COVID-19 Business Support and Guidance

Further financial support for businesses - 'Restart Grants' 

The Government have recently announced further financial support for businesses from April 2021 to help them to re-open safely. These non-repayable grants are entitled 'restart grants' and replace the previous Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) schemes.  

Non-essential retail premises (such as shops) that are rated for Business Rates can receive a one-off payment of up to £6,000 as described below. 

• Business with a Rateable Value of £15k or under as at the 1st of April 2021 will receive a one-off payment of £2,667. 
• Business with a Rateable Value between £15K and £51K as at the 1st of April 2021 will receive a one-off payment of £4,000. 
• Business with a Rateable Value of £51K or over as at the 1st of April 2021 will receive a one-off payment of £6,000.  

Hospitality (such as pubs and restaurants), Accommodation, Leisure, Personal Care (such as hairdressers and beauticians) and Gym business premises that are rated for Business Rates can receive a one-off payment of up to £18,000 as described below. 

• Business with a Rateable Value of £15k or under as at the 1st of April 2021 will receive a one-off payment of £8,000. 
• Business with a Rateable Value between £15K and £51K as at the 1st of April 2021 will receive a one-off payment of £12,000. 
• Business with a Rateable Value of £51K or over as at the 1st of April 2021 will receive a one-off payment of £18,000. 

It will be necessary for business to apply for these grants, even if they have previously received grants from the Local Authority.  Please use the link on the right to submit an application for a Restart Grant. 

St Albans City and District Council is committed to getting these payments to eligible businesses as quickly as possible. However, unlike previous grants schemes we are now required to carry out various anti-fraud checks prior to making payment. This may delay the process slightly and we would appreciate your patience and understanding. 

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

***PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY ASSESSING A LARGE VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS. You do not need to reapply if you have already submitted an application. Supporting evidence and fraud checks are needed before grants can be paid.***

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. Applications for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open) must be made by the 31st of March 2021 but we can still accept applications for the Additional Restriction Grant after this date. 

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