Business support grants open for applications

Businesses that have been required to close as part of the new coronavirus restrictions can now apply for a Government support grant from Bath & North East Somerset Council.

The Government’s Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) Addendum, supports businesses which had been open as usual, providing services in person to customers from their business premises, but which were then required to close due to national lockdown restrictions imposed by government.

The grant is for businesses that pay business rates on their premises and:

• occupy property on which they pay business rates
• have been unable to provide its usual in-person customer service from their premises

The types of business that may be eligible include non-essential retail, personal services, or cafés and restaurants that usually operate as an in-person venue but have been forced to close those services and provide takeaway only.

Eligible businesses will receive one grant for each property liable for business rates within the lockdown zone for the period 5 November 2020 to 2 December 2020.

The LRSG(C)A will be:

• £1,334 for properties with a rateable value of £15,000 or under
• £2,000 for properties with a rateable value of between £15,000 and £51,000
• £3,000 for properties with a rateable value of £51,000 or over

The grant will not be paid automatically and so applications should be made online here https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-information-and-advice/help-businesses

The Government is also introducing a new Additional Restrictions Grant for businesses not eligible for the LRSG(C)A grant. This will be a discretionary payment for businesses that don’t pay business rates or are not required to close but are severely impacted by the restrictions.

Businesses, including those self-employed or sole traders, may be eligible if they were open as usual on 4th November 2020 and have 49 or fewer employees. The West of England unitary authorities (Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council, North Somerset Council and South Gloucestershire Council) are working together to ensure the grants are consistent across the wider area. The scheme will be launched next week across the area but applications should be made to the council where the business is trading.

You may be eligible for the Additional Restrictions Grant if:

• You are not a business rate payer of the premises you trade from, or occupy, and are required to close (this includes businesses registered for Council Tax);
• Your business is not required to close and has closed due to a significant impact on trading;
• Your business is continuing to operate, but with significantly reduced demand due to social distancing rules.

Councillor Richard Samuel, deputy leader and cabinet member for Resources, said: “Our local businesses are once again facing difficult times and it’s important they access all the support they can. These grants will help businesses towards surviving this second phase of lockdown restrictions so I urge any business who thinks they might be eligible to apply as soon as possible. Please note that grants will not be paid automatically and you need to apply via our online form. Our Invest in Bath team can provide individualised help and advice to help you with your application.”

For more information on the LRSG(C)A grants and eligibility criteria, visit the Government webpage https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support

Visit www.investinbath.co.uk to find out about the range of support and advice available to local businesses.

Find all council services updates at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/coronavirus