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Streamlined business closure grants application process open

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In the face of the recent local restrictions and national lockdown, a variety of grant schemes have been put in place by Government and Sheffield City Council.

To help businesses understand what they are entitled to, Sheffield City Council has created a single application process for ratepayers and non-ratepaying businesses.

This will stop businesses having to make multiple applications to different schemes. Instead, it will allow businesses to apply once for both closure grants, and ‘top up’ grants for the time Sheffield was subject to Tier 2 and 3 restrictions if they are eligible.

All the grants that are open now are focused on sectors that have been forced to close, or who were subject to restrictions during local lockdown. This includes hospitality, entertainment, leisure and sport facilities, non-essential retail and personal care sectors, as well as community halls. It also includes accommodation, unless open by exception providing services under exemptions set out in law.

If you are a business in one of these sectors and need help to access the grants, please contact Business Sheffield on telephone 0114 224 5000 or  email businesssheffield@sheffield.gov.uk.

A summary of the grants available now is detailed below. More schemes are being developed to support other businesses affected by Covid restrictions, such as those in the local supply chain to the hospitality, accommodation, and leisure sectors. Further information on these schemes will be issued as soon as possible.

Lockdown Business Support Grant (Ratepayers Local Restrictions grant)

The national scheme for ratepayers in sectors forced to close is already live and will be adapted to allow businesses who were also closed under T3 to get a closure top up. Apply here.

Local Additional Restrictions Grant for non-rate payers

This new scheme allows non-rate paying businesses forced to close to apply for a grant, funded through the Additional Restrictions Grant scheme. Although funded locally this will mirror the grant amounts in the national scheme – giving businesses a one-off grant between £500 - £3,000 depending on their rental values. Businesses must have fixed property cost of above £1500 to apply. Apply here.  

Hospitality, accommodation, and leisure businesses affected in Tier 2 and 3

In addition to closure grants, top ups grants will be available to hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses who remained open under tier 2 and 3 restrictions but suffered from severely reduced demand. There is no minimum threshold in terms of property costs for non-ratepayers to be able to access this grant, and ratepayers and non-ratepayers will receive the same grant values.

Businesses will be assessed for this grant when they apply for the other closure grants. The following sectors are eligible for the top-up grant, providing they meet the criteria:

  • Hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs, but not takeaways
  • Accommodation such as hotels, hostels, guest houses and campsites
  • Leisure and sports facilities such as leisure centres and gyms, swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, golf courses, fitness and dance studios, climbing walls, archery, driving, and shooting ranges

Councillor Julie Dore, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said:

“In this incredibly challenging time for businesses we know it is essential that they are able to access financial support quickly and easily to help them get through this second lockdown. Grants have been a lifeline for many businesses in Sheffield during this pandemic, and I would like to encourage all businesses who think they may be eligible, both ratepayers and non-ratepayers, to apply for a grant as soon as they can. Our Business Sheffield advisors are on hand to provide guidance and support to anyone who needs help.”

Businesses wishing to stay informed with the latest updates should sign up to Sheffield City Council’s email alert service and follow Business Sheffield and Sheffield City Council’s social media channels.