Restart Grants available to businesses reopening after lockdown restrictions ease

BUSINESSES that were forced to shut down during the national lockdown can apply for a government grant aimed at helping them to operate safely as restrictions ease. Firms that have previously…

BUSINESSES that were forced to shut down during the national lockdown can apply for a government grant aimed at helping them to operate safely as restrictions ease.

Firms that have previously received a government Covid-19 business support grant are being contacted to confirm eligibility and will be paid via their existing details held by Barrow Borough Council.

The new initiative is to support non-essential retail and hospitality, leisure, gym, personal care and accommodation businesses.

The Government’s Restart Grant was announced in the budget in March and will be administered by local councils from this month (April) and will close at the end of June.

One-off grants of up to £6,000 are available for non-essential retail businesses. The following thresholds apply for these businesses:

a. Rateable value of exactly £15,000 or under on 1 April 2021 are eligible for a payment of £2,667.

b. Rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 on 1 April 2021 are eligible for a payment of £4,000.

c. Rateable value of exactly £51,000 or over on 1 April 2021 are eligible for a payment of £6,000.

The Restart Grant will also support hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym business premises with one-off grants of up to £18,000 in Strand Two of the Restart Grant. The following thresholds apply for these businesses:

a. Rateable value of exactly £15,000 or under on 1 April 2021 are eligible for a payment of £8,000.

b. Rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 on 1 April 2021 are eligible for a payment of £12,000.

c. Rateable value of exactly £51,000 or over on 1 April 2021 are eligible for a payment of £18,000.

A spokesperson for Barrow Borough Council said: If you own a business in any of the eligible sectors, we urge that you visit our website to see whether you qualify. The scheme is now open but it will close on June 30.

“During that period, our team will be working very hard to process applications and help distribute the grants as quickly as possible.

“Of course the best way in which we can support businesses on our high street is to shop local and we are encouraging everyone to do that in as safe and Covid secure way as possible.”

Businesses must have been trading on April 1, 2021 to be eligible to receive funding under this scheme.