 If you have already applied for the small business grant fund or retail, hospitality and leisure grant, we have now started making payments. We have a lot of applications and are working through them as quickly as possible. Like most other local authorities, we have a national software provider and we had to work with them to make the necessary changes to our IT systems before payments could be made. Payments are being made by BAC's and cheque. Payments by BAC's are quicker and typically take three working days to show in your account so we anticipate the first payments to show on Friday. Payments by cheque are dependent on the postal system. We understand the importance of processing these payments as fast as possible and recognise the enormous pressures that many businesses are under at this time.
Please encourage any business owners you know in Portsmouth to check if their business is eligible for a grant. Eligible businesses just need to complete the online form so payments can be made.
The government have now announced that the online claim service will be launched on GOV.UK on 20 April 2020. The only way to claim will be online but the service should be simple to use and any support you need available on GOV.UK; this will include help with calculating the amount you can claim. Claims will be paid within 6 working days.
Support for charities and social enterprises
 The Charity Bank and Good Finance both have really useful COVID-19 Resource Hubs for Charities and Social Enterprises. Social Enterprise UK also have coronavirus support and resources.
Charities and social enterprises may be entitled to financial support through Government grant schemes depending on their rateable value and what their premises are used for - eg charity shops would be classed as retail.
A £370 million government grant has been provided to the National Lottery Community Fund for small and medium-sized charities. The government are also providing a £360 million package of support which will be directly allocated to charities providing key services and supporting vulnerable people during the crisis. This will include hospices, St Johns Ambulance, victims charities (including domestic abuse), vulnerable children charities and Citizens Advice.
Food redistribution businesses and charities will be encouraged to bid for grants from a £3.25 million pot, including those whose volunteer programmes have been affected by social distancing measures or those that cannot access their usual commercial support network.
 Our dedicated coronavirus business support helpline is open from 7am - 7pm Monday to Friday. If you can't find the support you need online or would just like a friendly voice to guide you through it, please give the team a call on 023 9284 1641.
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