Tuesday, April 6, 2021
Under the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG), local authorities can develop discretionary grant schemes to help those businesses which are severely impacted by the restrictions put in place to control the spread of Covid-19 but do not meet the eligibility criteria applicable to the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) or one-off grant funding under the Restart Grant (RG).
Full eligibility criteria and grant funding levels for round 4 of the Maidstone Borough Council scheme covering the period from the 17th February 2021 are detailed here.
This is expected to be the last round of funding under the scheme in its current form and aims to provide support through to the planned re-opening of the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors later this year.
For ease of administration, businesses that qualified for a grant under round 3 of the discretionary scheme (period 5th January to 16th February) and meet the criteria for round 4 of the scheme will be automatically awarded a further grant with no need for a further application.
Businesses must notify the Council of any changes affecting their entitlement to receive a grant.
Which businesses will be eligible for the grant?
Businesses based in the Maidstone Borough which meet one of the following criteria:
Category A – Non-essential retail, hospitality, or leisure businesses that have been legally required to close; occupy a commercial workspace and have been unable to claim support through the LRSG or RG as they are not the business ratepayer.
Category B – Supply Chain for goods or services to the retail, hospitality or leisure sector represent 50% or more of the business income, occupy commercial workspace and are unable to claim support through the LRSG or RG.
Category C – Essential retail businesses which occupy commercial workspace and whilst not legally required to close have decided to temporarily close due to it not being possible to trade in a Covid secure way.
Category D – Limited companies and business start-ups with less than 50 employees, that can evidence a significant reduction in income and have been unable to claim support through the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, LRSG or RG. (includes home-based businesses)
Category E – Hardship fund, businesses in any sector that have been able to remain open and can evidence a significant reduction in income and trade due to reduced footfall in our town centre and other retail destinations. Are registered for business rates and have been unable to claim support through the LRSG or RG.