New grant scheme for lockdown affected businesses
08/12/2020
Additional Restrictions Grant is for businesses who have been unable to claim a Local Restrictions Support Grant
A new grant scheme has been made available for businesses affected by the latest lockdown period who were unable to claim under the previously announced Local Restrictions Support Grants. Cherwell District Council is now inviting applications for financial support under this new discretionary grant scheme.
Payments from the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) are subject to the number of applications received and the remaining funding, but expected to range in value from £1,334 to £3,000. This will also depend on whether a business pays rates, and if so, on the rateable value of their property.
Organisations eligible for the ARG will include businesses which were forced to close during the lockdown, but which do not have a business rates account and businesses which were not forced to close but which were adversely affected by the lockdown.
In exceptional circumstances, the council may also offer grants to larger local businesses which have a critical role in supporting the district’s economy. These applications will be decided on a case-by-case basis, and all applications to the ARG scheme will be determined in accordance with a clear policy which is available on the council website.
Councillor Lynn Pratt, Cherwell District Council’s Lead Member for Economy, Regeneration and Property, said: “This new grant scheme is going to make a real difference to enterprises and traders who are not eligible for the existing Local Restrictions Support Grants. The ARG will be relevant to a range of businesses: for instance, those who work in shared spaces, market traders, and suppliers to pubs, restaurants and the events sector.
“I salute the resilience and determination of everyone who is working to keep their business on a sustainable footing during these extremely difficult times. We are working extremely hard to get this support out to those who need it and encourage any businesspeople who believe they may be eligible to apply.”
The council is aiming to decide all applications within 10 working days, from receipt of all the required information.
Before applying for the ARG businesses are asked to read the eligibility criteria and to make sure they are not eligible for the earlier Local Restrictions Support Grant scheme. Applications to this are still open.
More information and the application forms for both grants are available here.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
