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Business grants

Following the introduction of the Tier system and the subsequent national lockdown periods, the Government set up a support package for businesses. The information below is a guide to the eligibility criteria for each of the available schemes.

Overview

We appreciate there are now many schemes available which has made the process confusing. Therefore, we have produced an overview of the grants available (pdf, 675 KB) so you can see all of the information in one place. 

Further detail and links to apply are below. Read all instructions carefully before submitting your application.

Application information

Important information which you must read before submitting a grant application.

Applying for different grants

Businesses must submit a separate application for each scheme and for each Tier or national lockdown period they are eligible for, one form will not cover all. For example, if you wish to apply for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (for Closed businesses) for the Tier 2 periods of 17 October to 4 November and 2 to 15 December, this will need two separate applications.

This is due to the way the schemes have been set up by Government and the way in which we are required to report back to Government on the applications made.

Businesses must also submit a separate application for each property they are making a claim for, one form will not cover all.

Delays in response

If you make an application but then do not hear anything, please do not submit a repeat application for the same scheme and Tier or national lockdown period, as this will cause unnecessary additional checks that may cause a delay in processing any payments.

Application methods

Applications will be made either via our own website, or managed by our third party service provider - GrantApproval.co.uk.  This will be made clear when using the links below.

If using the GrantApproval portal, you will first need to register. When making applications, you will need your Business Rates Property Reference Number. Instructions on how to find this number will be given to you during the application process. However, please note that if using the Valuation Office Agency website, it may refer to the reference you need as the 'Local Authority Reference'.

Also, if you retrieve the Property Reference Number from your bill, you should NOT include the `N` at the start, when entering this number on your application.

Problems submitting your application?

If you are having trouble submitting your application on GrantApproval, please check the frequently asked questions (pdf, 125 KB) which may solve your problem.

Checks

All applications will receive an acknowledgement and be processed as quickly as possible which may include checks using data held on our Business Rates database and Companies House, and sharing with Government any details submitted on this application as requested by them as the source of the funding for these grant payments.

Application progress

All available resources will be used to make payments to successful applications as soon as possible and so it will not be possible to deal with individual queries regarding progress of applications. Therefore, we would politely request that you do not contact us by phone or email regarding the progress of your application.

Grants

LRSG Closed (Addendum) - Statutory Scheme

  • Restriction type: National Lockdown and Tier 4 local restrictions
  • Restriction/claim period: 5 November to 1 December 2020 (National Lockdown). 20 December 2020 to 4 January 2021 (Tier 4)
  • Eligible businesses: All businesses with a business rates liability that were mandated to close during the restriction periods - e.g. Non-essential retail, hospitality, leisure and personal care (gyms, hair, nail and beauty salons)
  • Ineligible businesses: Businesses with a business rates liability that were not mandated to close or were operating as a takeaway/'click and collect' service pre-COVID - e.g. supermarkets, Convenience stores, food takeaways, events sector and supply chain. Businesses without a business rates liability.
  • Grant amount:
    • Rateable value of exactly £15,000 or under - £667 per 14-day qualifying restriction period
    • Rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 - £1,000 per 14-day qualifying restriction period
    • Rateable value of exactly £51,000 or above - £1,500 per 14-day qualifying restriction period
  • Claim deadline: 31 January 2021
  • How to claim: The process differs depending on which period you are claiming for

LRSG Closed - Statutory Scheme

  • Restriction type: Tier 2 and Tier 3 local restrictions
  • Restriction/claim period: 2 to 15 December 2020 (Tier 2), 16 to 19 December 2020 (Tier 3)
  • Eligible businesses: Hospitality type businesses with a business rates liability that were mandated to close during the restriction periods:
    • Tier 2 - Pubs not serving substantial meals only
    • Tier 3 - All Hospitality type businesses that were mandated to close
  • Ineligible businesses: Retail, Leisure, Personal Care (Gyms, Hair, Nail and Beauty salons), events sector/supply chain businesses with a business rates liability. Businesses without a Business Rates liability.
  • Grant amount:
    • Rateable value of exactly £15,000 or under - £667 per 14-day qualifying restriction period
    • Rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 - £1,000 per 14-day qualifying restriction period
    • Rateable value of exactly £51,000 or above - £1,500 per 14-day qualifying restriction period
  • Claim deadline: 31 January 2021
  • How to claim: Apply for the LRSG Closed - all periods (GrantApproval.co.uk)

LRSG Open - Discretionary Scheme

  • Restriction type: Tier 2 and Tier 3 local restrictions
  • Restriction/claim period: 17 October to 4 November 2020 (Tier 2), 2 to 15 December 2020 (Tier 2), 16 to 19 December 2020 (Tier 3)
  • Eligible businesses: Hospitality, Leisure, Hotels and B&B's with fixed on-going property costs or business rates liability that were not mandated to close during the restriction periods but did suffer a financial loss as a result of COVID:
    • Tier 2 - Hospitality (e.g. restaurants/pubs), leisure (e.g. cinemas, sports grounds & clubs), hotel and B&B
    • Tier 3 - Food takeaways/click and collect services that were operating as takeaways pre-COVID
  • Ineligible businesses: Retail. Events sector and supply chain. Businesses run by Government or Local Authority. Home-based businesses. Businesses not dependant on 'in-person' trade e.g. online travel, solicitors. Those businesses that chose to close but not legally required to.
  • Grant amount:
    • Rateable value or if no rateable value, fixed on-going property costs of exactly £15,000 or under - £467 per 14-day qualifying restriction period
    • Rateable value or if no rateable value, fixed on-going property costs of over £15,000 and less than £51,000 - £700 per 14-day qualifying restriction period
    • Rateable value or if no rateable value, fixed on-going property costs of exactly £51,000 or above - £1,050 per 14-day qualifying restriction period
  • Claim deadline: 31 January 2021
  • How to claim: Apply for the LRSG Open - all periods (GrantApproval.co.uk)

