On 22 October, the Chancellor announced a new package of support for hospitality and leisure businesses operating in Tier 2 regions. These grants will be administered by your local authority. With news of a national lockdown starting on 5 November, we are aware that many businesses are anxious to know what support is available to them.

We’re working through initial guidance and we’re awaiting further details from the government. However, the aim is to launch these schemes as soon as possible, which will be administered through an application process.

When further details are available, we will attempt to keep you up to date via social media. In the meantime, here is what we know.

Local Restrictions Support Grants (Open)

If your business remained open but was severely impacted by the Tier 2 restrictions on socialising (between 18 September and 4 November) you may be entitled to claim support under this scheme.

Whilst the government have not published the detailed guidance for this scheme yet, we understand that this is aimed at businesses within hospitality, accommodation and leisure sectors and payments will be 70% of the values that will be available under the Local Restrictions Support Grants (closed) scheme.

If your business is eligible, during this period we believe you will be able to claim the following support:

Rateable value of your property

Less than £15,000

More than £15,000 and less than £51,000

More than £51,000

Total payment per week

£233.50

£350

£525

Total for 7 week period from 18.09.2020 to 04.11.2020

£1,634.50

£2,450

£3675

If your business is not the registered occupier of a rated premises e.g. you are in a shared space, then you can still apply for these grants if you meet the other eligibility criteria.

Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed)

If your business is impacted by the national lockdown between 5 November and 2 December, you may be able to claim a national business grant.

For example, if your business had to close or if you’ve had to change the nature of your business you may be able to claim.

If your business is eligible, during this period you’ll receive a single grant to cover the four weeks. See below the payment amounts:

Rateable value of your property

Less than £15,000

More than £15,000 and less than £51,000

More than £51,000

Total payment for 4 week period

£1,334

£2,000

£3,000

If your business is not the registered occupier of a rated premises, for example you are in a shared space, but you’ve still been required to close as a result of the national lockdown, you can still apply for these grants if you meet the other eligibility criteria that applies.

Local Restriction Support Grant (Sector)

If your business has not been allowed to re-open since March (for example nightclubs), you will be eligible to claim a grant of up to £3,000 for every 4 week period that it’s closed. This starts from 1 November 2020 and it is not possible to backdate payments before this date.

We strongly suggest that you keep looking at your local authority website for more information on these grants.

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