As a result of tiered local restrictions and a second national lockdown, the government is providing local authorities with further funding to support local businesses.
These non-repayable grants can provide a vital lifeline for businesses who have been affected by local and/or national lockdown rules and we would encourage all businesses to check if they are eligible and apply.
So what is available?
The new Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) will provide grants of up £3,000 a month for businesses forced to close due to local or national restrictions.
The Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open) will provide grants to businesses that have not had to close but which have been severely impacted due to local restrictions. Local councils have the discretion to provide grant funding for businesses under this scheme.
An Additional Restrictions Grant will be available for businesses who have been adversely affected by local or national restrictions, but not legally required to close.
Local authorities have the ability to determine the eligibility criteria for the grants, as well as decide on the application process.
Current information on the grants available for businesses in Derby City Council, Nottingham City Council, and Birmingham City Council are detailed below*.
Grants available for businesses in Derby
LOCAL RESTRICTIONS SUPPORT GRANT (CLOSED)
The Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) is a grant for businesses that have a rateable value and have been required to close due to the national restrictions between 5 November and 2 December 2020.
For the four-week period of the national measures, eligible businesses will receive one payment per property. The rate of payment for eligible businesses will be:
- Grants of £1,334 every 4 weeks for businesses occupying properties with a rateable value of £15,000 or under which are forced to close under national restrictions
- Grants of £2,000 every 4 weeks for businesses occupying properties with a rateable value of between £15,000 – £51,000, which are forced to close under national restrictions
- Grants of £3,000 every 4 weeks for businesses occupying properties with a rateable value of £51,000, which are forced to close under national restrictions
ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS GRANT
The Additional Restrictions Grant is a discretionary scheme for those businesses who have been severely impacted by the new national lockdown but do not have a rateable value or have not been forced to close. The payments available for eligible businesses will be:
- Grants of £1,334 every 4 weeks for businesses that work from a shared workspace or do not own or rent their own business premises
- Grants of £2,000 every 4 weeks for businesses that own or rent their own business premises
- Grants of £3,000 every 4 weeks for businesses that own or rent their own business premises and are larger in size
As part of the application form, businesses will be required to explain the detrimental impact that the new national lockdown has had on their operations.
APPLICATIONS
Grants available for businesses in Nottingham
LOCAL RESTRICTIONS SUPPORT GRANT (CLOSED)
The Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) is a grant for businesses that have a rateable value and have been required to close due to the national restrictions between 5 November and 2 December 2020.
For the four-week period of the national measures, eligible businesses will receive one payment per property. The rate of payment for eligible businesses will be:
- Grants of £1,334 every 4 weeks for businesses occupying properties with a rateable value of £15,000 or under which are forced to close under national restrictions
- Grants of £2,000 every 4 weeks for businesses occupying properties with a rateable value of between £15,000 – £51,000, which are forced to close under national restrictions
- Grants of £3,000 every 4 weeks for businesses occupying properties with a rateable value of £51,000, which are forced to close under national restrictions
LOCAL RESTRICTIONS SUPPORT GRANT (OPEN) – TIER 2 GRANTS
Businesses affected by the previous Tier 2 restrictions will receive a grant for the period 14 October to 30 October on a pro-rated basis, at 70% of the national lockdown grant values (listed above).
LOCAL RESTRICTIONS SUPPORT GRANT (OPEN) – TIER 3 GRANTS
Businesses closed due to the previous Tier 3 restrictions between 30 October and 5 November, will receive a grant on a pro-rated basis for those 5 days at the national lockdown grant values (listed above).
DISCRETIONARY GRANTS
For small and micro businesses with no rateable value but rental costs, an equivalent grant may be payable if the business has been forced to close. Also, if the business has either a rateable value or equivalent link and is a direct supply chain to the affected closed businesses, a grant may be payable. The values will be similar to the mandatory grants (from £500 to £3,000 for the period of national lockdown).
