Great Yarmouth Borough Council are issuing further grants during the run-up to Easter as lockdown sets to ease, particularly aiming to support those in the hospitality industry as most businesses in the tourism sector remain shut.
Additional grants are being rolled out to eligible Great Yarmouth businesses throughout March. These grants come from further funds initiated by the government to pay out to local businesses to support them during the next stage of national restrictions. It comes at a time where many businesses are preparing to reopen their doors but with many staying closed until June at the earliest.
Most grants will be paid automatically to those who have already applied successfully in the past. However, businesses who have not yet applied may be eligible. The Great Yarmouth Borough Council website includes advice and support relating to applying for grants, as well as the full eligibility criteria set by the government.
Local Restrictions Support Grant
Local Restrictions Support Grants (LRSG) are available to companies who are liable for paying business rates and have been required to remain closed due to lockdown restrictions.
This includes leisure, non-essential retail, personal care (such as hair salons), sports facilities and those in the hospitality sector. Depending on the rateable value of the business premises, eligible businesses may receive a grant of £2,096, £3,143 or £4,714. This payment covers the period 16 February 16 – 31 March 2021.
The council will make automatic payments around 12th March to businesses which have already successfully applied to the LRSG scheme. Therefore, these businesses do not need to reapply.
Additional Restriction Grants for Hospitality
The Additional Restriction Grants (ARG) scheme has been extended to support those in the hospitality sector, providing an additional £2,000 for business-rated companies and £1,000 for non-business-rated companies which remain closed in accordance with government restrictions.
Similarly, automatic payments have been scheduled. Businesses which successfully applied in January therefore do not need to reapply to the ARG scheme.
Seasonal Business Support
Seasonal hospitality businesses may now claim for a new grant available under the ARG. This is specifically for businesses that can no longer open for Easter as originally intended. Eligible businesses can apply for payments of either £1,000 or £2,000 via the council’s website.
This is not an automatic payment, so eligible companies need to apply independently.
Online forms, information and support about the grants, eligibility criteria and further business advice can be found on the Great Yarmouth Borough Council website.
