Restart grants now open for applications

Businesses are able to apply for the new government restart grant to help businesses that were required to close, to reopen safely as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

The restart grant scheme supports rate paying businesses in the non-essential retail, hospitality, leisure, personal care and accommodation sectors. Eligible businesses in the non-essential retail sector may be entitled to a one-off cash grant of up to £6,000.  Eligible businesses in the hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym sectors may be entitled to a one-off cash grant of up to £18,000.

Unlike the previous grants, where we were able to make repeat payments to successful applicants, businesses must submit a short application to confirm their eligibility for the restart grant. We have undertaken several rounds of funding now, so we are confident we can get administer grants to local business quickly.

These grants are available to help businesses get back on their feet, open their doors and start their road to recovery so we urge every rate paying business to apply now.

Non-essential retail premises will receive one-off grants of up to £6,000. Businesses occupying hereditaments (properties) with a rateable value of:

a) Exactly £15,000 or under on 1 April 2021 will receive a payment of £2,667.

b) Over £15,000 and less than £51,000 on 1 April 2021 will receive a payment of £4,000.

c) Exactly £51,000 or over on 1 April 2021 will receive a payment of £6,000.

Hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym business premises will receive one-off grants of up to £18,000. Businesses occupying hereditaments (properties) with a rateable value of:

a) Exactly £15,000 or under on 1 April 2021 will receive a payment of £8,000.

b) Over £15,000 and less than £51,000 on 1 April 2021 will receive a payment of £12,000.

c) Exactly £51,000 or over on 1 April 2021 will receive a payment of £18,000.

Rate paying businesses can also benefit from business rates relief as follows:

Business rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure

The relief for retail, hospitality and leisure scheme has been extended until Wednesday 30 June 2021 at 100% relief. Relief from Thursday 1 July 2021 to 31 March 2022 will be at 66% relief. Eligible businesses will have this indicated on their 2021/22 bill.

Business rates relief, other sectors

The Government has announced business rates relief for businesses outside the retail, hospitality and leisure scheme. No further details have been released. Once this scheme is available to apply for more information will be available at www.gov.uk/government/news/business-rates-relief-boosted-with-new-15-billion-pot

Non-ratepaying businesses

Discretionary grants for those not eligible for the restart grant and rates relief will also be available again, during April.

Our business support page is regularly updated with detailed information on the grants available through the council, and businesses are urged to sign up for our new bulletin: Business News for all the latest on business support, advice and funding.