First Covid business closure support grants now live

Public House

Businesses in Rotherham which have been required to close as a result of the new Covid-19 Alert Level Very High (Tier 3) restrictions can now claim financial support through Rotherham Council.

Between £1,334 and £3,000 per month in Local Restrictions Support Grant funding is available to businesses. The amount businesses receive is based on their rateable value.
 
Businesses in South Yorkshire which had to close on 24th October as a result of the new restrictions were:
  • Pubs and bars that do not serve substantial meals
  • Casinos
  • Adult gaming centres (amusement arcades)
  • Betting shops
  • Soft play centres
 
Eligibility criteria for the scheme and the amount businesses are entitled to is set nationally by Government, which is funding this support. Payments are being administered by Rotherham Council.
 
Applications should be made through Rotherham Council’s website www.rotherham.gov.uk/covid-business-grants
 
Councillor Saghir Alam, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Finance at Rotherham Council, said: “Entering the Tier 3 Very High Alert restrictions is tough on everyone, not least those businesses that have had to close and the people that work for them.
 
“I would urge those businesses to apply for this support so we can get it out to them as soon as possible. Of course, we would have liked the support to have been greater, but this is a national scheme with set criteria and funding which we are administering locally on behalf of Government.
 
“The Very High Alert Level will be reviewed every 28 days but we have been assured by the Government that this financial support will remain in place while these restrictions are.”
The Council is also working with Sheffield City Region to develop a package of support to help more local businesses, including those that have not been forced to close by the regulations but are being severely affected.
 
Councillor Denise Lelliott, Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, added; “We know the impact of the restrictions doesn’t stop at those businesses which have been forced to close, so we’re talking to Sheffield City Region and local partners to develop a further package of support measures to protect jobs and the local economy in Rotherham.”
 

Published: 1st November 2020