Businesses urged to apply for Covid support grants as deadline looms

Eligible businesses across Cumbria are being reminded by local authorities to apply for the two latest coronavirus support grants schemes before it is too late.

Administered by the six district and borough council’s across the county, the Restart Grant scheme closes at midnight on June 30.

Meanwhile the window for applying for the third round of the Additional Restrictions Grants closes at varying dates, June 30 in the Eden and Allerdale areas, at noon on July 7 in South Lakeland but Carlisle City Council have already closed their applications.

Restart Grants of up to £18,000 are available to support businesses within the business rates list that are predominantly reliant on delivering in-person services to the general public from their business premises.

Grants of up to £6,000 are being paid to non-essential retail businesses. The grant will help support businesses to reopen their premises safely following the easing of restrictions.

Businesses within the following sectors may be eligible to apply:

  • Non-essential retail businesses;
  • Hospitality businesses;
  • Accommodation providers, including self-contained holiday lets;
  • Leisure businesses, including community and village halls;
  • Gym and sports facilities;
  • Personal care businesses.

Businesses must have been trading on April 1, 2021 to be eligible to receive funding under the Restart grant scheme.

It is expected that, although the business is not able to provide in-person services from the premises on April 1, 2021, trading and business activity is still ongoing.

The restart grant is available to eligible business-rate payers operating from fixed rate-paying premises only.

The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) scheme is open for applications to support businesses with fixed property costs that aren’t eligible under the Restart Grant scheme.

The grant will help support businesses which can demonstrate that they have been severely impacted by the phased lifting of Covid-19 restrictions and the knock-on effect of business-related restrictions linked to the pandemic.

Businesses with fixed property costs either within or outside the business rates list may be eligible to apply, including the following:

  • B&Bs registered for council tax;
  • Small businesses in shared commercial space;
  • Regular market traders selling non-essential retail goods;
  • Local manufacturers;
  • Wholesalers or supply chain companies;
  • Outside catering and event industry supplier companies, including wedding suppliers;
  • Tour and group travel operators;
  • Nursery and childcare businesses;
  • Local charities, cultural and heritage organisations and outdoor education organisations;
  • Kennels and catteries providing animal boarding facilities for leisure purposes;
  • Town and parish councils providing leisure facilities;
  • Other businesses severely impacted by Covid-19 restrictions.

Businesses in Allerdale borough can find more information here.

Barrow borough-based businesses can find more information here.

Carlisle-based business can find more information here.

Businesses in Copeland borough can access more information and apply here.

Eden district-based businesses can find the ARG eligibility criteria and an application form here. For the Restart Grant scheme, an eligibility criteria and application form can be found here.

For businesses in the South Lakeland district, full details of both grant schemes can be found here.

Applicants are asked to ensure they read all the details on this webpage before applying, including the full eligibility criteria and an information checklist of what they need to have ready before applying.

**The Chamber advises businesses to check its Covid Toolkit, which has details of the new restrictions and links to apply for grants for businesses that are affected by the restrictions.

The toolkit is on the Chamber’s website and can be accessed by clicking here.

© Cumbria Chamber of Commerce