Restart Grants Scheme promises £5 billion to small businesses

A new Restart Grants scheme has launched (1st April 2021) and is available through all 314 local authorities across England. The £5 billion government funding will be delivered to SMEs via local authorities as soon as possible.

The Restart Grants scheme is the latest scheme introduced since March 2020. They have been created to provide direct funding for businesses that have been required to close during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The total funding provided to councils in England to give directly to businesses is now more than £25 billion. This is part of an unprecedented support package delivered by the government of over £352 billion.

How much funding is available through the Restart Grants scheme?

Those in the non-essential retail sector will be eligible for one-off grants of up to £6,000.

Businesses in the following sectors are eligible for one-off grants of up to £18,000:

  • Hospitality
  • Accommodation
  • Leisure
  • Personal care
  • Gyms.

The Restart Grants scheme is coupled with the £425 million top-up funding for the Additional Restrictions Grant Scheme. Councils have been distributing the funding to businesses that are in need of additional support. The funding could be given to businesses that don’t necessarily pay business rates like:

  • B&Bs
  • Caterers
  • Freelancers
  • Tour operators
  • Wedding service providers.

What businesses are eligible?

Your business may be eligible for the Restart Grants scheme if it’s:

  • Based in England
  • Rate-paying
  • In the non-essential retail, hospitality, accommodation, personal care or gym sectors
  • Trading on 1st April 2021.

Small Business Minister Paul Scully said:

Government grants have been critical in relieving cash flow pressures and enabling businesses to plan ahead, and I am urging councils to deliver these vital funds to where they are needed as soon as possible.

“We have made extraordinary efforts to stand by small business owners. Now we need to press on and continue getting money to them in good time to ensure that our communities are ready to build back better following the pandemic.”

Tourism Minister Nigel Huddleston said:

Small businesses are the backbone of our tourism sector and a major part of what makes the UK a world-class destination. These vital funds will make a huge difference to businesses in our brilliant hospitality, accommodation and leisure sectors as we build back better from the pandemic.

“I urge councils to work at pace to distribute these grants and look forward to seeing their impact in communities across the country.”

Mike Cherry, National Chair at the Federation of Small Businesses, said:

During this crisis, billions of pounds worth of grants have been made available to businesses that desperately need it, yet, frustratingly, so much of it is still yet to be allocated.

“It’s good that the government is making it clear to local authorities that ARG grants are genuinely discretionary, and that the priority is to get this support delivered. Whether that’s to home-based businesses, direct or indirect suppliers to retail, leisure and hospitality, tourism, or others that need support, lots of small firms are in need and it’s vital that this money gets to them.

“Local authorities urgently need to get these grants distributed, to support businesses and jobs in their local area.”

Need help with writing your grant application?

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