On behalf of Warrington, our Mayor Cllr Maureen Creaghan, sends sincere condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family, following the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip. Read the Mayor's full statement.
Business support - Coronavirus update
Applications for business grants for the national lockdown period - 5 January to 31 March - have now closed.
The government has introduced Restart Grants to support the roadmap out of lockdown. Please see below for further details.
If you applied for a business grant – either Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) or Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) - for the period 5 November 2020 to 31 March 2021 and your application was submitted before 31 March, then we will work through your application and you will receive a response as quickly as possible.
Currently:
- If you have applied for an Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) before 12 March 2021 then we have processed your application and you should receive an email informing you of the outcome. Applications received since that date, are still being worked through
- If you have applied for Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) before 23 March 2021 then we have processed your application and you should have received an email informing you of the outcome. Applications received since that date, are still being worked through
April 2021 - Roadmap out of Lockdown
Restart Grants
The government has announced that the majority of businesses who were previously eligible to receive Local Restrictions Support Grant will receive a Restart Grant in April 2021.
The Restart Grant replaces Local Restrictions Support Grant and is a one-off payment. The award amount varies on two factors – the sector a business trades within and the Rateable Value of the business premise.
If your business trades in the non-essential retail sector, then the Restart Award your business is eligible to receive is based on the Rateable Value of your premise(s):
- If the Rateable Value of your premise(s) is less than £15,000, the Restart Grant you are eligible to receive is £2,667
- If the Rateable Value of your premise(s) is between £15,001 and £50,999, the Restart Grant you are eligible to receive is £4,000
- If the Rateable Value of your premise(s) is greater than £51,000, the Restart Grant you are eligible to receive is £6,000
If your business trades in the hospitality, entertainment, accommodation, leisure or personal care sectors, then the Restart Award your business is eligible to receive is based on the Rateable Value of your premise(s):
- If the Rateable Value of your premise(s) is less than £15,000, the Restart Grant you are eligible to receive is £8,000
- If the Rateable Value of your premise(s) is between £15,001 and £50,999, the Restart Grant you are eligible to receive is £12,000
- If the Rateable Value of your premise(s) is greater than £51,000, the Restart Grant you are eligible to receive is £18,000
When will this award be paid?
If you have already applied to us previously for a Local Restrictions Support Grant covering National Lockdowns from November 2020 to March 31 2021, then you do NOT need to apply again. We will contact you during the week after Easter (week commencing April 6) to advise how you can receive this grant.
If you have NOT applied to us previously for a Local Restrictions Support Grant covering National Lockdowns from November 2020 to March 31 2021, then please apply below.
Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) - Tax Year 2021-22
The government has advised that we are likely to receive an ARG allocation for tax year 2021-22. The precise details of the amount that we will be able to pay to eligible businesses, has not yet been confirmed.
We anticipate that businesses who received an ARG award covering National Lockdowns from November 2020 to March 31 2021, will receive a further ARG award for the Tax Year 2021-22. We anticipate that the payment will be made before the end of May 2021.
If you have already applied to us previously for Additional Restrictions Grant covering National Lockdowns from November 2020 to March 31 2021, then you will NOT need to apply again. We will contact you during April to advise how you can receive this grant.
If you have NOT applied to us previously for Additional Restrictions Grant covering National Lockdowns from November 2020 to March 31 2021, then then please apply below.
Business Rates Relief – Sectors other than Retail, Hospitality and Leisure
The government has announced a £1.5 billion Business Rates Relief scheme for business ratepayers affected by coronavirus, who have been unable to benefit from the existing £16 billion business rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses.
The government will provide a £1.5 billion pot across the country that will be distributed according to which sectors have suffered most economically, rather than on the basis of falls in property values, ensuring the support is provided to businesses in England in the fastest and fairest way possible.
Once details as to how businesses may apply to us for this scheme, have been confirmed, this page will be updated.
Advice and support
Self-employed and recently started businesses
We aim to provide support to the self-employed sector and businesses who have recently commenced trading. If you fall into either of these categories, please email Warrington&Co where our dedicated Business Support team will provide advice and further guidance.
Advice for employers and business owners
We're working with our partners to ensure that local businesses are given the support and advice they need at this time. For all the latest employer and business information and guidance, please visit GOV.UK.
Supporting your employees
People who follow advice to stay at home, and who cannot work as a result, are eligible for statutory sick pay (SSP), even if they're not ill themselves. As an employer, you're expected to use your discretion and respect the medical need to self-isolate in making decisions about sick pay.
You can support staff who are not eligible to receive sick pay by letting them know that they can claim Universal Credit and or contributory Employment and Support Allowance.
For more information about coronavirus, sick pay and benefits, please visit the Universal Credit website.
Statutory sick pay refunds
For businesses with fewer than 250 employees, the cost of providing 14 days of statutory sick pay per employee will be refunded in full by the government. In doing so, the government will provide two million businesses with up to £2billion to cover the costs of large-scale sick leave.
Businesses trading internationally
Advice and support is available for UK businesses that export or deliver goods and services abroad.
This includes:
- Department for International Trade (DIT) support for UK business trading internationally
- Financial support for business trading internationally
British businesses that may face disruption due to the spread of coronavirus can contact DIT's dedicated business support team.
Paying tax
A new HMRC helpline has been launched to help businesses concerned about paying their tax due to COVID-19.
If you run a business or are self-employed and have tax concerns, you can call 0800 0159 559 for help and advice.
Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub
As part of Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the hub offers a range of information, advice and updates on its website for local and regional businesses.