Businesses which have so far missed out on Government Coronavirus funding can apply for discretionary grants through the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund.
Small and micro businesses with fixed property costs that are not eligible for the Small Business Grant Fund or the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund may be eligible for the Discretionary Grants Scheme which includes grants of £25,000, £10,000 or any amount under £10,000.
If your business is located in England, you have fewer than 50 employees, fixed building costs such as rent, were trading on 11 March 2020, and have been adversely impacted by the Coronavirus, you may be eligible for this grant.
Priority businesses include:
- small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces, such as units in industrial parks or incubators
- regular market traders
- bed and breakfasts paying council tax instead of business rates
- charity properties getting charitable business rates relief, which are not eligible for small business rates relief or rural rate relief
You cannot apply if your business pays business rates, or it is in administration, insolvent or has received a striking-off notice. You also cannot apply if you are already claiming under another Government grant scheme such as, for example, the Small Business Grant Fund, or the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant.
You are, however, eligible if you’ve applied for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme or the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.
Visit your local council’s website to find out how to apply: Find the website for your local council.
Your local council will run an application process and decide whether to offer you a grant.
You do not have to pay the grant back, but it will be taxable. Only businesses which make an overall profit once grant income is included will be subject to tax.
If you or your business require assistance to navigate this difficult time, please contact Mariske Byrnes or your usual BM Connect adviser.
