Guildford Borough Council Press Release: 18 November 2020
Grants of up to £3,000 are available to help local businesses which have had to close during the four-week national lockdown, as we continue to support our local economy during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
The government’s Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) is available to rate-paying businesses which were trading as normal before Thursday 5 November, but had to close under the new guidelines.
Applications can be made online through our website, here. Grants are based on the rateable value of a business’s premises, and will be paid every four weeks whilst government restrictions are in force:
Rateable value up to £15,000 – a grant of £1,334
Rateable value of £15,001 to £50,999 – a grant of £2,000
Rateable value of £51,000 and over – a grant of £3,000
Lead Councillor for Economy, Cllr John Redpath says:
“We understand that many local businesses are facing financial difficulty due to the impact of the global pandemic. As a Local Authority, we are here to support all of our local businesses and provide as much help as we can.
“We have already distributed over £23 million in grants, provided business rate relief to businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors and administered the government’s Reopening High Streets Safely Fund to support measures to allow our town centre to open safely and securely.”
Businesses which have continued to offer takeaway, click-and-collect or delivery services despite closure are eligible for a grant. Businesses can apply for one grant for each of their qualifying premises.
Companies which have chosen to close, but were not required to, will not be eligible, along with those which are in administration, insolvent or have received a striking-off notice. Businesses which have already received grant payments equal to the maximum levels of State aid allowed under the Covid-19 Temporary State Aid Framework will also not be eligible.
Applicants will need to supply their ratepayers reference, bank account details, company or charity number, VAT registration number, and information on funds received through state aid. Grant income is taxable and will need to be included in the business’s tax return.
Cllr Redpath continued: “Please do continue to get in touch as we may be able to help in other ways, including through our free business advice service Guildford Business Growth at www.guildfordbusinessgrowth.co.uk, as well as our assistance to help businesses follow new licensing guidelines. We have also been working with the Community Foundation for Surrey’s Coronavirus Response Fund, as the Mayor of Guildford’s chosen charity for 2020, to match fund any donations to support local charities and voluntary organisations helping vulnerable, elderly and isolated members of the community.
“Additional help may be available through the government’s Kickstart Scheme and new investment in ‘green’ jobs. The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy has also this week published information on additional resources available to employers and employees, including support offered by the National Federation of Self Employed & Small Businesses, at www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-support-for-business-from-outside-government.”
