The ‘Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed)’ has been created by central government to help businesses that have been required to close due to the ‘Tier 3 COVID Alert Level: Very high’ local lockdown restrictions.
To qualify for this grant, a business must be in the Fylde Council area and have been:
- Open as usual before the restrictions
- Providing services in-person to customers from the premises before the restrictions
- Required to close due to local lockdown restrictions imposed by government from October 2020
- Paying business rates for the premises as at 14 October 2020
Businesses required to close under Lancashire’s ‘Tier 3 COVID Alert Level: Very high’ local restrictions are:
- Pubs, bars, private members clubs, and social clubs (unless remaining open by operating as a restaurant or takeaway)
- Adult gaming centres
- Bingo Halls
- Casinos
- Bookmakers and betting shops
- Children’s soft play areas
- Car boot sales
The amount of the grant awarded depends on the rateable value of the premises of an eligible business. A support grant will be provided for every two weeks that an eligible business is required to remain closed.
Eligible businesses can apply by visiting our website: www.fylde.gov.uk/local-restrictions-support-grant/
Many other businesses who were not lawfully forced to close by the Tier 3 restrictions suffered a decrease in demand, particularly in the hospitality sector, owing to the ban against mixing households. In the last few days the Government has confirmed that the same support offered to Tier 2 areas for these businesses will be offered to Tier 3 also, which for Fylde will mean support will be backdated to 22 September. This will be called the ‘Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open)’ scheme. There is also an extension to the original furlough scheme and payments to the self-employed which is to be welcomed.
As well as the statutory schemes which will come on stream, additional business support was negotiated at £30m for Lancashire and discussions with government are ongoing on the governance and distribution arrangements. Our shared goal with government is to have a scheme that ensures maximum local flexibility to target these finite resources where they are needed most.
Leader of Fylde Council Councillor Karen Buckley said: “This is a torrid time for our local businesses who are being forced to close their doors yet again. The longer these restrictions are in place the harder it is for our high street to bounce back and that means economic hardship and more job losses in Fylde. We all understand the need to protect lives, and not just from the Covid-19 virus. Access to NHS treatments, primary care and mental health services are vitally important too.
“There are some small signs of infection rate diminishing in Lancashire because of the measures already in place but it will be a while before we see that translate into a fall in admissions to hospital or deaths, which is what we all want to see. In the meantime, I hope you will join me in going ‘all out local’ to enjoy takeaways, click and collect, and ordering online from our independent stores. That’s where I will be doing my Christmas shopping and I hope to complete it after 2 December when our local retailers open once again.”
As soon as more information is available regarding additional funding schemes, including support for businesses mandated to close by national restrictions which come into force on 5 November until 2 December, an announcement will be made through our usual channels.
Please visit www.fylde.gov.uk/covid-19-support-for-businesses/ for the latest announcements regarding grants.
Additional Information on the scheme
Rateable value and support amount
| Rateable value of premises | Grant payment per 2 weeks of closure | Grant payment per 4 weeks of closure |
| £15,000 or under | £667 | £1334 |
| £15,001-£50,999 | £1000 | £2000 |
| £51,000 or over | £1500 | £3000 |
Click here for more information, eligibility details and guidance from GOV.uk
