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.
Business Support Helpdesk
*UPDATE 09.04.21: Restart Grants*
The government recently announced a new package of measures to help re-start the economy following the COVID19 pandemic.This is the Restart Grant and will be paid as a one-off payment to all businesses registered to pay business rates on 1 April 2021 and who had been severely impacted by the previous lockdown announced on 5 January 2021.
This includes locally rated businesses from the retail, hospitality, leisure, accommodation and personal care sectors who were in occupation of their premises and economically active on 1 April 2021.
The amounts will vary based on the type and size of your business. Please read more and apply here
Local Restriction Support Grant (LRSG)
The Local Restriction Support Grant (LRSG) supports businesses that have been forced to close due to temporary COVID-19 local lockdown restrictions imposed by the government.
The LRSG supports local businesses which were open as usual, providing services in person to customers from their business premises, but which were then forced to close for at least 2 weeks due to local lockdown restrictions imposed by government. Find out more information and apply
Businesses required to close in England due to local or national restrictions will be eligible for the following:
- For properties with a rateable value of £15k or under, grants to be £1,334 per month, or £667 per two weeks;
- For properties with a rateable value of between £15k-£51k grants to be £2,000 per month, or £1,000 per two weeks;
- For properties with a rateable value of £51k or over grants to be £3,000 per month, or £1,500 per two weeks.
*UPDATE* Applications
The application process is now open for all of the Local Restriction Grant Schemes in a single application form. You only need to apply once.
Blackpool Council know the majority of businesses that are eligible for these payments. Your application will be refused at the point of submission if you are not on our list of eligible businesses.
Financial Support
Financial support for businesses during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Grant Extension - The Government is continuing its support for millions of self-employed individuals by extending the Self Employment Income Support Scheme Grant (SEISS).
Support for small and medium-sized businesses
Government support for jobs
*UPDATE* Furlough Scheme Extended and Further Economic Support announced The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been extended for a month with employees receiving 80% of their current salary for hours not worked and further economic support announced.
Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - 30 November 2020 is the last day you can submit claims for periods ending on or before 31 October 2020
Support for businesses who are paying sick pay to employees
Other useful links
An open letter to the Prime Minister from Blackpool
Local restrictions and government guidance
Advice and information from Blackpool Council
