Scarborough Council publishes details of financial support for business affected by coronavirus

Scarborough Council has published details of what financial support businesses are entitled to as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and how they can claim it.
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In response to coronavirus (Covid-19) the Government has set out a package of temporary and targeted measures to provide additional support to businesses.

These measures include:

- a statutory sick pay relief package for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

Scarborough Town Hall. Picture: JPI Media/ Richard PonterScarborough Town Hall. Picture: JPI Media/ Richard Ponter
Scarborough Town Hall. Picture: JPI Media/ Richard Ponter
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- a 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England

- small business grant funding of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief

- grant funding of up to £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000

- the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme to support long-term viable businesses who may need to respond to cash-flow pressures by seeking additional finance

- the HMRC Time To Pay Scheme

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Scarborough Council is responsible for administering the business rate relief and grant funding packages announced by the Government.

If a business rates bill for the 2020/21 financial year showed that a business was eligible for 50% retail relief this relief will be increased to 100%.

Businesses do not need to apply for this relief or contact the council.

A council spokesman added: “If you have a direct debit set up against a business rates account that is eligible for this relief no payments will be taken in respect of the 2020/21 financial year. You do not need to notify us to cancel your direct debit arrangement.

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“If you have a retail business with a rateable value in excess of £51k you will now be eligible for 100% business rate relief.”

The council says it is awaiting clarification from the Government for the criteria of business that will be classified as hospitality and leisure in order to get the 12 months business rates holiday.

The same applies to the criteria for the grant relief payments of £10,000 and £25,000.

Cllr Liz Colling, Deputy Leader of Scarborough Borough Council said: “We are committed to using the powers the government is giving us to support local businesses in whatever way we can, at what is a very difficult time for them, their staff and their families.

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“The information we have published includes details on how local businesses can access financial support, which includes a 12-month business rate holiday for all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses.”

Detailed information is also available online at scarborough.gov.uk.