In response to the Coronavirus, Covid–19, the Government announced there would be support for small businesses, and businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.
This support takes the form of two grant funding schemes:
- The Small Business Grant Fund
- The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund
Small Business Grant Fund (SBGF)
Who is eligible for this scheme?
- Businesses with a property that on the 11 March 2020 were eligible for the Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) Scheme (including those with a Rateable Value between £12,000 and £15,000 which receive tapered relief);
- Businesses which on 11 March 2020 were eligible for relief under the Rural Rate Relief Scheme are also eligible for this scheme; and
- The funding will be paid to the person who, according to the billing authority’s records, was the ratepayer for the property on 11 March 2020.
How much support will I receive?
- Eligible recipients will receive one grant per property;
- All eligible businesses in the business rates system will be eligible for a payment of £10,000.
Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF)
Who is eligible for this scheme?
- Properties which on the 11 March 2020 had a rateable value of less than £51,000 and would have been eligible for a discount under the business rates Expanded Retail Discount Scheme had that scheme been in force are eligible for the grant; and
- Charities which would otherwise meet this criteria, but whose bill for 11 March had been reduced to nil by a local discretionary award should still be considered to be eligible for the RHL grant.
How much support will I receive?
- Recipients will receive one grant per eligible property.
- Eligible businesses in these sectors with a property that has a rateable value of up to and including £15,000 will receive a grant of £10,000
- Eligible businesses in these sectors with a property that has a rateable value of over £15,000 and less than £51,000 will receive a grant of £25,000.
Recipients cannot receive both SBGF and RHLGF on the same property.
How the grants are being provided
The Government is providing funding to local authorities that are responsible for business rate billing. Local authorities are contacting those businesses that they believe are eligible for the grants either by letter or email; however online application forms are also available.
By completing an online application form it ensures your local authority has all of the correct details to swiftly administer your payment.
- In order to complete this online submission you will need your Business Rates Account Reference Number or local authority Property Reference number (this information is available on your business rates bill); rateable value of your property; and VAT reference and company number (if relevant);
- If your business qualifies for a grant for more than one property you will need to complete the online form separately for each property;
- Businesses will need to confirm they comply with all the applicable state aid requirements, please see here for guidance (point 27 onwards); and
- Payments will be made by BACS direct to your bank account.
The details of local authority websites and their online Business Support Grant Forms can be found below. It is worth checking on individual local authority websites for the most up to date details of their application process and eligibility criteria.
Breckland Council
Their online grant application form can be found here.
Broadland District Council
Their online application form can be found here.
South Norfolk Council
Their online application form can be found here
North Norfolk District Council
If you have not received notification but believe you should be receiving a grant payment then you can use their online Eligibility Checker that can be found at the link above.
Norwich City Council
Their online application form can be found here.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Their online application form can be found here.
King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council
To check whether you qualify for the grant, there is a quick eligibility checker on the website above – this will then take you through to a short form to verify your details and apply for the grant.
We are here to help and support you when you need us most, please get in touch with your usual M+A Partners contact or email enquiries@mapartners.co.uk.