Small business grant help

carsam444

Hi guys and girls, 
in need of some help please... I applied through my local district council for a small business grant to only be told I don’t qualify ! The situation is this: I agreed with a new landlord to take over one of his available units which was up for rent. It’s 2000 square foot and obviously is rateable. The trouble is this was agreed before the lockdown happened and our tenancy agreement was delayed because of this. Our district council are saying that because we wasn’t occupying this unit before the 11th March we don’t qualify !!  Is this right? How is this supporting local businesses ? Any advice would be really appreciated. 

For information gov.uk states that only businesses that are dissolved or in liquidation on the 11 March don’t qualify , not existing businesses. 

Thanks guys and girls. 

Jeremy535897

Firstly, you had to be on the rating list at 11 March 2020. Secondly, councils are taking the view that there has to be a business operating from the premises (or would be but for coronavirus). They are rejecting claims where the business has yet to start operating from the property. There is no right of appeal. The detailed guidance says at paragraph 11:
"Under the Small Business Grant Fund (SBGF) all businesses in England in receipt of either Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) or Rural Rates Relief (RRR) in the business rates system will be eligible for a payment of £10,000 in line with the eligibility criteria as set out in paragraphs 16-23."

The full guidance to LAs is at
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/878807/business_support_grants-local_authorities_guidance.pdf

kado

My husband applied for a small business grant from Local Council West Dunbartonshire.  They are trying to say he is not eligible because his business address is classed a a yard and therefore not eligible.  He gets Small Business Rates Relief,  On the Scottish Assessors Association website the property is listed as Yard Etc.  We are trying to argue that it is used as a Workshop and he runs the business from this property.  Has anyone  been refused because of this excuse

Jeremy535897

I have heard someone say they claimed on a yard, but that was hearsay. I wonder if they are excluding it because they are treating it as a car park? 

Airwolf1

carsam444 said:

Hi guys and girls, 
in need of some help please... I applied through my local district council for a small business grant to only be told I don’t qualify ! The situation is this: I agreed with a new landlord to take over one of his available units which was up for rent. It’s 2000 square foot and obviously is rateable. The trouble is this was agreed before the lockdown happened and our tenancy agreement was delayed because of this. Our district council are saying that because we wasn’t occupying this unit before the 11th March we don’t qualify !!  Is this right? How is this supporting local businesses ? Any advice would be really appreciated. 

For information gov.uk states that only businesses that are dissolved or in liquidation on the 11 March don’t qualify , not existing businesses. 

Thanks guys and girls. 

If the tenancy agreement was signed prior to lockdown then the council may review it and it would be worth emailing them back. Also this would depend on what type of business you're running or if you would be able to claim SBRR.

Jeremy535897

I originally said councils were challenging cases where the trade has yet to commence, on the grounds that it is not a business. On reflection, I fear that another issue may be that unoccupied properties don't qualify for SBRR and therefore don't meet the prime condition for eligibility.
You could try asking for this:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/top-up-to-local-business-grant-funds-scheme

Daidswife

kado said:

My husband applied for a small business grant from Local Council West Dunbartonshire.  They are trying to say he is not eligible because his business address is classed a a yard and therefore not eligible.  He gets Small Business Rates Relief,  On the Scottish Assessors Association website the property is listed as Yard Etc.  We are trying to argue that it is used as a Workshop and he runs the business from this property.  Has anyone  been refused because of this excuse

We've been told the same by Edinburgh council.  I'm about to appeal on the grounds that I know of similar businesses having been paid out but their premises are rated as 'workshop'