Local Restriction Support Grant (LRSG) (open) is now open

This grant is aimed at businesses in the hospitality, hotel and leisure sector that are permitted to remain open and have not been forced to close under Local Lockdown Tier 3 restrictions.

• Eligible businesses will be open and trading but impacted by social distancing and other Tier 3 restrictions.
• Eligible Businesses must pay business rates or have significant property costs associated with their business.
• Supply chain businesses serving the hospitality and leisure sector that are rateable or have significant business property costs can also apply.

North Kesteven District Council has discretion as to how to award grant funding to individual business, but it is to support those affected by the Tier 3 restrictions. Grants will be paid every 14 days of being in Tier 3 (award amounts will be £467, £700 & £1,050 depending on the rateable value of your business property) The LRSG (open) policy can be found here. 

To apply for the LRSG (open) please see here.

Further support for businesses

Additional Restriction Grant (ARG)– Severe Impact

The ARG Severe Impact is available to support businesses that have remained open during the second national lockdown (04/11/20 – 02/12/20) but suffered a severe impact due to Covid 19 restrictions.

North Kesteven District Council has opened an ‘Expression of interest’ phase (EOI) before launching its ARG Severe Impact Grant. Please submit an expression of interest form if you believe that your business has been impacted.

Local Restriction Support Grant – Closed

This grant is available to support businesses that have had to close due to the Tier restrictions. Businesses that are required to close due to the tier restrictions are eligible for this grant and will be paid for every 14 days of being in Tier 3. Grant award amounts are based on half the national lockdown grant (£667, £1,000 & £1,500 depending on the rateable value of your business property)

We are looking to do auto payments from the list of business that applied for the LRSG (Closed) Addendum that have remained closed and still on the ratings list. The first payment will be made on the 10 December 2020. The LRSG (closed) policy can be found here. If you believe that you are eligible for this grant but did not apply to the LRSG (closed) Addendum, please email grants@n-kesteven.gov.uk with your business name, rates number and premises address.

Christmas Support Payment for wet-led pubs

The Christmas Support Payment grant provides funding for local authorities subject to Tier 2 or Tier 3 restrictions in December 2020 to pay one-off grants of £1,000 to wet-led pubs. These are pubs that predominantly serve alcohol rather than provide food and have been severely impacted over the festive season due to temporary local restrictions. NKDC has received the guidance for the Christmas Support Payment, and we are currently working on the policy, details will be available on our website in due course.

Introducing our shop local directory

The shop local directory is a one stop shop for those looking to buy products locally, listing high street shops and retailers. 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.

Claim for the third grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

The online service for claiming the third grant is now available. Guidance has also been updated to provide clarity on verifying your eligibility with HMRC after having a new child. 

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: step by step guide for employers:

The step-by-step guide has been updated to reflect recent changes to the scheme, and a new key date's guide has also been published. There are now monthly deadlines for claims. This means that you may need to submit earlier than you have in previous months. Use this list of dates to help you submit your claim before it’s too late. Check the step by step guide.  

Other Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme updates:  

• Check the updated information on how to give further detail about if your fixed-rate employee’s first pay period ends after 30 October 2020 and if your variable-rate employee’s first wages are payable after they begin furlough here.  
• Guidance on holiday pay has been updated with further clarity on when employees can be furloughed. 
• Find new examples to help you calculate your employees’ wages.  

Free support for North Kesteven businesses

NKDC offers the service of a Business Support Adviser, Phil Means. Phil can assist businesses and provide bespoke advice and support.

If you are in business and feel you could benefit from free business advice please contact him. Either call Phil on 07920 472671 or email phil_means@n-kesteven.gov.uk

EU Transition

The UK has left the EU, and the Brexit transition period comes to an end in just over 2 weeks' time.

Take action now to get ready for new rules from January 2021. All information on the UK Transition can be found at https://www.gov.uk/transition

Working safely during coronavirus guidance

Working safely during coronavirus guidance for shops and branches: has been updated with information on items that have been returned, donated, or brought in for repair.  

Business evictions ban extended until March

Business owners affected by the pandemic will be protected from eviction until the end of March 2021.

• Review of commercial landlord and tenant legislation to be launched
• Builds on the extra £280 billion Government support for businesses during the pandemic

Further details here.

Are you on social media?

If so, join our Business NK group here or follow us on twitter. We share information, support and advice on each platform.

Redundancy toolkit

DIT has created new toolkit to support conversations and meetings with businesses. The toolkit can be found here.

Webinars for the weeks ahead

16/12/2020 10:00-13:00 Greater Lincolnshire Online Jobs and Careers Fair 

17/12/2020 10:30-11:30 Transition Period Webinar for UK Businesses

17/12/2020 14:00-15:30 Showcase Your Business - Networking With Constructive Feedback! 3/3