Dear Otley businesses
At the end of May we informed you that Leeds City Council had put live their Small Business Discretionary Grant. This grant is available for small businesses and charities in Leeds and you can apply until 28 June 2020.
You fed back to us and it became clear that there was some confusion over who could apply for this grant. We have therefore been in contact with LCC and have gathered some more eligibility information which may help to understand if you can apply for this financial grant.
Who is this grant for?
The business would need to be actively trading on the 11th March.
The grant is about helping those with fixed property costs who aren’t in a position to give up in the short term their ongoing property obligations, hence why the grant is 50% of fixed property costs for a 6 month period up to the maximum of £10,000.
The funding is about helping some of those businesses who are incurring high fixed property costs who have missed out on support. The criteria is different from the main Covid grant scheme on the basis that eligibility is not defined by the Business Rates system and whether an applicant is on the Business Rates Register and liable as the Rate Payer.
Some examples are listed below of businesses who were not eligible for the main Covid grant scheme, but who are eligible for this new discretionary fund :
- Non – retail, hospitality or leisure businesses that have a Rateable Value between £15,000 – £51,000 and therefore would not have received any grant first time round
- Supplier to the Events Industry – occupies property with a Rateable Value above £15,000 and less than £51,000. Can demonstrate significant loss of sales & future orders due to Covid (the main Summer season for the events industry has in effect been cancelled)
- Supplier to the Hospitality Industry – wholesaler of beverages/drinks, no retail arm occupying property with a RV between £15k – £51K. Similar Covid Impact to above
- Childcare Day Nursery – business closed from Mid March to the 1st June, occupying property with a RV between £15K – 51K. Similar Covid Impact to above
- Construction Business – provides scaffolding. Occupying premises with a RV between £15K – £51K. Similar Covid Impact to above
- Café – RV slightly above £51K, rent below £51K pa. Covid Impact as above
- Coach Company – occupies property with a RV between £15K – £51K. Similar Covid Impact as above
- Martial Arts Academy based in shared workspace, Rating liability sits with landlord. Similar Covid Impact as above
- Dentists – numerous, many just private sector patients. Occupy property with a RV £15K – £51K. Similar Covid Impact as above
- Independent Bar – occupies property with a RV just over £51K, rent below £51K pa. Similar Covid Impact as above
- Training Provider – numerous, occupies property with a RV between £15k and £51K. Similar Covid Impact as above
CLICK HERE to check if you are eligible and to apply
Applications will close on 28th June.
Should you want a bit more information, please see the published a press release HERE.
As a quick reminder on the original Covid grants there are two:
- Small Business Grant Fund – £10,000 grants for small businesses registered for business rates who occupy one property with a Rateable Value below £15,000 (& hence eligible for Small Business Rate Relief)
- Retail Hospitality Leisure Grant (RHLG) – either £10,000 or £25,000 for the eligible rate payer who occupies properties with a RV below £51,000 which are used by visiting members of the public (principally shops, cafes, restaurants & a list of other uses contained in the government’s expanded Retail Guidance). Eligibility for the grant is determined by eligibility for the Expanded Retail Rate Relief (providing 100% rates relief in 2020/21)
If you have any questions please contact the Business Rates Department at Leeds Council using the above link in the first instance. If you need any further help please send us a message via our social media platforms (Facebook or Twitter) or email info@otleybid.co.uk
Rachelle Atkin
Otley Business Improvement District Champion