COVID-19: local authority discretionary grants fund

Small and micro businesses with fixed property costs that are not eligible for the Small Business Grant Fund or the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund may be eligible for the Discretionary Grants Scheme.

What you get

You can get a grant of £25,000, £10,000 or any amount under £10,000.

Eligibility

You may be eligible if your business:

• is based in England

• has relatively high ongoing fixed property-related costs

• occupies property (or part of a property) with a rateable value or annual mortgage/rent payments below £51,000

• was trading on 11 March 2020

You will need to show that your business has suffered a significant fall in income due to coronavirus.

Local councils have been asked to prioritise businesses such as:

• small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces, such as units in industrial parks or incubators

• regular market traders

• bed and breakfasts paying council tax instead of business rates

• charity properties getting charitable business rates relief, which are not eligible for small business rates relief or rural rate relief

Local councils have discretion about how to prioritise this funding. Please check with your council for details of their scheme.

You cannot apply if your business is in administration, insolvent or has received a striking-off notice.

If you’re already claiming funding

You cannot apply if you’re already claiming under another government grant scheme, such as:

• Small Business Grant Fund

• Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant

You’re still eligible if you’ve applied for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme or the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.

Businesses that apply for the discretionary grants scheme can still apply for coronavirus-related loans if they’re eligible.

How to apply

Visit your local council’s website here to find out how to apply: