We were informed yesterday that the on-line application form for clients in County Durham has now gone live & can be found here.
For clients outside of the County Durham area, we suggest you review your local authority website in order to make an application.
To remind you, the government have announced a series of Local Restrictions Support Grants for businesses affected by the various lockdown restrictions which have been put into place. The following provides a summary of the available grants:
- Businesses forced to close under national lockdown restrictions which came into force on 5 November 2020 can claim a Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed). The payment amount will depend on the rateable value of your business premises and will cover the full four week period from 5 November to 2 December 2020. You may also be eligible for this grant if the substantive part of your business is closed but you have diversified and the nature of your business has changed; for example if you are now providing a click and collect service rather than in-person services
- Businesses that were severely impacted by the Tier 2 restrictions on socialising between 18 September and 4 November 2020 ie businesses within hospitality, accommodation and leisure sectors, which includes local community buildings, local charity shops and town and parish council premises, may be eligible to claim a Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open). The payment amount will depend on the rateable value of your business premises impacted by the restrictions on socialising and will cover the period 18 September to 4 November 2020.
- Businesses that have not been allowed to re-open since March (for example nightclubs) will be eligible to claim a grant of up to £3,000 for every 4 week period that it is closed, from 1 November 2020 if they have remained closed entirely. These payments will not be made if the business has diversified
The process for making payments is via an online application with your local authority and we would encourage you to apply if you can satisfy the eligibility criteria that applies to these grants. In order too process these payments, the Government requires the local authority to collect information from you, including details of the bank account you wish these payments to be made to. These details can be submitted securely online using the application form.
Please remember that any grant payments received will be taxable & we are assured that the Councils are doing all they can to expedite these payments as quickly as possible.