Alok Sharma announced the Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund on 4 May, giving further details to Local Authorities on 14 May.
Now guidance has been issued to businesses on how to apply for these grants. Eligible small and microbusinesses with fixed property costs that are not eligible for the Small Business Grant Fund or Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund should check their Local Authority website to find out how to apply. Each council will run their own application process. Derby City Council – our Local Authority – is inviting applications now. The scheme will be open between the 29 May and 19 June and businesses will have 21 days to apply.
To recap on our earlier blog, your business is potentially eligible if it:
- is based in England
- has fewer than 50 employees
- has fixed building costs such as rent
- was trading on 11 March 2020
- has been adversely impacted by the coronavirus
Local Authorities have discretion about how to prioritise funding of £25,000, £10,000 or any amount under £10,000 but they have been asked to prioritise:
- small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces, such as units in industrial parks or incubators
- regular market traders
- bed and breakfasts paying council tax instead of business rates
- charity properties getting charitable business rates relief, which are not eligible for small business rates relief or rural rate relief
Don’t delay. Check your Local Authority website for details of their Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund application process.
Update 30 June : The original window for applications has closed, but Derby City Council have opened up a second wave of applications. Closing date 13 July.