Businesses

November 20, 2020

Grant payments for businesses affected by local and national restrictions.

The government has asked councils to administer four grant schemes to businesses that have been affected by the Tier 2 and national lockdown restrictions.

The eligibility criteria for the non-discretionary schemes have been defined by central government are fully funded for the grants paid.

Local Restrictions Support Grant (for business that have had to close)

This is a non-discretionary scheme. Grants can be paid to businesses that pay business rates and that have had to close because of government regulations during the national lockdown. This includes non-essential retail, leisure, personal care, sports facilities and hospitality businesses.

The grant amounts are dependent on rateable value range for the current national lockdown period from 5 November to 2 December:

Rateable Value  Grant amount

Rateable value of below £15,001

£1,334

Rateable value of between £15,001 to £50,999

£2,000

Rateable value of over £50,999

£3,000

The council’s Business Rates Team has the data it needs to administer the scheme and has contacted the eligible businesses. There is an online application form and there is no need to contact the council.

Local Restrictions Support Grant (sector)

This is a non-discretionary grant for nightclubs and sexual entertainment venues that have had to close since 23 March 2020.

The government has asked local authorities to pay grants for the 4-day period from 1 November to 4 November and subsequently after the national lockdown. During the national lockdown these businesses will be entitled to the Local Restriction Support Grant (for businesses that have had to close)

The grant amounts are dependent on rateable value range for “14 day” periods:

Rateable Value  Grant amount

Rateable value of below £15,001

£667

Rateable value of between £15,001 to £50,999

£1,000

Rateable value of over £50,999

£1,500

The council has the data it needs to administer the scheme and will be contacting eligible businesses. There is no need to contact the council.

Addtional grant schemes

As well as the two non-discretionary grants schemes, the government has allocated two pots of funding to be distributed to businesses.

Additional Restrictions Support Grant

This scheme supports businesses that:

have had to close but are not on the business rates list, for example, market traders and home-based businesses

are on the business rates list that have not been forced to close but have been affected by the restrictions resulting from the national lockdown.