APPLICATIONS
Click here to apply for the Nottingham grants.
You will need the following information to apply:
- Your rates account number
- Rental information
- Correct bank details
Grants available for businesses in Birmingham
LOCAL RESTRICTIONS SUPPORT GRANT (CLOSED)
The Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) is a grant for businesses that have a rateable value and have been required to close due to the national restrictions between 5 November and 2 December 2020.
For the four-week period of the national measures, eligible businesses will receive one payment per property. The grant amounts will be fixed. The rate of payment for eligible businesses will be:
- Grants of £1,334 every 4 weeks for businesses occupying properties with a rateable value of £15,000 or under which are forced to close under national restrictions
- Grants of £2,000 every 4 weeks for businesses occupying properties with a rateable value of between £15,000 – £51,000, which are forced to close under national restrictions
- Grants of £3,000 every 4 weeks for businesses occupying properties with a rateable value of £51,000, which are forced to close under national restrictions
LOCAL RESTRICTIONS SUPPORT GRANT (OPEN) – TIER 2 GRANTS
Financial support to Birmingham businesses linked to the hospitality, hotel, bed and breakfast and leisure sectors affected by the Tier 2 local restrictions which were in place from 14 October to *4 November 2020.
The following grant payments will be made for:
- Grants of up to £934 per 28 day period for businesses occupying hereditaments with a rateable value of exactly £15,000 or under on the date of the commencement of the local restrictions
- Grants of up to £1,400 per 28 day period for businesses occupying hereditaments with a rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 on the date of the commencement of the local restrictions
- Grants of up to £2,100 per 28 day period for businesses occupying hereditaments with a rateable value of exactly £51,000 or above on the date of the commencement of the local restrictions
Those businesses where the Council are unable to attribute a rateable value to their trading premises will be entitled to grants at the lower rate of £934 per 28 day period.
* A pro rata amount will be awarded for the period 14 October to 4 November 2020 (22 days).
LOCAL RESTRICTIONS SUPPORT GRANT (SECTOR)
The mandatory grant is intended to support businesses that have been required to close nationally since 23 March 2020. It may also cover any new national closures of business property types in future, such business are:
- Nightclubs, dance halls, and discotheques
- Adult entertainment venues and hostess bars
In Birmingham, this grant is applicable for the period 1 November to *4 November 2020.
The level of grant payment will be dependent on the rateable value of the premises occupied by the business as shown below:
- Rateable value £15,000 and under £667 per 14 day qualifying restriction period
- Rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 £1,000 per 14 day qualifying restriction period.
- Rateable value of exactly £51,000 or above £1,500 per 14 day qualifying restriction period
- Each application and the amount of fund will be determined on its own merits.
* A pro rata amount will be awarded for the period 1 to 4 November 2020 (4 days).
ADDITIONAL RESTRCITIONS GRANT
Businesses which do not qualify for any of the above grants could be eligible for discretionary financial support through the Additional Restrictions Grant.
This includes businesses which have been severely impacted due to government restrictions such as:
- Supply chain businesses severely impacted because they wholly or exclusively supply businesses in the hospitality, accommodation, events or leisure sectors
- Sector business that are operating in shared premises or where the landlord is liable to pay Business Rates
- Bed and Breakfast businesses which are classed as domestic and subject to Council Tax will also be eligible for support
Discretionary grant payments will be made in line with payments made to similar businesses that automatically qualify for the above grants.
APPLICATIONS
All schemes will be open for applications from Wednesday 25th November 2020.
Click here to apply and for more information on Business Grants in Birmingham.
We understand that this is an extremely challenging time for many businesses and we also recognise that not all companies will be eligible for the above outlined support available, however, we are on hand to offer our guidance and advice. If you would like to discuss your business, please do not hesitate to get in touch with one of our team today.
*Information correct as of 20/11/2020. For the most up to date information, use the links in the article above.
