South Holland businesses who have had to close due to pandemic urged to apply for grant

The latest round of grants available to South Holland businesses who have been forced to close due to COVID-19 has been launched.

The Local Restrictions Support Grant is the second round of government funding to help businesses through COVID-19 restrictions and is once again being metered out by South Holland District Council.

Businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or less will receive a payment of £1,334, those with a value of over £15,000 and less then £51,000 will receive £2,000 and those with a rateable value of £51,000 or above will receive a payment of £3,000.

To apply, businesses need to meet five main criteria, and must: 

• Have been required to close (by law) due to the Government lockdown restrictions from November 5 2020 (Businesses that have been ordered to remain closed since 23 March are also eligible to apply).
• Occupy a business property with a rateable value located in the South Holland district
• Have been trading before the date the restrictions came into force (5 November 2020)
• Have been unable to provide its usual in-person services from their premises (businesses that have adapted to provide click and collect or takeaway-only services remain eligible)
• Applicants must be the liable party registered with the Council for business rates purposes.

Businesses that operate mixed premises where part of the business has had to close (for example a car sales business that has been required to close, also provides an MOT testing and repair service) may also be eligible, if the national lockdown restrictions have resulted in the closure of their main service.

More information on the funding, plus details of how to apply, are available on the South Holland District Council website at www.sholland.gov.uk/lrsg.

This is the only place that these forms can be completed, and any third party websites or links not associated with South Holland District Council will not be able to access the grants and may be fraudulent.

Any businesses who are not eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grant may still receive future support through the discretionary Additional Restrictions Grant, which is still being finalised nationally by the Government. The Council has created an expression of interest form on their website, which businesses can fill out in advance to ensure that they are notified of any future support schemes as soon as they are ready for launch.

The form can be completed at www.sholland.gov.uk/arg, with any details provided used to assess business needs and criteria as soon as more information on future schemes is available.

Councillor Harry Drury, portfolio holder for growth and commercialisation, welcomed the new support scheme, saying: “It’s great that we have been able to provide vital financial support to so many businesses over the course of 2020, and I am pleased we are again able to offer funding to those feeling the greatest impact of this second national lockdown.

“Whilst I appreciate that the level of funding on offer does not necessarily represent many businesses usual turnover for a 28 day period, I hope that, alongside the furlough scheme currently in place, this grant opportunity helps support our local businesses to cover their key fixed costs.  

“We remain committed to supporting the economic recovery of South Holland from this difficult period, and that includes support for businesses of all sectors and sizes. If you are eligible for this new support scheme then please apply as quickly and accurately as possible so we can get the money through to you. If you are not eligible, please take the time to register an expression of interest in any future schemes, to ensure you can get the help you need as soon as it is available.”

More information on the other support available for businesses during the coronavirus pandemic is available at www.sholland.gov.uk/covidsupport