Update on Covid-19 Business Funding

Just in case our Members haven’t seen recent information from Welsh Government on funding for businesses affected by Covid-19, here is the latest information we have received from Brecon Beacons Tourism. Although some of it relates specifically to guidance issued by Powys, other Local Authorities should have similar arrangements in place:

1. Economic Reliance Fund – Now fully subscribed

The £100m business grants element of the Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience Fund (ERF) has been fully subscribed with more than 5,500 businesses applying for support since the fund went live at 3pm on Wednesday. A notice on the Business Wales website yesterday states:

“Due to high demand, the ERF Business Development Grant is suspended while we process the applications received. Please monitor the Business Wales Covid-19 Support For Business website and our social media channels for other support and updates.”

2. Lockdown Grants – still available – but also on first-come first-serve basis

Lockdown Business Rate Grants

These grants are being administered by Local Authorities in Wales, unlike the previous grants you will need to apply for these.

PLEASE NOTE – You will need to apply for these grants this time they WILL NOT BE ISSUED AUTOMATICALLY and it will be on a first come – first served basis, so we urge you to read the guidance was it does differ to last time and to apply promptly.

  • Applications for the grant will open today at 3pm Wednesday 28th October and will close on 20th November, or when the fund is fully committed. PLEASE NOTE, this fund is again on a “first come- first served” basis, and there is no appeal process.

Grant 1

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

Grant 2

A grant of £1,000 is being made available to all businesses eligible for small business rates relief (SBRR) in Wales with a rateable value of up to £12,000 (see e.g. Powys guidance for further detail).

  • Businesses eligible for small business rates relief that have been subject to local restrictions for 3 weeks or more and have been materially impacted (>50% reduction in turnover) up to the 23rd October 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.

You are not eligible for this grant if:

  • You are eligible for, or have received, the Lockdown Discretionary Grant from your Local Authority

Grant 3

A £1,000 grant to all ratepayers eligible for charitable relief and Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASC) relief and not for profit organisation who receive Discretionary Rates Relief (see guidance for further detail), who are operating in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors occupying properties with a rateable value of up to £12,000.

Eligible organisations can also apply for the top up grants referenced at Grant 2 above.

You will need to be on the Business Rates rating list for your local authority on 1 September 2020 and will need to complete a simple registration form to receive this grant.

For further information on this grant please read e.g. the Powys Lockdown Grant Guidance.

Lockdown Discretionary Grants

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 a 80% reduction in their turnover for that period.

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 a 80% reduction in their turnover for that period
  • AND have been subject to local restrictions for 3 weeks or more up to the 23rd October and experienced at least a 50% reduction in their turnover for that period.

Please Note – Powys businesses CANNOT apply for discretionary grant 2 as no part of the county was under a local lockdown prior to the firebreak. Powys businesses can ONLY apply for discretionary grant 1, if eligible.

You are not eligible for this discretionary grant if:

  • You are eligible for, or have received, the Lockdown Business Rates Grant from your Local Authority.

For further information on this grant please read e.g. the Powys Lockdown Discretionary Grant Guidance.

Applications will be 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.

To check your Local Authority guidance and how to apply, click link below (or Google your own Authority if it’s not listed!):
Powys County Council
Monmouthshire County Council
Carmarthenshire County Council
Merthyr Tydfil County Council
Torfaen County Council
Neath Port Talbot County Council
Rhondda Cynon Taff

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