Support for local businesses closed during the second lockdown is available in the form of the Local Restrictions Support Grant – LRSG (Closed) and the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG). Both schemes are administered through your Local Authority (LA).
LRSG (Closed) will provide mandatory grants of up to £3,000 per 28-day national lockdown period per property, and is dependent on the rateable value of each property.
The ARG provides discretionary additional funding for closed businesses that do not pay business rates and can provide support for businesses that have not been required to close but are severely impacted by the restrictions. LAs have the discretion to establish business grant schemes or other business support that best fits their area.
Kay Brookes, partner at Bates Weston comments:
“Some local authorities have already opened their application processes, Derby City council for example – Bates Weston’s own local authority – is accepting applications through its website.”
Their website suggests :
Businesses registered for business rates within Derby City, with a rateable value, who have been forced to close through the lockdown period are asked to apply for the LRSG by logging into their Derby My Account and applying there for the LRSG. Queries should be directed to the Business Rates Team.
Those businesses affected by the national lockdown, but which either do not have a rateable value or have not been forced to close are asked to apply through their Derby My Account for the ARG and queries should be directed to the Economic Growth Team.
A check on surrounding Local Authority websites today reveals that some have already opened their application processes, Derby City, Chesterfield Borough, South Derbyshire District while others expect to publish further details shortly.
The links below will take you to the relevant local authority webpages and their published status as at 16 Nov 2020.
Amber Valley Borough Council – Further info to be posted shortly
Derby City Council – apply now through Derby My Account
Derbyshire Dales District Council – online application system expected by 25 Nov 2020
North East Derbyshire District Council – expecting to launch application process by 20 Nov 2020
Chesterfield Borough Council – online claim form through account on website
Bolsover District Council – further details expected shortly
South Derbyshire District Council – apply online
Erewash Borough Council – expecting link to online form to be provided shortly