COVID-19: support for businesses
Blackpool Council is committed to helping businesses in the town to access the support available to help them cope with the COVID 19 pandemic.
We will be regularly updating the information available here on Blackpool Unlimited to be as current as possible.
*Latest News*
The Government has announced a £10m package of funding to support the tourism sector. Whilst we still await the details of the package we do know that this will be administered by the Lancashire Business Hub known as Boost, Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub
We also know that this will be using some of the last remaining European Regional Development Fund monies. This will mean there will be a set of eligibility criteria that will determine how and to who the money is allocated. It almost always means that only SME (Small and Medium Size Enterprises) will be eligible for support.
As and when we receive further details we will post them here.
*Register your establishment for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
Find out how to register your restaurant or establishment for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.
You can use the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme to offer a discount to diners and encourage them to eat at your restaurant.
A full range of business support measures have been made available to UK businesses for:
- Paying your employees
- Paying sick pay
- Paying tax
- Business rates relief
- Business support grant funds
- Support for the self-employed
- Support for small and medium-sized businesses
- Support for large businesses
Find out what financial support schemes you may be eligible for
Find coronavirus financial support for your business
Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
More information and how to make a claim
Support for businesses who are paying sick pay to employees
Eligibility and how to access the scheme
Paying tax & VAT
Deferral of VAT payments due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Deferral of Self-Assessment payments due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
If you cannot pay your tax bill on time
Support for businesses that pay business rates
Business rates holiday for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses
Further guidance for local authorities is available in the expanded retail discount guidance.
Check if your nursery is eligible for business rates relief
A business rates holiday for nurseries has been introduced
Grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses
A £25,000 grant will be provided to retail, hospitality and leisure businesses operating from smaller premises, with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000.
Support for businesses that pay little or no business rates (SBRR)
The government will provide additional funding for local authorities to support small businesses that already pay little or no business rates because of small business rate relief (SBBR). This will provide a one-off grant of £10,000 to businesses currently eligible for SBRR or rural rate relief, to help meet their ongoing business costs.
UPDATE - If you are eligible for the Small Business Grant or the grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000 can you please click on the following link, this will enable eligible ratepayers the opportunity to submit bank details to allow for payment straight into their account.
https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Business/Business-rates/COVID-19-update/Latest-Information.aspx
Discretionary Grant Fund (now closed)
Local Authorities are being asked to administer and co-design a Discretionary Grant Fund. We are awaiting further government guidance (expected this week). The discretionary focus means there is a limit on funds available. Broadly 5% of the national pot – which if applied locally would be circa £3m.
It is clear that this will be an application process rather than an automatic grant – and each application will be judged on its merit against agreed national/local criteria. The challenge for the authority is to design a fair and open process within the limits of the budget the government will allow us to spend (or reclaim), and to do so quickly so the assistance can be distributed without undue delay. Clearly we are aware some businesses have fallen through the cracks of government support, and whilst helpful this Discretionary Fund will still have its limits.
The fund will be promoted widely as soon as it goes live Monday 1st June, and applications will have to be submitted via a standard application form (This scheme is now closed)
Support for the self-employed
Use this scheme if you’re self-employed or a member of a partnership in the UK and have lost income due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
*UPDATE* You will need to check here if eligible, then create an account so you can apply when the scheme opens w/c 11th May
Claim a grant through the coronavirus (COVID-19) Self-employment Income Support Scheme
Support for small and medium-sized businesses
Apply for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) supports small and medium-sized businesses, with an annual turnover of up to £45 million, to access loans, overdrafts, invoice finance and asset finance of up to £5 million for up to 6 years.
Apply for the Coronavirus Future Fund
The Future Fund will provide government loans to UK-based companies ranging from £125,000 to £5 million, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors.
Apply for a Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan
The Bounce Back Loan scheme will help small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000.
The government will guarantee 100% of the loan and there won’t be any fees or interest to pay for the first 12 months.
Support for large businesses
Apply for the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme
The Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) supports large businesses, with an annual turnover of over £45 million.
Apply for the COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility
Under the COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF), the Bank of England will buy short-term debt from large companies.
New measures to protect UK high street from aggressive rent collection and closure
High street shops and other companies under strain will be protected from aggressive rent collection and asked to pay what they can during the coronavirus pandemic.
Guidance for UK businesses trading internationally.
The guidance here is for UK businesses that export or deliver goods and services abroad and have been impacted by the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Offer coronavirus (COVID-19) support from your business
Use this service to tell how your business might be able to help with the response to coronavirus. Check what support is needed here
Coronavirus (COVID-19): fraud and cyber crime
Advice and guidance here on how to protect yourself and your business from fraud and cyber crime.
