Businesses forced to close or significantly impacted by the latest coronavirus restrictions can now apply for government support grants from Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The government’s Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) Addendum (LRSG(C)A) supports businesses that had been open as usual, providing services in person to customers from their business premises, but are now required to close due to national lockdown restrictions imposed by government.
Meanwhile 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
The LRSG(C)A grant is for up for £3,000 and can be claimed by businesses that pay business rates on their premises and occupy property on which they pay business rates and 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 November 5 to December 2.
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 here https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-information-and-advice/help-businesses
Businesses, including those self-employed or sole traders, may be eligible for a Additional Restrictions Grant if they were open as usual on November 4 and have 49 or fewer employees. The West of England unitary authorities – Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES), 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 but applications should be made to the council where the business is trading.
Businesses may be eligible for the Additional Restrictions Grant if they:
- Are not a business rate payer of the premises they trade from, or occupy, and are required to close (this includes businesses registered for Council Tax)
- Are not required to close but have due to a significant impact on trading
- Are continuing to operate, but with significantly reduced demand due to social distancing rules.
B&NES deputy leader and cabinet member for resources Richard Samuel 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.
