Business support - Coronavirus update
If you've already applied to us for a Business Support Grant, please do not re-apply.
Tier 4 and January’s National Lockdown
Local Restrictions Support Grant (Businesses who pay Business Rates)
The government has advised us that Business Support will be available for all businesses who pay Business Rates, who were obliged to close as a result of the National Lockdown, which started on 5 January.
The available support is in 3 payments;
Payment 1: Tier 4 Payment (30 December 2020 to 4 January 2021)
Prior to the National Lockdown, Warrington was placed under Tier 4 Restrictions. There is support available for this short period of time, prior to January’s National Lockdown
Payment 2: National Lockdown (started 5 January)
There are 2 awards that are available to support businesses through the National Lockdown, which started on 5 January
Payment 2A: Local Restrictions Support Grant
This award is available to all businesses who are obliged to be closed through January’s National Lockdown.
The award covers an initial 6 week period – 5 January 2021 to 15 February 2021 and is based on the Rateable Value of your business premise;
- If the Rateable Value of your business premise is less than £15,000, then the payment for the 6 week period from 5 January 2021 to 15 February 2021, is £2,001
- If the Rateable Value of your business premise is between £15,001 and £51,000, then the payment for the 6 week period from 5 January 2021 to 15 February 2021, is £3,000
- If the Rateable Value of your business premise is greater than £15,000, then the payment for the 6 week period from 5 January 2021 to 15 February 2021, is £4,500
Please note: if the National Lockdown continues to be in place, beyond 15 February then we expect further support to be made available.
Payment 2B: Closed Business Lockdown Payment
This award is also available to all businesses who are obliged to be closed through January’s National Lockdown.
This award is a one-off award to support businesses through January’s National Lockdown. The award is based on the Rateable Value of your business premise;
- If the Rateable Value of your business premise is less than £15,000, then the one-off Closed Business Lockdown Payment award is £4,000
- If the Rateable Value of your business premise is between £15,001 and £51,000, then the one-off Closed Business Lockdown Payment award is £6,000
- If the Rateable Value of your business premise is greater than £15,000, then the one-off Closed Business Lockdown Payment award is £9,000
How Do I Apply For This Award?
If you applied to us for a business grant during November’s National Lockdown, then you do NOT need to apply again. We will use the details from that application to pay the grants outlined above. Please only contact us if you need to tell us that you’ve changed your bank details since then.
If you did NOT apply to us for a business grant during November’s National Lockdown, then please email us at localrestrictionssupportgrant@warrington.gov.uk
When Will This Award Be Made?
We are aiming to make Tier 4 Payment and the Local Restrictions Support Grant (January National Lockdown) by 15 January (to be in your bank accounts early week commencing 18 January).
Additional Restrictions Grant (Businesses who do not pay Business Rates)
If your business received an Additional Restrictions Grant payment covering the National Lockdown in November, then you will shortly receive an extra Additional Restrictions Grant awards.
You will receive an award covering the National Lockdown that commenced on 5 January 5 and runs to the 15 February. If the National Lockdown continues after this date, then further payments are likely to be made.
How Do I Apply For This Award?
If you applied to us for Additional Restrictions Grant during November’s National Lockdown, then you do NOT need to apply again. We will use the details from that application to make the payments outlined above. Please only contact us if you need to tell us that you’ve changed your bank details since then.
If you did NOT apply to us for a business grant during November’s National Lockdown, then please email us at additionalrestrictionssupportgrant@warrington.gov.uk
When Will This Award Be Made?
We are aiming to make both additional payments by 18 January (to be in your bank accounts by 22 January).
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.