FAQs available on Covid-19 business rate relief grants

Two guides with useful Frequently Asked Questions have been released by the Government today that cover the Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund.

Under the Small Business Grant Fund, or SBGF, all businesses in England in receipt of Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rates Relief – as of 11 March, 2020 – will be eligible for a payment of £10,000. It is estimated that this will apply to some 730,000 businesses across England.

Under the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund businesses in England in receipt of the Expanded Retail Discount as of 11 March, with a rateable value, or RV, of less than £51,000, will be eligible for cash grants of up to £25,000 per property.

Eligible businesses in these sectors with a property that has an RV value of up to and including £15,000 will receive a grant of £10,000. Those with a property that has an RV of over  £15,000 but less than £51,000 will receive a grant of £25,000. Businesses with an RV of £51,000+ aren’t eligible. Businesses which aren’t ratepayers in the business rates system are also excluded.

The documents can be viewed in full here: Master Small Business Grant Fund And Retail Guidance and here: Business Support Grant FAQs. You can also refer to the Government’s business support website: https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/