Business and licensing

The Council’s Policy and Economic Development Team works to grow the local economy through business partnerships.

We are committed to making the Council’s services more business friendly. If you have any feedback on the Business in St Albans website pages, please contact: economicdevelopment@stalbans.gov.uk.

COVID-19 Business Support and Guidance

Our Business support services page has links and useful information on support for businesses, employers and self-employed

What do I do if I have a confirmed case of COVID-19 in my workplace?

If a confirmed case of COVID-19 has occurred in your business or organisation, go to the reporting an outbreak resource site to find the relevant type of organisation and follow the instructions on the action card. Depending on the type of organisation this may also include ‘possible’ cases of COVID-19, where coronavirus symptoms are present but a case has not been confirmed through testing. The cards are designed to be printed or downloaded to keep on hand in your business or organisation.

COVID-19 Business Support

Grant Funding Scheme for Businesses affected by COVID-19

In response to the Coronavirus pandemic the Government have announced that all businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or less who receive Small Business Rate Relief or who are in the retail, hospitality or leisure sector will be entitled to a non-repayable grant of £10,000.

Businesses in the retail, hospitality, leisure sector with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000 will be entitled to £25,000. These grants will be payable by Local Authorities.

It is likely we will need additional information from local businesses to enable us to make these payments.If you believe you may be entitled to a grant, please submit your details to us using this link.

Discretionary Grant Funding Scheme for Businesses affected by COVID-19

The Discretionary Grant Scheme has now closed. We have already made awards to over 150 businesses but we are still considering applications. If you have recently made a claim and not heard from us, we aim to finalise the assessment of all claims by the end of September.

We are aware of a number of 'scams' in circulation relating to these grants. Please be careful if you receive a call or an e-mail requesting bank details or asking for other personal information

Submit Grant details here

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Business and licensing news

Charter Market – safe and equitable is our objective

St Albans City and District Council has defended its stance on reopening St Albans Charter Market in a safe and socially distanced way.

Help for hospitality businesses and market traders

Licenses allowing cafes, pubs and restaurants in St Albans District to make better use of outdoor space are to be fast-tracked to boost trade.

Businesses to be surveyed about Covid-19 impact

Businesses in St Albans District are urged to take part in an important survey about how they are coping with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

More financial help for small businesses hit by Covid-19

A second round of grants are to be awarded to small businesses in St Albans District that have missed out on Government funding for the Covid-19 emergency.

Investigations into suspected Covid-19 frauds underway

Eight applications for business grants to help with the impact of Covid-19 are being investigated for potential fraud.

Businesses to be surveyed for Covid-19 recovery plan

Businesses in St Albans District are asked to take part in a survey about the impact of the Covid-19 emergency.

More grants for small businesses

More than £1 million of grants are to be awarded to small businesses in St Albans District that have yet to receive Government funding for the Covid-19 emergency.

Almost £15 million already given to District’s businesses

Some £14.5 million of grants has already been distributed to St Albans District businesses to help them through the Covid-19 public health emergency.

People working together round a table at a meeting

Finance for Growth: a new £10m funding package for Hertfordshire SMEs

Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has partnered with FSE CIC to develop the ‘Business Expansion Grant and SME Growth Loan Scheme’ to help accelerate local business growth.

First St Albans Business Summit was “a roaring success”

A major effort will take place next year to shape an exciting new future for St Albans City Centre businesses within the Business Improvement District (BID).

Plans for Rothamsted Park improvements

Plans to make environmentally-friendly improvements to Rothamsted Park in Harpenden have been submitted for approval.

Fly-tippers’ accomplice prosecuted

A man who allowed his van to be used by fly-tippers was ordered to pay almost £700 in fines and legal costs after he was prosecuted by St Albans City and District Council.

Taxi driver who refused wheelchair user has licence revoked

A taxi driver who refused to take a wheelchair user has had his licence to work in the St Albans District revoked.

Three weeks left to respond to busking consultation

Have your say on proposed guidelines for buskers before St Albans City and District Council’s public consultation on busking ends on Tuesday 12 June.

Christmas Market boosts local economy by estimated £1 million

Visitors to the Christmas Market in St Albans injected almost £1 million into the rest of the local economy, a study has revealed.

Engineering membership of St Albans City of Expertise expands

St Albans City of Expertise has expanded the professional services network’s engineering membership by signing up Van Zyl & De Villiers Consulting Engineers.

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