During the first 12 months of Covid, businesses had the toughest period for generations. Yet in this time, we saw the rise of the ‘lockdown entrepreneur’ as over 800,000 new businesses were set up.
We joined this groundswell of hope and launched Plusnet’s That’ll Do Stars to champion the people who have taken the plunge during the lockdown, demonstrating grit and that’ll do spirit. Any business that successfully launched since March 2020 qualified to win Plusnet’s That’ll Do Star – a recognition from Plusnet that they could wear like a badge of honour. And to help small businesses maintain growth, we launched a new guide with expert advice.
Check out our That’ll Do Stars Business Guide 2021 here. That’ll Do Stars Biz Guide 2021 (pdf – 971kb).
3D Toyshop – Nick Hardman
This inspirational dad turned a hobby into a business and is now bringing comfort to children around the world living with medical conditions. Nick Hardman, who is from Leeds, began making PPE with his 3D printer at the start of the pandemic. But when there was no longer a shortage, he switched to making toys through his 3D Toy Shop.
The special teddy bears he makes normalise medical conditions for children. Some of the youngsters who receive the bears are suffering from rare brain conditions while others are undergoing lifesaving care.
AerosolShield – Matthew Campbell-Hill
Matthew Campbell-Hill set up Aerosol Shield to help protect the lives of healthcare workers through a £40 pop-up isolation tent that acts as a barrier between staff and patients which has been hailed as a potential ‘game changer’ for NHS staff.
AerosolShield, based at the University of Birmingham's research park, is now scaling up production of its product. The tents can be deployed in seconds to cover the head and shoulders of a patient during aerosol-generating procedures such as intubation, nebulisation or CPR, protecting NHS staff and carers from Covid-19 and other infections.
HAUL Beer – Paul and Hannah Tunnicliffe
Husband-and-wife team Hannah and Paul Tunnicliffe are today able to raise a glass to the future - thanks to an exciting business launch during the pandemic. The pair run Haul Beer, which sells a range of independent craft beers and ciders both online and in store.
They opened the Stourbridge business in August 2020 as a take-out bottle shop, receiving a fantastic response from the local community with their selection of craft beers and ciders from independent breweries both in the UK and worldwide. They also have a website where customers can purchase online for delivery, free click and collect or curb side pick-up if required.
Laura’s Fit Loves – Laura Kendrew
Entrepreneur Laura Kendrew is fighting fit despite the pandemic - and has created a growing business. The 29-year-old used lockdown to help women around the world and has amassed more than 30,000 followers on Instagram.
Through her business Laura’s Fit Loves, she offers motivational fitness pictures and tips - and encourages women to step outside their comfort zone and "try weight lifting". Laura quit her job as a teacher in 2018 to pursue her passion for fitness, but when the pandemic began, she decided to take her fitness business online - offering online coaching sessions and workout plans.
LIDS (Liverpool Independent Delivered Services) – Dave Critchley
Last year TV chef Dave Critchley saw his Lu Ban restaurant in Liverpool close due to Covid-19. Having worked with a group of amazing local independent suppliers for many years, Dave, who recently appeared on BBC’s Great British Menu, decided to bring together some of the biggest and best-loved traders in Liverpool.
LIDS allows customers to buy from a range of retailers in one place and have items delivered straight to their doors. Alongside his passion for supporting local business, Dave has also worked with food banks throughout his career and with LIDS is working to get quality food to those most in need in the community.
Misty’s Patisserie – Misty Green
Misty Green has had quite a year. Last March she gave birth to her fourth child, and she then launched a new business amid a global pandemic. But despite the challenges, Misty’s Patisserie has been a runaway success. She has big ambitions for the business, including workshops to teach children how to bake.
The business has made Misty realise life is too short to hold back on your dreams and she is now fully focused on expanding after receiving a brilliant response from the community who loves her sweet treats and cakes.
