Firms urged to apply for council’s grant aid
SEFTON Council is urging businesses in the borough to ensure they apply for the business grants available for small businesses and those in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector.
The council is providing financial assistance to businesses hit by the disruption and difficulties caused by Covid-19.
The grants are simple to apply for and businesses will not have to repay them.
Two grants are available for businesses that were rate payers in Sefton before March 11:
Small Business Grants of £10,000 are for those based in a premises with a rateable value up to £15,000 and are in receipt of Small Business Rate Relief.
Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Grants operate at two levels. Businesses based in a premises with a rateable value of up to, and including, £15,000 and eligible for the Expanded Retail Discount are entitled to a grant of £10,000.
Those in a premises with a rateable value of more than £15,000 but less than £51,000 and eligible for the Expanded Retail Discount are entitled to a grant of £25,000.
Cllr Ian Maher, Sefton Council’s Labour leader, said: “We urge all business that fall into these categories to follow the simple processes that are in place so that they can receive these grants as quickly as possible.
“To date we are pleased to say that £28m has been distributed to businesses across Sefton, but we know there are more that have not yet applied and we would encourage them to do so without delay.
“These grants are designed to give small businesses some much needed financial support at this very challenging time and we want to ensure that all businesses that are eligible receive them.”
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and skills, said: “The system that has been put in place to give small businesses in Sefton this financial support has been made as straightforward as possible so that the council can distribute grants to businesses as a key priority and within a short space of time.
“The application process itself doesn’t take long, so if any business is not sure whether they are eligible or not, we’d urge them to check.”
To apply, businesses will need their business rates account number and unique property reference number (UPRN), which can be found on bills sent out in March 2020.
Any that do not have their bills will need to email business. rates@sefton.gov.uk and ask for it to be reissued.
Along with the UPRN, enter the business bank account, VAT registration number (if VAT registered) and companies number (if a limited company) on the online portal, https://forms. sefton.gov.uk/covid19businessform/
Firms that have occupied premises since before March 11 2020, but did not let Sefton Business Rates know will not be on the rates system and will be required to provide evidence that they are the occupiers.
Ongoing business support and advice for all businesses in
Sefton is available via InvestSefton. It has information on all the latest Covid-19 updates and support available to businesses in the borough at www.investsefton.com.