Lockdown grants still available for eligible businesses

Businesses in Bridgend county borough which are facing operational and financial challenges caused by the local and national firebreak Covid-19 lockdown restrictions still have time to apply for Welsh Government funding.

Eligible firms that haven’t already applied for grants from the Lockdown Business Fund, which opened at the end of October, can still do so until 5pm on November 20 or until the fund is fully committed.

Hundreds of businesses across the county borough have had applications for funding approved through this grant scheme and we invite any other eligible firms who haven’t already applied to do so.

The funding aims to provide businesses with cash flow support to help them survive the economic consequences of the recent Covid-19 lockdowns. Businesses are understandably concerned about the future and we continue to focus our resources on supporting them at this very difficult time.

Bridgend County Borough Council leader Huw David

The Lockdown Non Domestic Rate Grant is still open for applications from businesses that are liable for paying business rates. Following a review of applications received to date, the Lockdown Discretionary Fund will be re-opening for new applications on Monday, November 16, at midday.

The Lockdown Non Domestic Grant (NDR) – Grant 1 

A grant of £5,000 is available for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses that have been forced to close - as defined by the regulations - and occupy properties with a rateable value of between £12,001 and £51,000.

Businesses will need to be on the NDR rating list for their local authority on 1 September 2020 and will need to complete a simple registration form to receive the grant. Businesses must be liable for business rates payable to the local authority to be eligible for this grant.

The guidance lists the properties that will benefit from the relief as being wholly or mainly used:

• As shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues
• For assembly and leisure
• As hotels, guest and boarding premises and self-catering accommodation.

The grant is also available to not-for-profit organisations occupying eligible properties such as charity shops, including those already eligible for partial mandatory relief on those properties.

The Lockdown Non Domestic Grant (NDR) - Grant 2 

A grant of £1,000 is being made available to businesses eligible for small business rates relief in Wales occupying properties with a rateable value of up to £12,000 – some exceptions apply. Businesses must be liable for business rates payable to the local authority to be eligible for this grant.

Dependent on meeting the eligibility criteria, Grant 2 applicants can also apply for the following top-up grants:

• Businesses eligible for small business rates relief that have been subject to local restrictions for 3 weeks or more and have been materially impacted (more than 50 percent reduction in turnover) up to October 23 will be eligible for a further grant of £1,000
• and businesses eligible for small business rates relief that have been forced to close - as defined by the regulations - as a result of the national firebreak lockdown will also be eligible for a further top up grant of £2,000 from their local authority.

Businesses will need to be on the NDR rating list for their local authority on 1 September 2020 and will need to complete a simple application form to receive the grant.

The Lockdown Discretionary Grant 1

A discretionary grant of £1,500 is available to assist businesses that have:

• Been forced to close (as defined by the regulations) as a result of the national firebreak lockdown
• OR are able to demonstrate that the national firebreak lockdown will result in at least an 80 percent reduction in their turnover for that period

The Lockdown Discretionary Grant 2

A discretionary grant of £2,000 is available to assist businesses that have:

• Been forced to close (as defined by the regulations) as a result of the national firebreak lockdown
• OR are able to demonstrate that the national firebreak lockdown will result in at least an 80% reduction in their turnover for that period
• AND have been subject to local restrictions for 3 weeks or more up to October 23 and experienced at least a 50% reduction in their turnover for that period.

You cannot apply for both grants and will need to confirm that without the grant support the viability of the enterprise will be under threat, and outline why.

To apply or for more details about the grants available as part of the fund, visit the Bridgend County Borough Council business support webpage.

Applications are dealt with on a first come first served basis. This may lead to applications not being appraised after they have been submitted if the fund is fully committed.