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

Financial Support for businesses that are now required to close

Following the announcement on the 31st of October 2020 of a further period of national 'lockdown', there is another package of financial support for businesses that are now legally required to close. Support is also available to businesses types such as nightclubs that were legally unable to open prior to the current lockdown.

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

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

You can see the list of business types that are legally required to close and those that can remain open here. 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.

Discretionary Support Grants - Additional Restrictions Grant.

In addition to the grant scheme for businesses that are legally required to close, Local Authorities have been asked to design a Discretionary Grant Scheme for the Additional Restrictions Grant to provide further support to businesses. Officers and Councillors are currently designing a scheme for St Albans District. Details of this scheme and how to apply will be published on our website as soon as this is finalised.

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.

Click here to apply for a lockdown grant

COVID-19 Business Support

Business Summit 2020

Business rates

Business health and safety

Food businesses

Licences and permits

Working with the Council

Commercial property

Business support services

Leaving the EU

Business and licensing news

More financial support for business

Businesses in St Albans District which have been forced to close during the current lockdown could be entitled to more financial support.

Crinkle Crankle Garden on the Wheathampstead Heritage Trail

St Albans BID “improving the local economy”

St Albans Business Improvement District (BID) has taken on an important role in developing the local economy since it was formed three years ago, a report has concluded.

Council distributes almost £1.3 million of grants to local businesses

Almost £1.3 million of non-repayable grants have been given to small businesses and voluntary groups in St Albans District to help them during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Invitation to attend business summit

Business leaders in St Albans District are urged to attend an online summit where a number of vital issues are to be highlighted and discussed.

Kickstart Scheme underway in St Albans District

Employers in St Albans District are urged to join the Kickstart Scheme which offers funding to create job opportunities for 16 to 24-year olds.

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.

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