NEW: Top-up to local business grants fund scheme

The government has announced additional grants for businesses not covered by the Small Business Grant or the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant (see below).  This support is aimed at small businesses with fixed property costs.  Companies must have fewer than 50 employees and be able to demonstrate a significant drop in income.

Unlike previous funding, local councils need to decide who exactly is eligible in their area, how this scheme is run and how much money can be given to individual businesses.  We’re waiting for details from the government of the total amount of money we can give out in these grants.  We also need to confirm criteria to determine exactly which businesses will be eligible to receive this support.  This is a high priority for us.  We’ll publish full details here as soon as possible.  Details will also be promoted on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels.

Click here for full details of the government announcement

Support grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses

If your business is in the retail, hospitality or leisure sector, you will receive a grant of up to £25,000 per property. Further information about the Business Support Grants for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure can be found here. 

Support for small businesses that pay little or no business rates

The government will provide additional Small Business Grant Scheme funding for local authorities to support small businesses that already pay little or no business rates because of small business rate relief (SBBR), rural rate relief (RRR) and tapered relief. This will provide a one-off grant of £10,000 to eligible businesses to help meet their ongoing business costs.

Grant funds are now open 

Find out how to access the schemes here. Please note you will need your business rates account number – the first 7 digits only.