Apply now: new coronavirus discretionary grant launched for businesses
Small businesses forced to close or severely affected by November’s coronavirus lockdown are the focus of a new Hackney Council fund opened for applications today.
The Additional Restrictions Grant, administered by the Council, is aimed at small businesses who either had to legally close for the national lockdown in November and don’t have a business rates account, or those were not legally required to close but were severely affected as a result of the November lockdown period.
When considering applications from businesses that were not legally required to close, the Council will prioritise businesses that supply the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, businesses in the events sector, market traders and Ofsted registered nurseries and childminders.
The grant can support a range of businesses including, but not limited to, the self-employed, directors of limited companies, freelancers and those running home-based businesses in the borough.
The grants are funded by the Government, which has not provided enough funding to ensure payments meet the scale of businesses’ needs.
We’ve designed this grant to ensure that the hundreds of businesses that haven’t been able to access the recent Government local and national restriction grants, but were severely affected by the recent lockdown, can apply for some funding to ease the ongoing financial difficulties they are facing.
Like the existing grant funds provided by the Government these payments won’t even cover the majority of businesses commercial rent for the lockdown period, but our aim is to at least ensure as many businesses as possible receive some financial aid.
Eligible businesses will receive a one-off payment of up to £3,000 depending on the business size (based on number of employees) or the rateable value of their premises. Payment amounts have been set by the Council to reflect the grants amounts given to businesses who were legally required to close during the November lockdown under the Local Support Restriction Grant (Closed) Addendum.
Businesses wishing to apply for a grant will need to evidence their eligibility by providing company information, personal identification and financial records with their application which will then be assessed by Council officers in January.
Applications close on 8 January 2021. To apply, visit hackney.gov.uk/business-grants