COVID-19: Advice for businesses

Following the Prime Minister's announcement on January 4th, England is subject to new national lockdown guidelines. Full information about the businesses that must close and that can remain open (albeit under certain measures) can be found on the Government's website. 

Coronavirus Business Grants

There are a number of grants available to support businesses that have had to close, or have been significantly impacted, by Coronavirus restrictions. 

Update 24/02/21

The government published its COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021 roadmap earlier this week. Following publication of this document, the Council received confirmation that it should pay businesses currently in receipt of Local Restrictions Support Grant a further grant covering the 44-day period from 16 February 2021 - 31 March 2021. We are currently awaiting receipt of funds from Government and we expect to start paying these grants next week. The payment is based on the same daily rate as that was used previously. Businesses do not need to re-apply.  Further details can be found below. The Council has decided to follow the same approach for the Supplementary Winter Lockdown Grant and a top-up payment of £1,257 will be paid out to all businesses in respect of the period 16 February 2021 - 31 March 2021.

Schemes include:

• Closed Businesses Lockdown Payment - in addition to the Local Restrictions Support Grant, businesses required to close due to the current national lockdown are entitled to a one-off top-up grant
• Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG)  
  • Tier 2 Restrictions between 2 December and 25 December 2020 - hospitality, accommodation and leisure businesses that suffered a reduction in trade due to the Tier 2 restrictions are eligible for the LRSG (Open) grant. The LRSG (Closed) grant is available to businesses in these sectors which are required to remain closed, i.e. due to the requirement to only serve alcohol alongside a substantial meal
  • Tier 4 Restrictions and National Lockdown from 26 December onwards - all businesses registered for business rates which were required by law to close from when Fenland entered Tier 4 restrictions are entitled to receive a grant
  • LRSG (November 2020 lockdown) - for businesses that had to close between 5 November and 2 December 2020 
• Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) - for businesses who have been affected following the government's announcement on 4^th January 2021 that there would be another national lockdown. These funds will be paid to eligible businesses in the form of a Supplementary Winter Lockdown Grant.
• £1,000 grant for 'wet-led' pubs - applications for this scheme are now open and eligible businesses must apply before 31 January 2021

View full information about these schemes and how to apply.

Please keep checking our website for the most up to date information about grant schemes.  

Government guidance: help and support available

Visit the Government's website for the latest business information. It explains:

• what financial support is available for your business
• how you can apply for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme if you're self-employed or a sole trader
• how to work safely during Coronavirus
• keeping records of staff, customers and visitors for NHS Test and Trace
• how to make your workplace COVID-19 secure and clean it safely

Should an outbreak occur at a business or organisation that you are responsible for, early outbreak management guidance is available which will help you to quickly identify, report and respond to any potential COVID-19 outbreak.