Additional Restrictions Grant - Discretionary Scheme

  • Restriction type: Begins once area enters Tier 3 or national lockdown, regardless of what Tiers follow thereafter
  • Restriction/claim period: 5 November 2020 - No end date
  • Eligible businesses: Businesses with fixed property costs, e.g. business rates, rent, lease and that have suffered a financial loss. The business must not have received or been eligible for any other business rates reliefs or COVID related grants to date. Events sector and supply chain. Must have been trading on 4 November 2020. Open to both businesses liable for business rates and those that are not.
  • Ineligible businesses: Businesses that have already received a grant from other COVID business support schemes or Business rates relief (small business rate relief/retail discount relief/nursery relief). Businesses run by Government or Local Authority. Home-based businesses. Schools. Financial institutions.
  • Grant amount:
    • Rateable value or if no rateable value, fixed on-going property costs of exactly £15,000 or under – one-off payment of £2,000
    • Rateable value or if no rateable value, fixed on-going property costs of over £15,000 and less than £51,000 - one-off payment of £5,000
    • Rateable value or if no rateable value, fixed on-going property costs of exactly £51,000 or above - one-off payment of £10,000
  • Claim deadline: 31 March 2021
  • How to claim: Apply for the Additional Restrictions Grant

LRSG Sector - Statutory Scheme

  • Restriction type: Tier 2 and Tier 3 local restrictions effective from 1 November 2020
  • Restriction/claim period: 17 October to 4 November 2020 (Tier 2), 2 to 15 December 2020 (Tier 2), 16 to 19 December 2020 (Tier 3)
  • Eligible businesses: Businesses with a Business Rates liability that have been required to close due to the national restrictions introduced in March 2020, and which have not been able to re-open; specifically - Nightclubs, Dance Halls, Discotheques, Adult Entertainment Venues and Hostess Bars.
  • Ineligible businesses: Businesses not mentioned above. Businesses without a Business Rates liability.
  • Grant amount:
    • Rateable value of exactly £15,000 or under - £667 per 14-day qualifying restriction period
    • Rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 - £1,000 per 14-day qualifying restriction period
    • Rateable value of exactly £51,000 or above - £1,500 per 14-day qualifying restriction period
  • Claim deadline: 31 January 2021
  • How to claim: Apply for the LRSG Sector (GrantApproval.co.uk)

Christmas Support Payment - Statutory Scheme

  • Restriction type: Tier 2 and Tier 3 local restrictions
  • Restriction/claim period: 2 to 29 December 2020
  • Eligible businesses: Pubs with a Business Rates liability that pre-COVID (March 2020) derived less than 50% of sales from food and were unable to open during the restriction periods. Businesses established after 11 March 2020 and before 1 December 2020 which can prove eligibility covering the period they have been open.
  • Ineligible businesses: Pubs with a Business Rates liability that pre-COVID (March 2020) derived more than 50% of sales from food. Businesses established after 11 March 2020 and before 1 December 2020 which cannot prove eligibility covering the period they have been open. Restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, hotels, snack bars, guesthouses, boarding houses, sporting venues, music venues, festival sites, theatres, museums, exhibition halls, cinemas, concert halls and casinos. Businesses without a Business Rates liability.
  • Grant amount: One-off payment of £1,000
  • Claim deadline: 31 January 2021
  • How to claim: Apply for the Christmas Support Payment (GrantApproval.co.uk)

Closed Business January Lockdown Support Package - Statutory Scheme

  • Restriction type: National lockdown from 5 January 2021 (for an initial 6 week period until 15 February 2021)
  • Restriction/claim period: 5 January 2021 to 15 February 2021
  • Eligible businesses: All businesses with a business rates liability that were mandated to close during the restriction periods - e.g. Non-essential retail, hospitality, leisure and personal care (gyms, hair, nail and beauty salons).
  • Ineligible businesses: Businesses with a business rates liability that were not mandated to close or were operating solely as a takeaway/click and collect service pre-COVID - e.g. supermarkets, Convenience stores, food takeaways, events sector and supply chain. Businesses without a business rates liability.
  • Grant amount:
    • Rateable value of exactly £15,000 or under - one-off payment of £6,001
    • Rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 - one-off payment of £9,000
    • Rateable value of exactly £51,000 or above - one-off payment of £13,500
  • Claim deadline: 31 March 2021
  • How to claim: Apply for the Closed Business January Lockdown Support Package (GrantApproval.co.uk)

                                     

Up to: Business Rates

Updated: 15 January 2021