In response to COVID-19 the Government has set out a package of temporary and targeted measures to provide additional support to businesses. These measures include:
- a statutory sick pay relief package for SMEs
- a 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England
- small business grant funding of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief
- grant funding of up to £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
- the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme to support long-term viable businesses who may need to respond to cash-flow pressures by seeking additional finance
- the HMRC Time To Pay Scheme
The Gov.UK website provides additional information relating to these measures and can be accessed at the following link.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
The Council will be responsible for administering the business rate relief and grant funding packages announced by the Government. This correspondence is to reassure businesses across the Borough that the administration of the business rate reliefs and grant payments is classed as the Council’s top priority and that grant payments will be made as soon as the information is available for us to do so.
The Council has set up an information page on its website where useful links and updated information will appear at: https://www.scarborough.gov.uk/covid19supportforbusiness
We have set out below an update on the Council’s current position in terms of administering the reliefs and grants payments. The Council’s webpage will be regularly updated as and when further information becomes available.
12-month business rates holiday for all retail businesses
If your business rates bill for the 2020/21 financial year showed that your business was eligible for 50% retail relief this relief will be increased to 100%. You do not need to apply for this relief or contact us about it. We are currently in the process of applying the uplifted relief against your business rate account and expect to issue revised bills imminently.
If you have a Direct Debit set up against a business rates account that is eligible for this relief no payments will be taken in respect of the 2020/21 financial year. You do not need to notify us to cancel your Direct Debit arrangement.
If you have a retail business with a rateable value in excess of £51k you will now be eligible for 100% business rate relief.
If you are not a national retail chain you do not need to apply for this relief or contact us about it. We are currently in the process of applying the uplifted relief against your business rate account and expect to issue revised bills imminently.
If you have a Direct Debit set up against a business rates account that is eligible for this relief no payments will be taken in respect of the 2020/21 financial year. You do not need to notify us to cancel your Direct Debit arrangement.
12-month business rates holiday for all hospitality and leisure businesses
We are currently awaiting government guidance on the criteria of business that will be classified as hospitality and leisure. It is anticipated that this guidance will be received on Friday 20th March.
Once this information is available we will update business rate accounts accordingly and issue updated business rate bills.
Small business grant funding of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief
We are currently awaiting government guidance on the methodology for paying this grant. It is anticipated that this guidance will be received on Friday 20th March.
The payment of this grant will be the Council’s top priority once the additional details are received. If you are required to provide any additional information to facilitate payment of the grant you will be able to find out what is required and provide it on the Council’s dedicated webpage at: https://www.scarborough.gov.uk/covid19supportforbusiness
Grant funding of up to £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
We are currently awaiting government guidance on the methodology for paying this grant. It is anticipated that this guidance will be received on Friday 20th March.
The payment of this grant will be the Council’s top priority once the additional details are received. If you are required to provide any additional information to facilitate payment of the grant you will be able to find out what is required and provide it on the Council’s dedicated webpage at: https://www.scarborough.gov.uk/covid19supportforbusiness
