COVID-19: Support for businesses that pay business rates 2021 update

Business Support Grants from January 2021 delivered by Local Authorities

From the 5th January 2021 onwards, Local Authorities will be delivering The Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed), Closed Businesses Lockdown Payment and the Additional Restrictions Grant

Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) Addendum Scheme

For Businesses that were open as usual, but then required to close due to national restrictions imposed by government may be eligible for the LRSG (Closed) Addendum schemes:

  • from 5 January 2021 onwards
  • between 5 November and 2 December 2020

Eligible businesses may be entitled to a cash grant from their local council for each period under national restrictions.

When national restrictions are introduced and businesses are required to close, the LRSG (Closed) Addendum schemes supersede the LRSG (Closed)LRSG (Open) and LRSG (Sector) schemes.

Eligibility

Your business may be eligible if it:

  • is based in England
  • occupies property on which it pays business rates (and is the ratepayer)
  • has been required to close because of the national restrictions from 5 January 2021 onwards, or between 5 November and 2 December 2020
  • has been unable to provide its usual in-person customer service from its premises

For example, this could include non-essential retail, leisure, personal care, sports facilities, tourism and hospitality businesses. It could also include businesses that operate primarily as an in-person venue, but which have been forced to close those services and provide a takeaway-only service instead.

Eligible businesses can get one grant for each non-domestic property.

Coronavirus Closed Business Lockdown Payment

For The Closed Businesses Lockdown Payment (CBLP) supports businesses that have been required to close due to the national restrictions that began on 5 January 2021.

Eligible businesses may be entitled to a one-off cash grant of up to £9,000 from their local council.

Local councils will pay the same businesses that are eligible to receive the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) Addendum for the national lockdown period that began on 5 January.

Eligibility

Your business may be eligible if it:

  • is based in England
  • occupies property on which it pays business rates (and is the ratepayer)
  • has been required to close because of the national restrictions from 5 January 2021 onwards
  • has been unable to provide its usual in-person customer service from its premises

This could include non-essential retail, leisure, personal care, sports facilities, tourism and hospitality businesses. It could also include businesses that operate primarily as an in-person venue, but which have been forced to close those services and provide a takeaway-only service instead.

Eligible businesses can get one grant for each non-domestic property.

Coronavirus Additional Restrictions Grant

For closed businesses that do not directly pay business rates as well as businesses that do not have to close but which are impacted. In addition, larger grants can be given than those made through LRSG (Closed).

Local councils can determine which businesses to target and determine the amount of funding from the ARG.

Eligibility

Local councils have the freedom to determine the eligibility criteria for these grants. However, we expect the funding to help those businesses which – while not legally forced to close – are nonetheless severely impacted by the restrictions.

This could include:

  • businesses which supply the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors
  • businesses in the tourism and events sectors
  • business required to close but which do not pay business rates

Useful links

Business Support Package for January Lockdown – Guidance for Local Authorities

Selby District Council – Additional Restrictions Grant Scheme

York City Council – Additional Restrictions Grant Scheme