Following on from the Prime Ministers announcement of a further lockdown with effect from 5 January 2021, there has been a further update to business assistance grants.
The Coronavirus grant is for businesses that have been required to close due to national restrictions as of 5 January 2021. A business is eligible if it occupies a property on which business rates are paid and the business is the rate-payer. It should also have been unable to provide its usual in-person customer service from its premises. If eligible, a business is entitled to one grant for each non-domestic property.
A business is not eligible if it has chosen to close but had not been required to do so. There are also some restrictions in place if you already receive other elements of state aid in your sector.
What can you get?
The amount you will receive depends on the rateable value of the property. If it is under £15,000 you may be entitled to a grant of £1,334 for each 28-day qualifying period. Between £15,000 and £51,000 you may receive £2,000 for each 28-day qualifying period. For over £51,000 it will be £3,000 for a qualifying period.
Where can you find the support?
Applications should be made to your local council and their website can be found using the following link – www.gov.uk/find-local-council. Many local council websites are saying that they are waiting for more detailed information on the funding packages before it will be possible to apply.
Certain councils are also offering ad hoc Additional Restrictions Grants for areas affected by Tier 3 and upwards. Information regarding these can also be found on the council websites. For example, the link to the Amber Valley section regarding this is www.ambervalley.gov.uk/business/covid-19-business-grants/additional-restrictions-grant.
The link for Derby City Council is www.derby.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid19/business-financial-support/new-grants-for-businesses-during-national-lockdown which includes details of how to apply for the ad hoc grants but at the moment states the application form for the main grant is to follow.
If you have any other questions about these these grants, please contact us.
January 13th, 2021
