Over £1 million paid to businesses across the city as further lifeline grants become available

Following the recent national restrictions, Stoke-on-Trent City Council has already allocated £1,110,760 in lifeline funding to businesses across the city.

Over the past two weeks the city council has received 1057 applications for the ‘Local Restrictions Support Grant for closed businesses.’ Following assessment, 759 businesses successfully have received a grant, some weren’t eligible while a further 26 require additional information. 

The scheme is for businesses that were legally required to close as part of the national lockdown which began on 5 November 2020. Businesses that received grants during the first lockdown may also be eligible for these additional grants. Grants have been issued in the city to:
- 265 hairdressers, barbers and beauticians
- 228 for non-essential retail
- 159 in the hospitality sector
- 103 for leisure
- 4 hotels
 
Businesses across the city are now set to receive further grants to help them through the coronavirus pandemic, under the ‘Local Restrictions Support Grant for open businesses’ and the’ Additional Restrictions Grant’.

The Local Restrictions Support Grant for open businesses is for businesses severely impacted by the localised restrictions that came into force on 24 October 2020 to 4 November 2020.  Payments will be pro-rated for the 12 days under the tier 2 restrictions.

The following grants are applicable for this scheme:
- Grants of up to £934 for a 28-day period for hospitality, hotel, bed & breakfast and leisure businesses occupying premises with a rateable value of exactly £15,000 or under on the date of the start of the local restrictions (24 October).
- Grants of up to £1,400 for a 28-day period for hospitality, hotel, bed & breakfast and leisure businesses occupying premises with a rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 on the date at the start of the local restrictions (24 October).
- Grants of up to £2,100 for a 28-day period for hospitality, hotel, bed & breakfast and leisure businesses occupying premises with a rateable value of exactly £51,000 or above on the date at the start of the local restrictions (24 October).

Leader of the city council leader Abi Brown said: “It is fantastic to see so many businesses have already benefited from the first scheme, we want as many businesses as possible to be able to benefit from these next schemes. We know this funding is a lifeline that can help businesses to keep going through the restrictions in response to the coronavirus.

“The Local Restrictions Support Grant for open businesses is primarily aimed at hospitality, hotel, bed & breakfast and leisure businesses, which were affected by the local restrictions before the national lockdown. We will be assessing eligibility for this scheme from the applications we’ve already had for the Local Restrictions Support Grant for closed businesses. This means that businesses do not need to complete a separate application form if they have already applied.” 

Businesses are now also able to benefit from the Additional Restrictions Grant. Under this grant, the city council received a one-off lump sum payment amounting to £20 per head of population as national restrictions were imposed on 5 November.

Under phase one of this scheme, funds will be provided to businesses that are seriously impacted by the national lockdown but do not qualify for the Local Restrictions Support Grant for closed businesses.

Leader of the city council leader Abi Brown said: “Businesses are the lifeblood of our city, and we know that the coronavirus has impacted on so many. This scheme went live on Thursday and we have already had 119 applications.

“We are continuing to provide a range of support to the people that need it and I’m pleased that this money is going to help them through this most testing of times. We also have a helpline available for businesses to ring. 

“By contacting us people can find out when their application will be processed and will be advised about any other government support they may be able to access. Since Stoke-on-Trent moved into tier 2 – high alert level and the subsequent national lockdown we have received 828 calls from businesses. We know having this dedicated phone line is proving to be a valuable resource and we will be continuing to assist with more queries over coming days and weeks.”

Businesses are encouraged to check the criteria and apply via: www.stoke.gov.uk/businessgrants.