Rate relief for businesses, clubs and training centres

BUSINESSES can benefit from the Government's £22 billion grant and business rates package designed to help them deal with operational disruption during the pandemic.

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) legal team has been working to interpret the support measures and to provide advice to affiliated clubs, class associations and recognised training centres which, it advises, are eligible for a one-off grant payment dependent on their rateable value.

Those with a rateable value of less than £15,000 will receive £10,000 and those clubs with a rateable value of between £15,000 and £51,000 will be provided with a grant of £25,000. Business rates have also been suspended for the next 12 months.

The RYA suggests that sailing clubs and training centres should contact their local authority and ask for any communication to be sent via email to avoid delays.

It has also received many enquiries from members wanting to understand the implications arising out of the current crisis for recreational boaters and particularly cruising sailors concerned about boating abroad. The RYA website has been updated with latest information and links to Government advice.

RYA director of external affairs, Howard Pridding, said: “I want to reassure members that the RYA remains operational and fully focused on providing advice and guidance to members. We continue to engage with Government and will update information on the RYA website as things develop.”