Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed Businesses)

The Government announced funding to help support businesses that are required to close under national and local lockdown restrictions from 5 November 2020, whilst restrictions remain in place and the businesses remain closed.

Businesses which were mandated to close under Tier 3 restrictions and the national restrictions from 6 January 2021, can continue to receive payments or make a new application. 

Please note. This scheme ends 31 March 2021, due to the introduction of Restart Grants. 

Who can claim this funding?

Any business who was mandated to close by government during the National and the Local Tier 3 restrictions, a full list of businesses can be found on GOV.UK

Businesses who completed a local authority application form during the November national lockdown and qualified for a grant payment, WILL NOT NEED TO MAKE A NEW APPLICATION we will automatically award further payments. 

The Council will identify eligible non-essential retail, leisure, personal care, sports facilities and  hospitality businesses from the last application process in November 2020 and will arrange for a grant payment to be paid into their bank account automatically Where a business has had a change and are no longer eligible for the grant, they must report this to business.rates@eastriding.gov.uk 

It is the responsibility of the business to report changes which may affect their grant eligibility. 

If you have not yet applied for the grant, applications for grants to be paid under the National Lockdown from 5 January 2021, will close 31 March 2021, please see below to apply if you have not already done so. 

Are there any exclusions that apply?

The following exclusions apply to this scheme. Do not apply for a grant payment if any of the following apply:

• Businesses that are not required to close and are outside the scope of the grant scheme , as defined by Government, and are therefore excluded;
• Businesses that are able to continue to trade because they do not depend on providing direct in-person services from premises and can operate their services effectively remotely, such as accountants or solicitors;
• Businesses that have chosen to close but not been required to will not be eligible for this grant;
• Businesses which have already received grant payments that equal the maximum levels of state aid permitted under the de minimis and the COVID-19 Temporary State Aid Framework;
• For the avoidance of doubt, businesses that were in administration, are insolvent or where a striking-off notice has been made as at 5 November 2020  are not eligible for funding under this scheme. 
• Business who are not liable to pay business rates. 
  

How much will I receive?

If you are awarded the grant the payment(s) will be:

We will aim to pay the funds into the nominated bank account within 14 days of receiving the application, payments are made on a Tuesday and Thursday of each working week. 

Please note: where your business is a limited company, you MUST provide the bank account details for the company and not provide a personal bank account. Payments will be delayed where personal bank details are provided. 

How do I apply for the grant?

Applications closed on 31 May 2021.

What is the new one off top up payment?

On 5 January 2021, government announced further financial support for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses worth up to £9,000 per property to help businesses through to spring.  

The payment will be a one-off payment and will be paid on top on the existing grants for businesses. 

Who can claim this funding?

Although we are awaiting official guidance from government, this payment is for businesses mandated to close during the national lockdown imposed on 6 January 2021, and which cannot operate effectively remotley.

Are there any exclusions? 

We are awaiting government guidance on any restrictions to this grant.

How much will I get? 

The one-off top-ups will be granted to closed businesses as follows:

How do I apply?

If you have a valid claim made under the LRSG (Open/Closed) schemes, you do not need to apply, we will make payments automatically. If you have not yet claimed a grant, you will need to apply for the LRSG (Closed) grant and this payment will be made in addition. 

What is the Christmas Support Payment?

On 1 December 2020, government announced an additional £1,000 Christmas support payment for ‘wet-led pubs’ in tiers 2 and 3 who missed out on much needed business during the busy festive period.

The payment will be a one-off payment for December and will be paid on top on the existing grants for businesses. This will cover those in tiers 2 and 3 forced to reduce their operations as a result of the latest regional and national measures put in place to contain transmission of the virus. Applications for this scheme closed 28 February 2021.

Who can claim this funding?

A pub whereby they are open to the general public allow free entry other than when occasional entertainment is provided, allow drinking without requiring food to be consumed and permit drinks to be purchased at a bar.

The business must have been trading on 30 November 2020 and must also derive less than 50% of income from the sale of food, the Council will request evidence of sales. 

Are there any exclusions? 

Pubs will not be eligible to claim where: 

• More than 50% of your total income derives from food sales
• They have moved from Tier 1 to 2 or 3 after 29 December 2020
• They have already reached the State Aid limit
• Businesses that are in administration, insolvent or where a striking-off notice has been made
• Businesses which were not trading on 30 November 2020.  Where local restrictions are preceded by national ‘lockdown’ measures, requiring the closure of businesses that are otherwise eligible, it is accepted that those businesses are still trading.
• A business that is restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, hotels, snack bars, guesthouses, boarding houses, sporting venues, music venues, festival sites, theatres, museums, exhibition halls, cinemas, concert halls and casinos.

How much will I get? 

This is a flat rate payment of £1,000 to cover the period 2 December 2020 to 29 December 2020.

How do I apply?

The business rates team contacted businesses and invited them to apply where they were claiming the LRSG (Closed grant). If you have not yet claimed the closed business grant, please do so that we can consider this payment and collect all of the information required to make a payment. 

Applications closed 28 February 2021.

Where can I find information about other grants or general support?

Find out about the grants and support available to businesses and charities.