Dear Otley Businesses
Since the Lockdown 3 announcement on 4th January 2020, we have received quite a number of enquiries from Otley business owners seeking help in relation to the financial support that is available. I have, therefore, been in weekly contact with the Business Rates Department at Leeds City Council to understand what support is available during this 3rd lockdown, and when it will be released.
Please see below update which you may find helpful:
January Grant Payments
It is important to note that if you received the Grant for the November restrictions, you will be automatically issued the January grant payment, as soon as Leeds Council receive the grant monies from the Government (which is expected this week). There is no need to re-apply!
If you did not apply for the November Grant but you feel you are eligible, you can still apply here: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/coronavirus/grants-for-businesses/national-restrictions-grant-november-2020
Some of the key points are:
Support grants for Closed businesses
- The payment amount for the Support Grants for closed businesses will cover 42 days (6 weeks) from 5 January 2021, rather than the 14-day payment cycle for tiered restrictions
- The payment cycle will then be reviewed after 42 days have elapsed.
- Businesses that are eligible are those that have been mandated to close by Government and include non-essential retail, leisure, personal care, sports facilities and hospitality businesses.
- The amount of grants for the 42 day period will be as follows:-
- Businesses with a rateable value of exactly £15,000 or under – £2,001
- Businesses with a rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 – £3,000
- Businesses with a rateable value of exactly £51,000 or above – £4,500
Lockdown grants (top up cash grants for retail, leisure and hospitality)
- The Lockdown Payment will be in addition to the Support Grants for Closed Businesses
- Local Authorities will be provided with funding to deliver a one-off payment for businesses that have been required to close from 5 January 2021 due to the introduction of national restrictions. This funding is not retrospective (for before 5 January).
- Businesses that are eligible are those that have been mandated to close by Government and include non-essential retail, leisure, personal care, sports facilities and hospitality businesses.
- The following amounts will be paid to eligible (closed) businesses:
- Businesses with a rateable value of exactly £15,000 or under – £4,000.
- Businesses with a rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 – £6,000
- Businesses with a rateable value of exactly £51,000 or above – £9,000.
It is important to note that the above grants relate to businesses which have been required to close under the National Lockdown restrictions, not businesses which have taken the decision to close due to the impact of the restrictions. Businesses that operate primarily as an in-person venue, but which have been forced to close those services and provide a takeaway-only service instead will still be eligible.
If your business has not been required to close as a result of the National Lockdown restrictions, e.g. you are classed as essential retail or a service, but you have been impacted by the restrictions and the pandemic, OR if you have been required to close but you do not have a business rates account, you can apply for a discretionary grant – further details are available here: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/coronavirus/grants-for-businesses
The government has published the guidance for Local Authorities on administering the Support Grants for closed businesses, and the top up cash grants for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses. You can find the full guidance here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/951799/business-support-package-january-2021-lockdown-la-guidance.pdf
Finally, just to reiterate in terms of applying for grants: If you have already applied for a grant payment since 1st November 2020, you do not need to re-apply for the above grants.
If you have any questions once you’ve read the above information and relevant links, please email me at rachelle.atkin@otleybid.co.uk and I will do what I can to help. (Please do not add a comment to this post as the website isn’t monitored as regularly as direct emails.)
#StaySafeOtley
Rachelle Atkin
Otley Business Improvement District Champion