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Business Support Updates & Guidance

Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG)

The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) will open for applications at:
12 noon on Friday 23 April 2021.

It is important that you read the following information carefully as there are changes to the application process from the previous round.

• The Additional Restrictions Grant is a discretionary scheme, to support businesses not eligible for the mandatory Restart Grant scheme, but within the same non-essential retail, hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym and sports business sectors. Businesses that can demonstrate that they are in the immediate supply chain of these sectors and that their business has been adversely affected by restrictions, may also be considered.
• Due to the limited funding of £743,530 available under this scheme the Council will assess applications on a first-come-first-served basis.
• This is a new grant application window, businesses that have successfully applied for previous ARG rounds will need to submit a new application.
• Restart Grant (businesses that are liable party for business rates within the eligible sectors) recipients are not eligible to apply for ARG.

Please review the Council's Covid Restart & Additional Restriction Grants Support Policy to assess your eligibility based on your business circumstance.

Timescales, eligibility and changes since the last ARG grants rounds

The ARG application form will go live on Councils website from 12 noon on Friday 23rd April. There are also application forms on the website for the Restart Grant and the Local Restrictions Support Grant. Please ensure that you complete the form for the ARG to avoid delays to your application being registered and reviewed.

• Previous ARG recipients will need to submit a new application. No automated payments will be made to previously successful ARG applicants.
• Businesses that have received or are eligible for the Restart Grant are not eligible to apply for the ARG.
• Like previous rounds of ARG, businesses that employ 50 employees or more are not eligible under the grant eligibility. This is based on total employee numbers in the company and not by individual site.
• Charities are not eligible under the Councils policy.
• Government guidance means that additional information is required from businesses making an application. Please review your application and make sure you provide all the information that is relevant to your business circumstances. Incomplete applications will be rejected and applicants will be required to reapply if they wish to be considered for a grant payment. The grants team do not have the capacity to contact individual applicants to request missing information as this will delay the process for all applicants.

Please read the next section for details of the required information.

ARG - Required Information 

The following overview shows the information businesses will need to provide.  There is a check-list at the end of the application (pictured to the right) to ensure you have included all the required information.   Information required Self-employed, sole traders are required to provide their home address. Those in a partnership will need to provide the names and addresses of all partners. A unique identifier number for the business e.g. company registration number, unique tax reference number, partnership number, VAT registration number. National Insurance Number Date business established/incorporation date If a business leases premises or has a commercial mortgage, the annual charge Businesses liable for business rates need their business rates number and  rateable value The total value of all Covid-19 business grants the business has received – including grants paid by other Council’s. The Council will not be able to provide this information so businesses will need to review bank statements to obtain. Documentation required to support your application All applicants: Bank statement showing the account holder name, address, sort code and account number. If online banking is used screen prints can be provided showing this information. A copy of your latest self-assessment tax return form or accounts. If you haven’t been self-employed long enough to submit a self-assessment an HMRC document containing your unique tax reference number. Dependent on business circumstances: If you have premises but are not the liable party for business rates a copy of your lease, license or mortgage agreement (domestic mortgages not included in eligibility) and a recent bank statement (no more than 3-months old) to show the rent or mortgage payment. If you do not have business premises in Bassetlaw that you are the liable party for, a utility bill to show you live in Bassetlaw. If applicable, proof of your current license e.g. taxi driver We will aim to assess your application and reach a decision within 10-working days. Successful applicants will receive the grant payment within 5-working days of notification that they have been successful. Please do not contact the Council for an update on your application. This will only slow down the grants administration team in assessing applications and delay the distribution of grant payments to businesses. We understand the urgency and want to get grants out to businesses as quickly as possible.

Test and Trace: Update

Guidance on NHS Test and Trace in the workplace updated with rules for businesses reopening, and for entering a venue.

More Information

D2N2 Growth Hub Events

D2N2 have complied a list of the latest free webinars and workshops providing training and advice and giving guidance to help businesses grow.

More Information

Evolve Digital Project

Are you a small family
business interested in
adopting digital technology
to grow your business? NBV Enterprise Solutions have been selected by (BEIS) and Innovate UK to deliver a
fully-funded programme for small family businesses based in the East Midlands.

More Information

Twice Weekly Rapid Testing

Twice weekly rapid testing for people without symptoms is now available to everyone in Bassetlaw.

Alongside vaccine rollout, regular testing is at the heart of plans to reopen society and the economy, helping to suppress and control the spread of variants. Everyone in England will be able to access free, regular, rapid coronavirus testing from 9 April, the government has announced. In a significant step forward, which paves the way for businesses and society reopening, anyone will be able to access free, rapid lateral flow tests (LFDs) for themselves and their families to use twice a week, in line with clinical guidance.

Community Testing sites for people without symptoms in Bassetlaw are at the Canch Car Park, Priorswell Road, Worksop and at Retford Town Hall. You can also collect test kits from these sites and participating pharmacies. For more information visit the Community Testing page on our website. 

You can also use the NHS postcode checker to find a test or collection site near you.  

Recovery Loan Scheme Launches

A new government-backed loan scheme was launched on Tuesday 6 April by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to provide additional finance to those businesses that need it.

Loans will include 80% government guarantee and interest rate cap.

The Recovery Loan Scheme can be used as an additional loan on top of support received from the emergency schemes – such as the Bounce Back Loan Scheme and Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme – put into place last year.

Loans vary in size from £25,000, up to a maximum of £10 million. Invoice and asset finance is available from £1,000.

Recovery Loan Scheme

HMRC to contact SEISS claimants

HMRC has confirmed that it will contact those who are eligible for the fourth grant under the Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) to let them know when they can apply for the grant.

The online service to claim the fourth grant will be available from late April 2021 and all claims must be made on or before 1 June 2021.

Read more about the grant at: 

SEISS Information