The final details relating to eligibility of these grants has only recently been confirmed but some Local Authorities have put swiftly approaching application deadlines in place so members need to act promptly if they feel they qualify for such a grant by contacting their Local Authority (usually via the Local Authority's website).
While the grants are discretionary, national government criteria for eligibility include:
• Businesses with ongoing property costs but which do not pay business rates
• Businesses who can demonstrate they have suffered a significant fall in income related to COVID-19
• Businesses which were trading on 11 March 2020
• Businesses with fewer than 50 employees
Among our members, typical businesses which may be able to claim are bed and breakfasts, regular farmer’s market traders, ‘pick your own’ enterprises and food processors supplying hospitality outlets such as cheese makers using their own milk. Other food producers may also be able to apply, for example those who predominantly supply local pubs and restaurants and have had no other or limited outlets for their produce due to lockdown requirements.
Many Local Authorities have also based their criteria on economic need within their localities. If applying, members should also consider what their business contributes to the local rural economy. This could be employment, supporting other local businesses and tourism, or preservation of our iconic landscapes upon which rural tourism is dependant.
皇家华人is writing to the Local Government Association asking them to encourage their Local Authority members to consider agricultural and rural businesses when making decisions in relation to awarding grants.
Eligibility for the Self-employed Income Support Scheme and Job Retention Scheme does not prevent eligibility for these discretionary grants.
Further information as regards levels of grant and eligibility / ineligibility can be found on 皇家华人 here and on Gov.UK .
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