Small Business Grants

merton7

I run a small business, and rent a serviced office, our rent is inclusive of rates. There are very many small businesses in a similar situation.

As our landlords are responsible for rates, we as tenants do not qualify for the Small Business Rates Relief. This applies to many serviced offices, for example all of those offices rented out by Regis.

 Is there any way we are going to be able to access the Small Business Grant without being flagged as a business in receipt of SBRR?

 This seems an anomaly that a business with a different rent structure can qualify, and those with a rent inclusive of rates cannot.

Has anyone found a way to access this grant? I have emailed my MP and my council, but with no answers

 

Jeremy535897

That's the way it is at present. There are lots of anomalies and we don't have much detail.

Jimbab

I'm in the same situation (although we don't rent or own a business property). I work from home and it's an online business so don't need to be registered for rates. 

lordy31

In same situation my business is registered under my accounting address total misleading on the news also banks are cashing in on there own loans NatWest won’t give me the government loan scheme as I have good credit they want to sell me there there normal loans or overdraft with setup fees and interest 

Smirrs

My partner rents a workspace that would certainly qualify for SBRR. It's a self-contained unit in an outbuilding. However, because the main building (including the whole site) is owned by a charity that qualifies for discretionary rate relief, the workspaces it rents out are apparently not registered as receiving SBRR by the local council as the charity doesn't pay any rates at all. So no grant for any of the small businesses there.

The government's help package is more like a homemade string bag!

brettd

As a sole trader who occupies a property in England, and pays zero business rates as i get small business rate relief, would my business be entitled to the 10K government grant?

Jeremy535897

brettd said:

As a sole trader who occupies a property in England, and pays zero business rates as i get small business rate relief, would my business be entitled to the 10K government grant?

I would expect so. Full details here:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/877065/small-business-grant-fund-and-retail-guidance-v2.pdf

brettd

thank you Jeremy. I seem to fit all the eligibility criteria. however i was concerned as are a lot of people i know who own small businesses, that although we seem to fit the criteria we were worried as we are sole traders and not limited companies this could change things. nowhere on government guidance on eligibility does it say this but it was just a concern

mattyprice4004

Jimbab said:

I'm in the same situation (although we don't rent or own a business property). I work from home and it's an online business so don't need to be registered for rates. 

The idea is to support businesses with larger overheads - working from home means you don't have separate business rent, electric, gas, water bills etc so in theory don't need the grant as much as someone who does.  

Jeremy535897

brettd said:

thank you Jeremy. I seem to fit all the eligibility criteria. however i was concerned as are a lot of people i know who own small businesses, that although we seem to fit the criteria we were worried as we are sole traders and not limited companies this could change things. nowhere on government guidance on eligibility does it say this but it was just a concern

It does not seem to matter whether you are a sole trader, partnership or limited company.

Hesel18

this from Gov.uk website

The Business Secretary Alok Sharma and Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, Simon Clarke spoke to local authorities in England yesterday to set out that up to £617 million would be made available.

This is an additional 5% uplift to the £12.33 billion funding previously announced for the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund (RHLGF), so up to £617 million. We will confirm the exact amount for each local authority next week.

This additional fund is aimed at small businesses with ongoing fixed property-related costs. We are asking local authorities to prioritise businesses in shared spaces, regular market traders, small charity properties that would meet the criteria for Small Business Rates Relief, and bed and breakfasts that pay council tax rather than business rates. But local authorities may choose to make payments to other businesses based on local economic need. The allocation of funding will be at the discretion of local authorities.

Businesses must be small, under 50 employees, and they must also be able to demonstrate that they have seen a significant drop of income due to Coronavirus restriction measures.

There will be three levels of grant payments. The maximum will be £25,000. There will also be grants of £10,000. local authorities will have discretion to make payments of any amount under £10,000. It will be for councils to adapt this approach to local circumstances.

Further guidance for local authorities will be set out shortly.