The grants that are available since we were placed into lockdown on 5 January 2021 are:
- Local Restrictions Support Grant (closed ) -LRSG(C)
- Closed Business Support Payments -CBSP
- Additional restrictions grants -ARG
The LRSG(c) will continue to be available until the restrictions are lifted, this is not expected until at least the February half term. The CBSP and ARG are one off payments.
Prior to this when the majority of the country was in Tier 4, businesses required to close for the period from 31 December 2020 to 4 January 2021, will be eligible to claim:
- Local Restriction Support Grant (closed) –LSRG(C)
Tier 2 restrictions applied from 2 December 2020 to 30 December 2020 for much of Cumbria and the grants that were available for this period were:
- Local Restrictions Support Grant (closed ) -LRSG(C)
- Local Restrictions Support Grant (open ) -LRSG(O)
- Christmas Support Payment – CSP
So how much are these grants and what can I claim?
Local Restriction Support Grant (Closed)
This grant is for eligible closed retail, hospitality and leisure businesses and is based on the rateable value of the property you pay business rates on. The amounts available for every 2 week qualifying period are:
- £667 for properties with a rateable value of £15,000 or less
- £1,000 for properties with a rateable value between £15,001 and £50,999
- £1,500 for properties with a rateable value of £51,000+
Many local authorities will be making 1 payment for the 6 week period up to February 2021 half term since national lockdown has been imposed. You should contact your council or check their website to see if you will need to make a claim for this period. Many councils are automatically making payments out to businesses that have claimed for LRSG(c) previously.
Closed Business Support Payments
This is a one-off grant for closed retail, hospitality and leisure businesses based on the rateable value of their business property. The amounts are:
- £4,000 for properties with a rateable value of £15,000 or less
- £6,000 for properties with a rateable value between £15,001 and £51,000
- £9,000 for properties with a rateable value over £51,000
It is likely that you will need to apply for these grants. Most councils in our region have not yet published details regarding the application process, but keep an eye on your local council website as applications should be open soon.
Additional Restriction Grant
This is a discretionary grant, local authorities have been provided with funds to provide to support to businesses that do not qualify for other grants but who are severely impacted by the current restrictions.
There was an ARG for the November lockdown, the application for this has now closed.
Councils will be launching another round of discretionary grants for businesses effected by the current restrictions that do not qualify for any other main grant schemes. Keep checking your local authority website for details!
Local Restriction Support Grant (Open)
For retail, hospitality and leisure businesses that were in Tier 2 restrictions but not required to close, the amounts available to claim for every 2 week qualifying period are:
- £467 for properties with a rateable value of £15,000 or less
- £700 for properties with a rateable value between £15,001 and £50,999
- £1,050 for properties with a rateable value of £51,000+
Full details of eligible businesses are available on your local authority website.
Christmas Support Payment for Wet-led pubs
For eligible businesses in Tier2 or Tier 3 in December 2020. The grant covers the period 2 December 2020 to 29 December 2020. You will need to be able to provide evidence that less than 50% of your income is from food sales, most councils will accept a set of accounts as evidence showing the split of turnover.
Local Authority Websites  in Cumbria
Allerdale https://www.allerdale.gov.uk/en/coronavirus/coronavirus-business-grants-claims/
Barrow https://www.barrowbc.gov.uk/coronavirus/local-restrictions-support-grant/
Carlisle https://www.carlisle.gov.uk/news-and-events/business-support
Copeland https://www.copeland.gov.uk/coronavirus-resources-business
Eden https://www.eden.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/support-for-businesses/
South Lakeland https://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/business-and-trade/business-support-grants-coronavirus-covid-19/
Different Councils have different closing dates for the various grants so make sure you apply for any grant money you are entitled to as soon as possible.
If you have any questions on the above please do not hesitate to get in touch with your contact partner.
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