A new grant has been launched for Eden businesses that have been severely affected by the current national lockdown, implemented to slow the spread of coronavirus and protect the NHS.
A new round of the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) was launched this week to help businesses which have been severely impacted from the January lockdown, regardless of whether they have been legally required to close or not.
The ARG is a discretionary scheme, open to businesses that aren’t eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) grant.
Eden Council previously opened a round of ARG funding during the last national lockdown in November 2020.
All businesses that were previously awarded a grant through the ARG scheme will be contacted by email during the first week of February to confirm if their situation remains the same. If so, the council will pay these businesses again automatically.
The council will also open up the scheme to new applicants.
Businesses can apply online at www.eden.gov.uk.
The funding for the ARG scheme has been provided by the Government to help mitigate the severe losses experienced by some businesses due to COVID restrictions, and doesn’t need to be paid back.
There are currently three different grant schemes to cover the January lockdown period, as follows:
- Businesses that are business rated (even if they receive a zero bill due to rates relief) and were legally required to close in January will be paid the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed), and the Closed Business Lockdown Grant. These firms will have been contacted by Eden District Council by email within the last two weeks. If a business is eligible for either of these grants, they will be ineligible for the new ARG scheme.
- Businesses not eligible for the above grant schemes, but who have nonetheless been severely affected by the January lockdown, may be eligible for the ARG scheme.
Previous applicants will be contacted by Eden District Council shortly.
New applicants may apply through the council’s website.
For more information on the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) and all other business grants available to Eden firms, visit www.eden.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/support-for-businesses