Sugar Rush Sweeties – Harry Lynch and Tayla Harris
Entrepreneurs Harry Lynch and Tayla Harris are toasting sweet success. The Instagrammers launched their business Sugar Rush Sweeties in lockdown and opened their first shop in Leeds. They received a brilliant response from the community and created up to eight jobs for local residents.
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the business has ended up becoming the biggest counter and online seller of sweets in Yorkshire - with orders almost doubling during lockdown. The couple opened their first city centre store this Summer selling more than 150 varieties of sweets.
Talk Twenties – Gaby Mendes
Gaby Mendes has one simple yet crucial aim which exists at the heart of her business - supporting others. The 25-year-old former teacher from The Wirral started her business Talk Twenties last year to help young people transition into adulthood.
Talk Twenties offers resources, training aids and life-coaching courses based on Gabby’s own experiences. She also produces a podcast which has reached just shy of 10,000 downloads in 10 months..
Here's the legal bit
You can see our full business terms and conditions here. Unless otherwise stated, all prices exclude VAT at 20%.
° The price for broadband, line rental, call plans and call charges will be increased each March from 2022 by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate of inflation published by the Office for National Statistics in January of that year plus 3.9%. Other prices, content and terms may also change during your contract. See our Business CPI Plus 3.9% Guide for details.
Line rental is included in all our broadband packages. Standard line rental prices are £17.50 a month (line only, no calls included). The standard line rental price, or where applicable the discounted line rental price, is included in the package price.
Unlimited Business Fibre Broadband (12 and 24 month contracts)
Prices and terms are subject to change during your contract.
For new Plusnet Business customers that sign up for 12 or 24 months (as appropriate). Line rental is included in the price (line only, no calls included). Price from month 13 or 25 (as appropriate) currently £30.00 a month (incl. line rental). Compatible line required otherwise a £50.00 installation charge may apply to 12 month contracts (excluding any external construction charges). We'll include a wireless router (£4.99 P&P applies). If you choose to end your service within the minimum period, you will have to pay an early termination charge.
Subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. No cash alternative. Exclusions and terms apply.
Unlimited Broadband (12 and 24 month contracts)
Price and terms are subject to change during your contract.
For new Plusnet Business customers that sign up for 12 or 24 months (as appropriate). Line rental is included in the price (line only, no calls included). Price from month 13 or 25 (as appropriate) currently £23.50 a month (incl. line rental). Compatible line required otherwise a £50.00 installation charge may apply (excluding any external construction charges). We'll include a wireless router (£4.99 P&P applies). If you choose to end your service within the minimum period, you will have to pay an early termination charge.
The date your broadband and line rental activates, or where your services do not activate at the same time, the service that activates first, will be used as your monthly billing date. If your broadband or line rental service are not activated at the same time, for the service that is activated at a later date, charges will be prorated for the first month and any applicable discounts for that service will apply once the service starts.
Subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. No cash alternative. Exclusions and terms apply.
Existing customers
Please see our charges schedule, log into your account in the Member Centre or call us on 0800 023 2221 to discuss your contract.
Speeds
Φ Broadband speed is described as 'up to' because your actual speeds will vary. We'll give you the best download speed available on your line up to 17Mb. Your actual speed will be dependent on your location, phone line, wiring, Wi-Fi connection and time of day. Find out why speeds vary. Check your speed and products available at your location via 'check availability' on our home page.
† Fibre broadband speed is described as 'up to' because your actual speeds will vary. We'll give you the best download speed available on your line up to 76Mb and upload speed up to 19Mb. Your actual speed will be dependent on your location, phone line, wiring, Wi-Fi connection and time of day. Find out why speeds vary. Check your speed and products available at your location via 'check availability' on our home page.
Service Levels
For details of the provisioning and in-life fault service levels provided with our broadband and fibre broadband service see Business Broadband and Fibre Broadband service levels.
For details of the provisioning and in-life fault service levels provided with our line rental service see Business Phone service levels.
Broadband Extras
Plusnet SafeGuard
Included with all of our broadband packages, Plusnet SafeGuard filters inappropriate web content for your household. Further information about Plusnet SafeGuard can be found here.
