COVID-19 Business Support and Guidance

Financial Support for businesses that are required to close

Following the announcement on the 31st of October 2020 of 28 day period of national 'lockdown' and Tier 3 / Tier 4 / National Restrictions from the 19th / 20th of December 2020 and the 5th January 2021 there are packages of financial support for businesses that are required to close during these periods. Support is also available to businesses types such as nightclubs that were legally unable to open prior to the current lockdown.   

Businesses that are required to close in England due these national or local restrictions restrictions will be eligible for the following.

• For properties with a Rateable Value of £15k or under, grants to be £1,334 for each 28 day qualifying period or £667 for each 14 day period.   
• For properties with a Rateable Value of between £15k-£51k grants to be £2,000 for each 28 day qualifying period or £1,000 for each 14 day period. 
• For properties with a Rateable Value of £51k or over grants to be £3,000 per each 28 day period period or £1,500 for each 14 day period. 

You can see the list of business types that were legally required to close and those that could remain open during National Restrictions here. We believe this list will also apply during Tier 4 restrictions. Please note that this scheme is only for businesses which are required to close. However, business types that are mandated to close but that are able to operate a 'click and collect' service will still be entitled to a grant as long as the 'substantive part' of their business has closed. 

Please use this link to apply for a grant. Before you make your application you will need to know your business rate account number. You can find this on your most recent business rate demand notice. 

You will need to re-apply for support during Tier 4  / National restrictions from the 19th of December 2020 / 5th January 2021 even if you have previously applied for and received support for November 2020. If you have applied for support under Tier 4 / National Restrictions from the 19th December / 5th January 2021 you will automatically receive the £4000 / £6000 / £9000 along with financial support up to the middle of February 2021. We hope to pay all of these grants by the 22nd January 2021.   

Discretionary Support Grants - Local Restrictions (Open) Support and Additional Restrictions Grant schemes 

In addition to the grant scheme for businesses that are legally required to close, there is potentially further discretionary support available to businesses via the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) Open and Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) schemes. The types of businesses which may qualify under these schemes include:

- Those which were obliged to close under lockdown but are not rated for business rates.
- Those which are not required to close but who are severely impacted by National and/or Local Restrictions.  
- Business who have have already received or are entitled to support but who require further financial assistance.

Please click the button to the right of the screen for further details and to make an application.  

'Christmas Support Payment' for 'Wet Led' Public Houses.

Pubs which predominately serve alcohol rather than provide food will be entitled to a one-off payment of £1000 for December 2020. This payment is in addition to other support schemes or grants. Please click the button to the right of the screen for further details and to make an application

Please note - we have been made aware of a number of 'scams' in circulation relating to grants and other financial support. Please be careful if you receive a phone call or an e-mail requesting bank details or asking for other personal information. If you believe someone has claimed or received a grant they are not entitled to, please e-mail as much detail as possible to fraud@stalbans.gov.uk