Non-discretionary "National Lockdown" or local lockdown grant

In response to the coronavirus (Covid-19) situation, the government announced further financial support for businesses that are required to close because of restrictions in these sectors:

• non-essential retail
• indoor and outdoor leisure facilities
• entertainment venues
• personal care services
• hospitality venues, such as restaurants, bars and pubs
• hotels, hostels and B&Bs
   

Non-discretionary "National Lockdown" (Local Restrictions Support Grant - Closed)

The Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG - Closed) will:

• be issued for a 28 day period that a business is closed following the implementation of the restrictions
• only be available for business closures that started on or after 5 November
• be paid to certain businesses that have been ordered to close as a result of the restrictions and have a live business rates account
• be paid to businesses ordered to close but have repurposed to a click and collect, takeaway or delivery service
• be payable to certain businesses that have been open and trading as usual from their rated business premises before 5 November

Apply

Applications for this scheme are now closed.

Please bear with us while we process them as we should receive a high volume of applications. 

Deadlines

Applications for the current period of payment, 16 February to 31 March 2021, were accepted up until 31 May 2021.

For all other previous periods the deadline for applications is 31 March 2021.
 

Tier 2

Tier Two financial support for businesses who are closed. In Tier 2, a business running a public house, bar or other business involving the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises must cease to carry on that business, unless alcohol is only served for consumption on the premises as part of a table meal, and the meal is such as might be expected to be served as the main midday or main evening meal, or as a main course at either such meal.

Tier 4

Tier 4 financial support for businesses who have been forced to close.  This is for businesses that were open as usual, providing services in person to customers from their business premises, but which were then required to close for at least two weeks due to local lockdown restrictions.

National Lockdown

National lockdown financial support for businesses who have been forced to close. All businesses (that are business rate payers) and that have been instructed to close by the government regulations during national lockdown are eligible. This includes non-essential retail, leisure, personal care, sports facilities and hospitality businesses.

How much you can receive

This is how much grant you will receive:

• If your business is eligible and has a property with a rateable value of £15,000 or under, you'll receive a cash grant of £1,334 for each 28 day period your business is closed
• If your business is eligible and has a property with a rateable value of £15,001 up to and including £50,999, you'll receive a cash grant of £2,000 for each 28 day period your business is closed
• If your business is eligible and has a property with a rateable value of £51,000 or above, you'll receive a cash grant of £3,000 for each 28 day period your business is closed

Grants will be based on the rateable value of the property on 5 November 2020. 

Changes to the rateable value during lockdown will not impact the grant you receive.

Businesses will be entitled to receive a grant for each property they occupy.

Criteria

For the avoidance of doubt, businesses that were 'open as usual' means those that were trading, active in buying or selling goods or services in person, on the date that the lockdown was announced.

It excludes activities undertaken for the purposes of acquiring or setting up a new business.

Who cannot apply

You cannot receive the grant if your business:

• chose to close on or after 5 November  without being required to
• has already received grant payments that equal the maximum levels of State Aid permitted under the de minimis and the Covid-19 Temporary State Aid Framework (GOV.UK)

You cannot apply if your business:

• can continue to operate because it does not depend on providing direct in-person services from their premises and can operate their services effectively remotely, such as accountants and solicitors
• is in administration, insolvent or where a striking-off notice has been made
• was planning to close permanently within or prior to the lockdown period

Tax

Grant income is taxable but only businesses making an overall profit once the grant is included will be subject to tax. 

Counter Fraud

Local authorities will not accept deliberate manipulation and will work collaboratively across the region and nationally to share intelligence and resources to detect fraud.

Any business found to be giving false eligibility information or seeking to gain an additional grant will be investigated.

The council will recover money paid in error and fraudulent claims will be prosecuted in the courts. 

State Aid

The Local Restrictions Support Grant counts towards state aid. Read the rules on State Aid guidance and Temporary Framework for State Aid for COVID-19 responses (GOV.UK).

By accepting this grant you must confirm that you are not in breach of these rules. 

Within a three year period, payments of up to and including approximately £721,000 can be provided under the De Minimis rules, the equivalent of up to €800,000 of aid. 

Additional information

We have adopted a policy for this scheme.

► Uttlesford District Council Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) Scheme