BUSINESS LOCKDOWN SUPPORT SCHEME REOPENS.

Published: 15 March 2021

A scheme to help support businesses through lockdown restrictions has been reopened by Folkestone & Hythe District Council.

More funding for Additional Restrictions Grants (ARGs) was announced by central government in last week’s budget – although the total sum is not yet known.

This discretionary grant is available for businesses which have been impacted by the national lockdowns but have not been legally required to close or are not business rate payers.

To be eligible, businesses need to have been significantly impacted – at least 25% – and incurred fixed business costs that cannot be cancelled.

The council is inviting new applicants to apply for this funding and further details and the application form can be accessed by visiting folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/additional-restrictions-grant

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 19 March. Previous applicants and recipients should not reapply for additional funding.

Cllr David Monk, F&HDC Leader, said: “It’s great that more money has been made available to support local businesses in Folkestone & Hythe. I would encourage new applicants to get in touch if they are eligible for this financial support.”

To date, the council has received 464 ARG applications and approved 270 of these. The grant funds awarded so far total £2,982,796 - which is 91% of our original allocation from central government.

This scheme is paying awards equivalent to the Local Restrictions Support Grant (available to businesses legally required to close and are business rate payers).

For businesses that have previously received LRSG funding, the council is awaiting guidance about the future of this funding – which will be known as the Restart Grant Scheme moving forward.