Business support

Attention existing local restriction support grant recipients

Local restrictions support grant payments for the current national lockdown have been made to cover the six-week period up to and including 15 February 2021.

We are awaiting government guidance as to what will be available after this date.

If the local restrictions support grant scheme is extended, we will automatically make payments to customers that have previously demonstrated eligibility for the scheme, unless we are advised otherwise by the government.

Grants are available for businesses affected by coronavirus restrictions from November 2020 onwards.

There are also support payments if you have been told to self-isolate by NHS test and trace or if you need support to pay your rent.

Local restrictions support grant (LRSG)

If your business has been affected by the local restrictions imposed by government, then you may be entitled to the local restrictions support grant.

Additional restrictions grant

The additional restrictions grant is aimed at businesses that are not eligible for a local restrictions support grant.

This additional fund is aimed at businesses with ongoing fixed property-related costs.

Christmas support payment for wet-led pubs - from 2 December to 29 December 2020

Grants are available to pubs that derive less than 50% of their income from food sales and meet the scheme criteria.

Applications close on Sunday 28 February 2021.

Coronavirus job retention scheme

The coronavirus job retention scheme is available to employers during the new restrictions that began on 5 November.

Workers in any part of the UK can retain their job, even if their employer cannot afford to pay them, and be paid at least 80% of their salary up to £2500 a month.

The flexibility of the current coronavirus job retention scheme has been retained to allow employees to continue to work where they can.

Employers small or large, charitable or non-profit are eligible and because more businesses will need to close, they will now be asked to pay just national insurance and pensions contributions for their staff during the month of November.

The job support scheme (previously announced by the government) will not be introduced until after the coronavirus job retention scheme ends.

Other financial support for businesses during coronavirus

The government has put together a range of support for businesses which are collated on the GOV.UK website.

Support is available for:

Non-essential retail

While non-essential retail shops must close to the public, they can remain open for delivery to customers and click-and-collect.

If you don’t already have an online store for your business, free advice and step-by-step store builders are available, including:

These businesses are not endorsed by the council.

Once you’ve sorted out your online store, delivery and click-and-collect must be organised in a COVID-secure way. You may need to look at specific guidance for vehicles and other areas if you are changing your business model.

If the schemes above don't apply to you

The schemes currently announced by the government will not apply to every business and every employee.

If you do not qualify, you may wish to consider applying for Universal Credit. Please visit our Universal Credit page for more information.

Support from Enterprise M3 LEP Growth Hub

The Enterprise M3 Growth Hub has a dedicated page to provide the latest government advice and you can also contact their Growth Hub advisers on 01483 478098.

Additional support and advice are available from the National Business Support Helpline on 0800 998 1098. More information is available on the Enterprise M3 website.

Look after yourself

These are very stressful times for business owners, employees and those out of work. Please visit our mental health support page for links to organisations that may be able to help you.

General enquiries

If you would like further information on the schemes detailed above or are looking for other business support, you can contact the Economic Development team by email at business@easthants.gov.uk.