes, all laptop friendly with fast wifi.
On top of having a great playlist, a fast wifi, comfy sofas and many plugs available, Barber & Parlour serves food and drinks all-day and you will (almost) always find a place to sit. There is also an hairdresser/spa in the second floor and a Cinema in the basement in case you need a break!
Great vibe, relaxed atmosphere, both desk with central plugs and comfy sofas are available. However make sure you arrive early as the place tend to be quite busy during the afternoon.
On top of serving wholesome and filling breakfast plates and very good (and affordable) coffee, Hackney Bureau tends to be quiet during the day and has plenty of plugs available behind the tables which makes it a great spot to work from. Note that the place is CASH ONLY.
Coffee from £2.00
Best time to work: Anytime
Stop: Cambridge Heath
4/ Look mum no hands
49 Old St, London EC1V 9HX
Perfect location if you are working by yourself thanks to the numerous street facing high tables available. Not ideal to work in group as the large tables are laptop free. Great coffee, awesome burgers, and the feeling that you are part of a bike club.
Coffee from £2.40
Best time to work: AM or PM (lunchtime tends to be quite busy)
With its plants, unrefined wood and brass details, Wringer and Mangle could be the poster child of the East London cafes. Thanks to its extensive menu of goodness, the place is packed around lunch time so be aware that it gets really busy and loud around that time.
Coffee from £1.50
Best time to work: Morning
Stop: London Fields
6/ The Book Club
100–106 Leonard St, London EC2A 4RH
Good coffee and even better cocktails (little afterwork?). The book club is a relaxed and cosy place to work from where you can find ping pong tables in case you want to activate your brain (and body).
Super busy around lunch time but it gets quieter during the afternoon. They serve one of my favourite coffees in London and their snacks are delicious and available all day. The place is quite noisy so bring your headphones if you need some peace and quiet.
Overlooking Regent’s Canal, Number 90 is famous for its chilled and relaxed atmosphere during the day and party vibes in the evening. Its huge terrace makes it the perfect place to work from in Summer.
Original exposed yellow stock bricks, double-height ceilings and their beautiful design aesthetic make this space one of East London’s best kept secrets. Top-end coffee throughout the day and cocktails in the evenings, as well as sweet and salty snacks served throughout the day.
Famous for its Wednesdays Jazz jam session, Grow is a laid back venue that kept its warehouse identity strong, boosting high ceilings and lots of natural light. Its terrace is packed with plants and is a great place to work while overlooking the canal.
On-the-go between meetings? Tired of hot desking? Or just looking to change your ‘working-from-home’ routine? I know freelancers are often on the hunt for new places to work from. After many years of nomadic freelancing, I started gathering a list of laptop friendly places in London that I thought would be great to share, along with the price of a coffee and the best time to go for work.
For our first edition of ‘The best places to work from’ I wanted to share my favourite places to do business from around East London, home of SSSHAKE. From Shoreditch to Cambridge Heath and Hackney Wick, here are some of my best-loved cafes, all laptop friendly with fast wifi.
On top of having a great playlist, a fast wifi, comfy sofas and many plugs available, Barber & Parlour serves food and drinks all-day and you will (almost) always find a place to sit. There is also an hairdresser/spa in the second floor and a Cinema in the basement in case you need a break!
Great vibe, relaxed atmosphere, both desk with central plugs and comfy sofas are available. However make sure you arrive early as the place tend to be quite busy during the afternoon.
On top of serving wholesome and filling breakfast plates and very good (and affordable) coffee, Hackney Bureau tends to be quiet during the day and has plenty of plugs available behind the tables which makes it a great spot to work from. Note that the place is CASH ONLY.
Coffee from £2.00
Best time to work: Anytime
Stop: Cambridge Heath
4/ Look mum no hands
49 Old St, London EC1V 9HX
Perfect location if you are working by yourself thanks to the numerous street facing high tables available. Not ideal to work in group as the large tables are laptop free. Great coffee, awesome burgers, and the feeling that you are part of a bike club.
Coffee from £2.40
Best time to work: AM or PM (lunchtime tends to be quite busy)
With its plants, unrefined wood and brass details, Wringer and Mangle could be the poster child of the East London cafes. Thanks to its extensive menu of goodness, the place is packed around lunch time so be aware that it gets really busy and loud around that time.
Coffee from £1.50
Best time to work: Morning
Stop: London Fields
6/ The Book Club
100–106 Leonard St, London EC2A 4RH
Good coffee and even better cocktails (little afterwork?). The book club is a relaxed and cosy place to work from where you can find ping pong tables in case you want to activate your brain (and body).
Super busy around lunch time but it gets quieter during the afternoon. They serve one of my favourite coffees in London and their snacks are delicious and available all day. The place is quite noisy so bring your headphones if you need some peace and quiet.
Overlooking Regent’s Canal, Number 90 is famous for its chilled and relaxed atmosphere during the day and party vibes in the evening. Its huge terrace makes it the perfect place to work from in Summer.
Original exposed yellow stock bricks, double-height ceilings and their beautiful design aesthetic make this space one of East London’s best kept secrets. Top-end coffee throughout the day and cocktails in the evenings, as well as sweet and salty snacks served throughout the day.
Famous for its Wednesdays Jazz jam session, Grow is a laid back venue that kept its warehouse identity strong, boosting high ceilings and lots of natural light. Its terrace is packed with plants and is a great place to work while overlooking the canal.
And finally, if you can, donate, sign and share - it can go a long way. Here are links to relevant charities and petitions (donating if you can, or signing and sharing petitions is great immediate help).