Financial support for businesses

Local Restriction Support Grant (LRSG) (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. North Kesteven District Council has discretion as to how to award grant funding to individual businesses, but it is to support those affected by the Tier 3 restrictions. Grants will be paid every 14 days of being in Tier 3. The LRSG (open) policy can be found here.  To apply for the LRSG (open) please see here.

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 (LRSG) – 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.  Auto payments have been made from the list of businesses that applied for the LRSG (closed) Addendum that have remained closed and are on the ratings list. 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.

Following yesterday’s announcement that Lincolnshire will remain in Tier 3, the next tranche of payments for the LRSG (closed) will be made on the 23 December. Council Leader Councillor Richard Wright has made a statement on the Tier 3 announcement. You can read it here.

Christmas Support Grant (CSG) -  Payment for wet-led pubs

Earlier this week, North Kesteven District Council has contacted pubs that previously applied to the LRSG (closed) Addendum in regards to the Christmas Support Payment for wet-led pubs. If you have not been contacted and believe you are eligible, please contact grants@n-kesteven.gov.uk with the pub name and business rates number. To be eligible for this grant, pubs must derive less than 50% of their income from the sale of food. Pubs must also meet all other conditions set out in the Government guidance for this scheme, which can be found here.

Please note the Grants Team will be on leave over the Christmas period from the 23 December until the 4 January.

UK's furlough scheme to be extended

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced yesterday (17 December) that the UK's furlough scheme will be extended for an extra month until the end of April 2021. Under the furlough scheme, employees placed on leave receive 80% of their pay, up to a maximum of £2,500 a month.  

Businesses will also be given until the end of March 2021 to access the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme. These had been due to close at the end of January. This announcement comes ahead of the Budget, which the Chancellor has confirmed will take place on 3 March 2021.  Further information can be found here. 

EU Transition support

To ensure businesses are fully prepared for the outcome of the EU Transition the Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub have outlined some useful resources. The first port of call should be the government website  which includes a simple checklist for businesses to determine their own needs. Additionally there is a wealth of tools and resources that can be accessed on the Business Lincolnshire website. If businesses require instant advice and support, our local EU Exit hotline can be contacted on 01522 846946, this is provided by Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce.    

EU Transition support webinars

Stay up to date by attending live webinars to help prepare your business for the end of the EU Transition period. You can also access sector-specific webinars about how to prepare your business here.

• The Foreign Commonwealth and Development office are hosting a webinar on the changes to travel to Europe.
• HMRC customs declarations webinars: HMRC have launched live webinars covering how to complete customs import declarations and how to make import declarations between the EU and Great Britain.
• UK Transition Period: HSE and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) are hosting a webinar on Wednesday 20 January at 10am in preparation for the end UK.
• Department for International Trade webinars: DIT are hosting a series of webinars aimed at UK businesses who import and export goods.
• The Ministry of Justice have published several on-demand webinars for legal professionals discussing legal changes from 1 January 2021.
• Trading with the EU: A video series has been released that explains what businesses need to do to be ready for 1 January 2021. These videos cover what businesses need to know about exports and imports, customs, commodity codes and controlled goods. To view the videos, click here.

Visit the GOV.UK transition webinar page to find out more.

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

Residents survey 2020

The NK Plan is now in its consultation phase and as part of this, the views from residents across the district would be welcomed. In addition the Council is introducing a Community Strategy, reflecting the longer-term aspirations for North Kesteven through to 2030, and a Climate Emergency Strategy and Action Plan which we would like to consult with you on.

The survey should take approximately 25 minutes to complete. The closing date for the survey is Monday 4th January 2021. We appreciate you giving your time and opinions and look forward to receiving your response. Please access the survey by clicking here.

All the responses you give will be strictly confidential and will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018. The information collected will be used to understand the demographics of our customers and to improve services. By submitting this survey, you agree that we will process this information in line with our privacy policy: https://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/privacy

If you have any questions please contact the corporate information team on 01529 414155 or email Research@n-kesteven.gov.uk

Working safely during Coronavirus updates

Restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway: guidance on Tier 3 restrictions to clarify that customers can enter the premises to place or collect any type of order between 5am and 11pm has been updated. See the ‘What’s changed’ section for further information, here. 

Labs and research facilities page has been updated to clarify that workplace canteens open to staff only do not need to collect data for NHS Test and Trace. See the ‘What’s changed’ section for further information here. 

Shops and branches guidance has been updated to clarify that betting shops must keep a record of all customers, visitors and staff. Workplace canteens open to staff only do not need to collect data for NHS Test and Trace. See the ‘What’s changed’ section for further information here. 

Business Lincolnshire covid-19 funding

You can visit the Business Lincolnshire website for the latest updates and guidance to include the funding available to businesses.