Further COVID-19 financial support for businesses announced

The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) has been provided to Hartlepool Borough Council to enable it to give financial support to local businesses.

It is in addition to two other schemes:

·        The Local Restrictions Support Grants (Closed) scheme, for businesses required to close, or substantially close, during the period of national restrictions or under Local Covid-19 Alert level ‘Very High’ (Tier 3) restrictions.

·        The Local Restrictions Support Grants (Open) for hospitality, accommodation and leisure businesses that were open but severely impacted by Local Covid-19 Alert Level ‘High’ (LCAL 2) restrictions. This scheme is not operating during the current period of national restrictions.

In the first instance, the Council is proposing to provide ARG support from 5 November covering three distinct strands:

Strand 1 - Support for non-rateable in-person businesses.

This covers businesses operating in-person services which have been required to close or substantially close under the current national restrictions, but which have not previously received support through the Local Restrictions Support Grants (Closed) initiative. Eligible businesses will be paid £934 per 28-day period.

Strand 2 - Support for businesses which supply the retail, hospitality, accommodation and leisure sectors.

Businesses will be required to certify that a significant element of their business is to supply these sectors and has, therefore, been detrimentally impacted by their closure.

Payment will be:

·      £934 per 28-day period (rateable of £15,000 or below)

·      £1,400 per 28-day period (rateable value of over £15,000 but less than £51,000).

·      £2,100 per 28-day period (rateable value of £51,000 and above).

Companies can find out more information about ARG support and, if they are eligible, apply at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/business-grants-covid

Strand 3 - Support for larger supply chain businesses

Eligible businesses should ordinarily have more than 100 employees. Those qualifying for support will receive a grant capped at £25,000 for a two-month period, initially covering November and December.

Businesses applying under this scheme must provide the following information:

·        Details of the number of jobs employed pre-furlough.

·        A forecast P&L statement for the year; and

·        A business plan to demonstrate recovery is viable and achievable.

If you consider your business to be eligible for support please email business.support@hartlepool.gov.uk