Businesses and community groups which have had to close or have been the most severely affected by COVID-19 restrictions can now apply for a new grant.
Calderdale Council has launched the Additional Restriction Grant today (Wednesday 9 December), worth around £4 million in total.
Grants are available as follows:
- Between £750 and £3000 for businesses and community organisations which have been legally required to close, but are not in the business rates system and are in the non-essential retail, leisure, personal care, sports facilities or hospitality sector.
- Between £750 and £3000 for businesses and community groups which supply the hospitality and leisure sectors who have lost at least 25% of their income compared to last year, or if they are unable to supply other businesses which have closed due to local restrictions. This also includes nurseries and childcare facilities.
- Between £500 and £1000 for self-employed businesses which have been unable to access other government support.
Grants will be based on eligibility criteria being met, information such as bank statements being provided by applicants, and factors including the organisation’s running costs. For more information about eligibility and requirements, and to apply, visit the Additional Restrictions Grant page on the Council’s website, which can be accessed from www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/coronavirus/businesses
There is still time to apply for the previous grants which the Council launched in November for businesses that have closed or been badly affected by COVID-19 restrictions (the Local Restriction Support Grant (Closed) and the Local Restriction Support Grant (Open)). These grants have different criteria from the Additional Restriction Grant – details and an application form can be found on the Local Restriction Support Grant page on the Council’s website, which can be accessed from www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/coronavirus/businesses
The Council has received over 1,600 applications for the Local Restriction Support Grants so far, and has paid over £400,000 to local businesses. This is in addition to the £62 million previously paid out to 5,500 businesses across Calderdale during the pandemic.
Teams continue to work hard to make all remaining payments to businesses as quickly as possible and have contacted all applicants to update them.
Applications are also still open for the two community sector grants for £10,000 – £25,000, which the Council launched in November. Voluntary organisations can apply by 12 noon on Monday 21 December by visiting www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/residents/community-and-living/grants/grants-voluntary-organisations
Cllr Jane Scullion, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Strategy, said:
“We are pleased to be able to offer further support to a wider range of businesses and community groups. We know that many organisations are relying on these grants to help them survive their toughest year yet.
“Our teams are working flat out to process over 1,600 grant applications, as well as providing a range of other support and advice to local organisations. We thank applicants for their patience and assure them that they will receive their money as soon as possible.”