New Coronavirus Business Support Grants
NEWS RELEASE |
19
November 2020
New Coronavirus business support grants available
The application process for the Government’s new Local Restrictions Support Grant scheme to support businesses, registered for business rates, that have been forced to close as a result of the second coronavirus lockdown is now open.
Eligible businesses include those who were trading on 4 November 2020 and have been told they must shut by law under the national lockdown rules such as non-essential retail shops, cafes, restaurants and bars as well as hairdressers and beauty salons. Certain businesses remaining open for Click and Collect or Takeaway services may also be eligible if they have had to close their in-store services.
Applications can be made through the borough council website. Depending on whether a business meets the eligibility criteria set by the Government and their rateable value, grants range from £1,334 to £3,000 for the 28-day lockdown period.
Stuart Dark MBE, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Public Protection said: “These grants will be a lifeline for many businesses who have had to close their doors again because of the second lockdown, many of whom were only just getting back on their feet. We are urging any business that has been told to shut by law to check their eligibility through the borough council website.
“The borough council have already paid out nearly £40m speedily and effectively to more than 3000 businesses in grants earlier this year and are ready to do this again, we are aiming to process applications within 10 working days.
“We want to get the message out about this grant across west Norfolk and are proactively going through our database, contacting business forums like King’s Lynn BID, town and parish councils. We ask that people share this information so that those who are eligible, and need the grant, get it.”
Businesses can apply online at west-norfolk.gov.uk/businessrateshelp and will need their business rates account number and an up to date bank statement. Businesses who have not been forced by law to close will not be eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grant scheme.
To offer some support to those businesses not eligible under the Local Restrictions Support Grant the criteria for another scheme are currently being drawn up. Businesses can express their interest in the Additional Restrictions Support Grant using the form on the business rates help page of the borough council website. More details about this scheme will be published shortly.
The grant is
available for:
• Businesses who have a business rates account and were in the business rates list on 4 November 2020,
• Who were trading on 4 November 2020, and
• Who have been instructed to close by central government due to the national lockdown starting on 5 November 2020.
The grant is payable for each 28 day lockdown period and depends on the rateable value of the business on 4 November 2020. The rates are:
• £1,334 for businesses with a rateable value up to and including £15,000
• £2,000 for businesses with a rateable value over £15,000 but less than £51,000
• £3,000 for businesses with a rateable value of £51,000 or over (there is no upper limit)
For further information please contact: Tim Baldwin on 01553 616506