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If your business was required to close during national lockdown, you might be eligible for either the Local Restriction Grant or the Additional Restriction Grant. Applications for both grants close today, 4 December at 12pm.
Local Restriction Grant Scheme
The Local Restriction Grant is only available to businesses that have been required to close from 5 November 2020 and were registered with business rates on or before 00.01 on the 5 November 2020. Further information on the eligibility criteria can be found here. If you think your business is eligible please apply here.
Additional Restriction Grant
The Additional Restriction Grant (ARG) is available to businesses that have been required to close from 5 November 2020 which have fixed property costs or work from home but which were not required to be registered with business rates. The ARG will close 12pm Friday 5 December and will not reopen. Further information on the eligibility criteria can be found here. If you think your business is eligible please apply here.
Additional Restriction Grant – Severe Impact
We are launching an expression of interest later today for the ARG (SI). The Council is aware that many businesses, have for one reason or another not been eligible for any Covid-19 Support funding to date, while others have received multiple grants or other Government support. The amount of ARG funding available to The Council is not sufficient to close these gaps or help every business adversely affected by the second lockdown, however Government Guidance permits the Council to exercise discretion in directing support to where it can achieve the most good for The District.
The purpose of this EOI phase is to ensure that NKDC captures as much information as possible about how your business has been impacted and gives you the opportunity to tell us what you will use the grant for and how it will make a difference to your business in the future. ARG funds cannot be used in support of wages or salaries.
Local Restriction Support Grant – Closed
This grant is available to support businesses that have had to close due to the Tier restrictions, this grant will be paid automatically to businesses who are eligible on Thursday 10 December.
Local restriction support grant – Open
This grant is available to support businesses that have been impacted due to the Tier restrictions, applications for this will be open from Monday 7 December 2020.
The shop local directory is a one stop shop for those looking to buy products locally, listing high street shops, retailers and other businesses. It’s free to be listed – if you are a trader, just email ecodev@n-kesteven.gov.uk with your business details to be added.
Each listing contains space for a shopfront or similar image, a Google map showing the pinned business location, opening hours, website and phone number, for purchases or enquiries online and over the phone.
As part of the Chancellor’s plan for jobs there are a range of skills programmes, some of which offer financial incentives that are available for employers who are considering hiring employees or offering work experience. If your business is looking to potentially:
- Develop the talent pool in your business or develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce
- Build a pipeline of talent for junior positions
- Test out if someone is right for permanent job or apprenticeship with you
- Carry out a skill needs analysis for your business to understand gaps and find solutions
- Find a flexible programme that can be tailored to meet your recruitment needs
- Find more flexible ways to offer a work placement
Then one of these programmes might be right for your business.
These incentives can help you to invest in your business, help people upskill and improve their chances of securing a good job in a highly competitive labour market giving your business an edge to support your overall goals.
To learn more about the variety of offers available and how to apply please visit GOV.UK.
From 2 December planning rules limiting opening hours have been eased to allow shops to be open for longer. Retailers will be able to extend their daily opening hours from Monday to Saturday in the run up to Christmas and through January.
If you are looking for a low-cost, low-risk boost to your business, a graduate internship could be the ideal solution. Graduate internships can help your business grow and develop in a number of ways, including providing business support, assisting with income generation, delivering a marketing strategy or developing your website.
Whether you have a specific project to complete or simply need additional resource in key areas of your business, a graduate intern could be the answer.
Lincoln University invite industry professionals, micro, small and large companies to join them for a live webinar, that will provide an overview of the internship funding initiatives. To book a place or raise any questions, please contact Lesley O’Donnell, lodonnell@lincoln.ac.uk
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