Enhanced Care
Provides a one hour response time with a 24 hour resolution for broadband faults. Terms apply, further information about Enhanced Care can be found here. Subject to an additional monthly charge. Please see our charges schedule for details.
Business UK Unlimited calls
Anytime calls: Calls of up to an hour to UK landlines beginning with 01, 02, 03, 0845 and 0870 numbers at any time (except calls to indirect access numbers (which include calling cards) and dial-up internet access). Calls must be started and finished within these times to be inclusive (non-chargeable). A fair usage limit of 150 calls or 1000 minutes a month (whichever is reached first) applies to calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers (if you exceed this limit, we have the right to charge you for further calls made, suspend and/or terminate your service in accordance with our terms and conditions).
Mobile calls: Calls of up to an hour to UK mobiles and 070 personal numbering services made at any time. Calls must be started and finished within these times to be inclusive (non-chargeable). Some 07 numbers do not constitute mobile numbers and may not be included as part of an inclusive mobile package.
Business UK Unlimited and International 500 calls
Anytime calls: Calls of up to an hour to UK landlines beginning with 01, 02, 03, 0845 and 0870 numbers at any time (except calls to indirect access numbers (which include calling cards) and dial-up internet access). Calls must be started and finished within these times to be inclusive (non-chargeable). A fair usage limit of 150 calls or 1000 minutes a month (whichever is reached first) applies to calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers (if you exceed this limit, we have the right to charge you for further calls made, suspend and/or terminate your service in accordance with our terms and conditions).
Mobile calls: Calls of up to an hour to UK mobiles and 070 personal numbering services made at any time. Calls must be started and finished within these times to be inclusive (non-chargeable). Some 07 numbers do not constitute mobile numbers and may not be included as part of an inclusive mobile package.
500 minutes: Means 500 inclusive minutes to USA mobiles, Canada mobiles and all landlines listed in our top 35 international destinations. Hang up and re-dial before 60 minutes and you won't be charged. For more information see our Business Call Tariff guide.
25% discount to top 35 international destinations: Get a 25% discount on chargeable calls to all countries listed in our top 35 international destinations. For more information see our Business Call Tariff guide.
Other call information
Service calls outside of your inclusive minutes: The charge for calls to service numbers beginning 084, 087, 09 and 118 consists of a 7.98p per minute access charge from Plusnet, plus a service charge set by the company you called. For more information visit www.plus.net/business/ukcalling.
Calls to Plusnet Support and other Plusnet line rental customers are included in all line rental packages. Calls to other Plusnet phone customers are included for the first hour. Hang up and re-dial before 60 minutes and you won't be charged.
For more information on our charges, see our charges schedule.
For more information on call plans, see our Business Call Tariff guide.
Phone Line Extras
Voicemail
1571 Voicemail: Included as standard, our answer phone-style feature takes messages when you can't get to the phone.
Voicemail Extra: This advanced voicemail service lets you record your own greeting, store up to 30 messages and listen to them when you're not at home. Voicemail Extra costs £3 a month. Further information about Voicemail Extra can be found here.
Caller Display
See the number of the person who is calling you (you'll need a phone that supports this service). Further information about Caller Display can be found here. Subject to availability.
Plusnet Call Protect
Included in all line rental packages, this blocks nuisance calls on your landline and sends them straight into your junk voicemail. Further information about Plusnet Call Protect can be found here. Subject to availability.
Call Divert
Direct your incoming calls to any UK landline, mobile and even most overseas destinations. Costs £2.50 a month (plus the cost of the onward call if chargeable). Further information about Plusnet Call Divert can be found here.
Anonymous Call Reject
Block calls from anyone who withholds their number. Costs £4.00 a month. Further information about Anonymous Call Reject can be found here.
Our specialist, UK-based support is available 24/7 on 0800 028 0282
Sales: 0800 023 2221
9am - 5.30pm
Monday - Friday