Coronavirus grant due to national restrictions (for closed businesses)

Following the end of national lockdown next week, various regions across the country will be placed back into specific Tiers as announced by the government yesterday (Greater Manchester and Lancashire will be in the highest Tier Three).

To support businesses that have been required by law to close due to national restrictions between 5 November and 2 December 2020, the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG (Closed) Addendum) is available. Eligible businesses are able to claim a cash grant delivered by their local council for each 4-week period under national restrictions.

Eligibility

According to the government’s guidance, your business may be eligible for this grant 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 November to 2 December 2020
• has been unable to provide its usual in-person customer service from its premises

Note that eligible businesses can get one grant for each non-domestic property.

How much can you get?

The amount given to each business will depend on the rateable value of the property on the first full day of restrictions. Specifically, the government website states that:

“If your business has a property with a rateable value of £15,000 or less, you may be eligible for a cash grant of £1,334 for each 28-day qualifying restrictions period.

If your business has a property with a rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000, you may be eligible for a cash grant of £2,000 for each 28-day qualifying restrictions period.

If your business has a property with a rateable value of £51,000 or above, you may be eligible for a cash grant of £3,000 for each 28-day qualifying restrictions period.”

Next steps and how to apply

You can visit this government webpage for more information about this grant, including checking whether your business is among those excluded from the fund.

To apply, you should get in touch with your local council who is in charge of distributing this grant fund.