Grant claim form now live for businesses closed due to national restrictions

Businesses that have been forced to close due to the Covid-19 national restrictions from Thursday 5 November to Wednesday 2 December, can now apply for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) Addendum.

To qualify for this grant, businesses must have been:

• open as usual before the restrictions
• required to close due to new national restrictions imposed by government
• paying business rates for the premises

How much will businesses receive?

The value of the grant awarded will depend on the rateable value (RV) of the business premises although there is some discretionary funding available to support those not in the business rates system. Businesses can find and check their business rates valuation with the Valuation Office Agency.

Grant payments for businesses forced to close on a national basis

Businesses occupying inheritance premises with a rateable value of:

• £15,000 or under will receive a payment of £1,334 per 28-day qualifying period
• over £15,000 and less than £51,000 will receive a payment of £2,000 per 28-day qualifying period
• £51,000 or above, will receive £3,000 per 28-day qualifying period.

These grants will be issued per 28-day qualifying restriction period.

Businesses not eligible for the Grant are those which:

• can continue to trade
• have chosen to close but not been required to
• have already received grant payments that equal the maximum levels of State aid permitted under the de minimis and the COVID-19 Temporary State Aid Framework
• were in administration, are insolvent or where a striking-off notice has been made on the date of the first full day of the local restrictions

To apply, businesses will need to provide:

• a copy of the most recent business bank statement. This must be dated within the last three months and the same account that the grant is to be paid into
• the business rates bill number, found on the bill
• the company number, if the business is registered with Companies House ​​​​

Cllr Sian Timoney, portfolio holder responsible for economic development and business support said, “We know how tough the last eight months have been for small businesses, it has caused worry and anxiety and has been particularly challenging.

“We have been working hard to get our systems ready with the latest government initiative so that we are able to quickly administer funds to those eligible and in need of financial help and I would strongly encourage those eligible to apply for the funding.” 

The claim form is now live on the council’s website, businesses can apply here.