Information about Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Maintaining the safety of everyone in the district is our top priority and we're working with our partner organisations to closely monitor developments.

Information about how we're responding and the latest guidance for the North West of England

Coronavirus Update

Financial Support for Businesses

Local Restrictions Support Grant- TIER 3

Effective Dates - 17th October- 5th November

This grant funding is aimed at business that fall in the Hospitality, Leisure and Accommodation sectors only.

Please DO NOT apply for the Tier 3 funding if your business is not listed.

The Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) supports businesses that were open as usual, providing services in person to customers from their business premises, but which were then required to close due to local lockdown restrictions imposed by government (Tier 3). Payment will be made based on each full 14-day closure period.

If your business has subsequently provided an alternative service you may still be eligible as it has been required to close the part of the business that provides its main service. 

Eligibility

Your business may be eligible if it occupies a property on the Valuation Office ratings list as at 16th October 2020

The following types of business may qualify

  • Bars and pubs
  • Licensed clubs
  • Bingo halls,
  • Bookmakers/betting shops
  • Car boot sales
  • Soft play areas
  • Adult gaming centres (amusement arcades)

You will receive:

  • Rateable value of £15,000 or less - £667 for each 14-day restriction period
  • Rateable value between £15,001 and £51,000 - £1,000 for each 14-day restriction period
  • Rateable value of £51,001 or more - £1,500 for each 14-day restriction period.

We will be contacting businesses that we deem to be eligible but if you feel your business meets the above criteria then please submit your application without delay.

Application

Before you apply, you must have the following information available to complete your application:

  • Your 8 digit Business Rates reference. This begins with a 5 or 6 and can be found on your latest Business Rates bill or letter.

Application for Tier 3 Local Restrictions Support Grant

Local Restrictions Support Grant- National Lockdown

Effective Dates- 5th November- 2nd December

This grant funding is aimed at business that have been mandated to close under the National Lockdown restrictions only.

The following link outlines which businesses are required to close in the National Lockdown period

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november

The Local Restrictions Support Grant supports businesses that were open as usual, providing services in person to customers from their business premises, but which were then required to close due to National Lockdown restrictions imposed by government. Payments will be made based on a 28-day closure period.

If your business has subsequently provided an alternative service you may still be eligible as it has been required to close the part of its business that provides its main service. 

PLEASE NOTE- Business that are eligible for, and claiming the TIER 3 funding will revert from 14-day payments to a 28-day payment period for the duration of the National Lockdown period.

Eligibility

Your business may be eligible if it occupies a property on the Valuation Office ratings list as at 16th October 2020

The following types of business may qualify:

  • Non-essential retail- These venues can continue to be able to operate click-and-collect (where goods are pre-ordered and collected off the premises) and delivery services.
  • Hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs
  • Accommodation such as hotels, hostels, guest houses and campsites.
  • Leisure and sports facilities
  • Personal care facilities such as hair, beauty, tanning and nail salons
  • Community centres and halls

You will receive:

  • Rateable value of £15,000 or less - £1,334 for each 28-day restriction period
  • Rateable value between £15,001 and £51,000 - £2,000 for each 28-day restriction period
  • Rateable value of £51,001 or more - £3,000 for each 28-day restriction period.

Before you apply, you must have the following information available to complete your application:

  • Your 8 digit Business Rates reference. This begins with a 5 or 6 and can be found on your latest Business Rates bill or letter.

Application for National Lockdown Local Restrictions Support Grant

Discretionary Business Support Grants

We are working tirelessly to ensure that businesses who are not eligible to apply for the Tier 3 or National Lockdown grants can access some financial support through this challenging time. The discretionary scheme is to support businesses who have been adversely affected by Covid-19.

The Government is sending us further guidance as to how we can implement the Discretionary Scheme for Rossendale and we expect to receive further information W/C 16th November.

We will update this website with details of how to apply as soon as possible.

Please DO NOT apply for the Tier 3 or National Lockdown grants if you are not eligible.

Still not sure?

We have a dedicate team on hand to deal with your enquiries and are endeavouring to deal with your requests in good time. Applications for grant funding can be made above but if you require more focused business advice or further information then do not hesitate to email the Economic Development Team 

Please do not submit multiple applications as this will add to delays in processing

Fraud

You may face prosecution if you have manipulated or falsified your position in order to obtain these payments, including failure to close your business which puts others at risk.

Any payment made as a result of fraud may be subject to claw back, as may any grants paid in error.

The Government is supporting Local Councils to make the necessary checks to ensure payments can be verified and have been made correctly.

By applying for any grant / financial assistance you give your consent for any Fraud checks to be carried out. The Privacy Notice details the various checks that are conducted

State Aid

The United Kingdom left the EU on 31 January 2020. Under the Withdrawal Agreement, the State Aid rules continue to apply during a transition period, subject to regulation by the EU Commission.

Businesses who receive awards of Government grant funding such as the Local Restrictions Support Grant are required to comply with the EU law on State Aid.

Payments made will be provided under the existing De Minimis rules, provided doing so does not exceed the €200,000 threshold.

Payments made where the De Minimis threshold has been reached will be paid under the Covid-19 Temporary Framework for UK Authorities (threshold €800,000).

Businesses that have reached the limits of payments permissible under the De Minimis and the UK Covid-19 Temporary State Aid Framework will not be able to receive further grant funding.