Sole trader

AP41

Hi, I'm a sole trader in my 2nd year of business with my coffee shop, my wages are hit and miss at the best of times, when I do its under £100, I have no savings, my husband works but is on the sick at the moment after a operation. Due to government decisions  on Friday and lack of trade anyway, since coronavirus. I have decided closed my business from Monday until further notice. Am I entitled to anything??? 

justwhat

Maybe the small business grant based on rates . look at FSB  website. If you close you may not get it ?

fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19.html

Jeremy535897

Look at the gov.uk website and the COVID-19 support for businesses. There are a number of things that might help, but without knowing more about your business I can't be more specific. There are grants depending on the rateable value of your shop, or if you qualify for small business rate relief, help with employees you have to lay off (if you have any other than yourself), business interruption loans, VAT deferral (if you pay VAT), self assessment deferral (if you pay tax) and of course you can apply for universal credit, depending on your joint income. It may also be that the Government recognises that this is a tricky time for self-employed businesses and decides to do more.

AP41

Thanks Guys , I'm new to all this and really feel out of my depth of where to search and how to apply - keep coming up with the same stuff that isn't the info I need . I will look on the FSB . org and see what it says . If I reopen the shop it will cost me more than i will make with electricity and stock etc , I am in the category that i don't pay business rates and from what i have read my local council will contact me regarding the Government grant offered to small businesses ( anything would be a help ). I think my husbands wage is too high for me to claim UC , we live off the overdraft as it is ! It is some way comforting to think that everybody is going through this uncertainty we are not alone  
Thank you 

AP41

Hello again 
Would anybody be able to clarify that I may not be entitled to the Government small business grant if i have decided to follow government advice and close my business due to the Corona virus .I have been on the fsb.org website but it didn't answer my question so   I have emailed fsb.org but nobody is in the office until Monday 
Thank you 

Jeremy535897

I don't think it was Government advice that you close your coffee shop. It was a legal requirement? It would be totally perverse if that stopped you claiming the grant.