Hambleton District Council launched a new government led grant scheme on 2 June for Hambleton businesses.
The ‘local government discretionary grant scheme’ has been set up to help businesses who have previously been outside of the scope of the two other coronavirus business grant fund schemes.
The application window will be open for two weeks – it closes at midnight on 15 June.
Eligible Businesses
These grants are for:
- Small Businesses under the Companies Act 2006
- Micro Businesses under the Companies Act 2006
- Small and Micro Businesses with relatively high ongoing fixed property-related costs.
- Businesses must demonstrate they have suffered a significant fall in income due to the Covid -19 crisis
- Businesses must be trading on 11th March 2020
- Priority will be given to businesses
- in shared offices or other flexible workspaces
- regular market traders who do not have their own business rates assessment
- small charity properties that would meet the criteria for Small Business Rates Relief
- Bed and breakfasts that pay council tax rather than business rates.
Anyone eligible for Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme or Self –Employed Income Support Scheme may also apply for the Discretionary Grant Scheme.
Mandatory criteria:
- Your business must have been trading on 11 March 2020
- You must not be able to access the Small Business Rates Grant; Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant; The Fisheries Response Fund; Domestic Seafood Supply Scheme (DSSS); The Zoos Support Fund and The Dairy Hardship Fund.
Companies that are in administration, are insolvent or where a striking-off notice has been made are not eligible for funding under this scheme.
Grants available in the enhanced scheme
The allocation of funding will be at the discretion of the Hambleton District Council officers administering the scheme. Grants between £2,000 and up to £10,000 will be awarded with a maximum £25,000 in exceptional circumstances.
Preparing your application
To be eligible for the discretionary grant businesses must be able to provide evidence to demonstrate that they have seen a significant drop of income due to the COVID – 19 crisis and ongoing fixed property related costs. This evidence will be required as part of the application process.
Eligible businesses should complete the on-line application form. It will ask you for details of your business, contact details for correspondence and bank account details.
It is also important that you have your business rates reference number. This can be found on the demand notice posted out at the beginning of March 2020. If you are unable to find your number you can contact the Customer Services Team at Hambleton Council who will assist.
Before you complete the application please have the following information available:
- Annual turnover and/or Balance sheet total
- Number of employees
- Premises information including landlords name and correspondence address, tenancy agreement, rateable value, rent (as applicable)
- If you have a mortgage, your annual mortgage payment and annual mortgage statement
- Company Number (if applicable)
- VAT Registration (if applicable)
- Company legal status
- Information on how your business has lost income due to COVID 19 to include details on whether you have been able to offer a limited service. Sales figures for April and May 2019 plus March April and May 2020
- Ongoing fixed property costs, for the months of March, April and May 2020 showing proof of your on-going fixed property costs, including your business premises rent, service charges, any mortgage payments, security and so on
- Bank statements for March to May 2019 and March to May 2020
- Bank details
- Business Rates Demand Notice (if applicable)
- Market traders must also provide their street market licence, pitch fees and storage costs
- B&B’s will need details of their web presence (if applicable)
- Charities will need their charity number and Business Rates Account Number
Please provide as many documents as possible to help application assessment.
For further information, visit Hambleton District Council’s website.