As Tier 3 local restrictions are introduced across South Yorkshire, Local Restrictions Support Grants will be available to businesses, with each local council negotiating their own support package from Government.
Additional support has also been announced for businesses in the hospitality, accommodation and leisure sectors that have been impacted in areas that are subject to Tier 2 restrictions.
Support for businesses in Tier 3 regions
Which businesses are eligible?
Support is available to businesses within South Yorkshire that:
- have been forced to close for at least 2 weeks due to formal restrictions
- pay business rates on the property they occupy
- are located within a local lockdown area
- are unable to provide in-person customer service from their premises
Businesses likely to be eligible for support* include:
- pubs and bars unable to operate as restaurants
- betting shops, adult gaming centres and casinos
- soft play centres
*Exclusions include businesses that closed due to reasons other than formal restrictions, and businesses which have reached the state aid limit.
What Support Grants will be available?
The support is worth up to £3,000 per month, depending on the rateable value of the business premises. This is likely to be as follows:
|
Rateable value |
Grant available (every two weeks) |
|
less than £15,000 |
£667 |
|
over £15,000 and less than £51,000 |
£1,000 |
|
£51,000 or over |
£1,500 |
Businesses are eligible for one grant per property liable for business rates within a local lockdown zone.
Grants are likely to be received in the form of an initial payment covering four weeks once an application is successful, followed by payments made every two weeks thereafter. This should continue whilst the restrictions are in place.
Discretionary funding may also be available to businesses that have not been forced to close, or do not pay business rates, but have been severely affected by the tightened measures. This will be determined by Local Authorities.
The latest announcements for Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster will be updated on the council websites.
Additional support for hospitality businesses in regions already under Tier 2 restrictions
Which businesses are eligible?
Businesses in the hospitality, accommodation and leisure sectors (including hotels, bars and restaurants) in areas under Tier 2 restrictions, that are not legally required to close but have been adversely impacted by the restrictions.
It will be at the discretion of local councils to determine which businesses are eligible for support.
What support will be available?
Additional funding is being provided to Local Authorities (LAs) to support businesses, depending on the number of hospitality and leisure businesses in their area.
The support is worth up to 70% of the grants available to legally closed businesses. The precise amount is to be determined by local councils, and we understand this to be available in addition to Tier 3 support.
|
Rateable value |
Approximate grant available (per month) |
|
less than £15,000 |
£934 |
|
over £15,000 and less than £51,000 |
£1,400 |
|
£51,000 or over |
£2,100 |
Eligible businesses will be able to apply for these grants retrospectively in areas that are already subject to Tier 2 restrictions (that is, from 12th October across South Yorkshire and 17th October in Chesterfield).
How and where to apply for Support Grants
Businesses should apply through their local council website. We advise that businesses regularly check these sites for the status of the grants.
- Sheffield City Council
- Barnsley
- Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
- Doncaster Council
- Chesterfield Borough Council (currently only Tier 2 additional support)
Please feel free to get in touch with your normal Shorts contact to talk any of the above through in more detail.
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Tom Whitworth
View my articlesTags: Business News, Covid-19
