Government support
The Government has outlined some financial support measures within their coronavirus business support package.
The district and borough councils in West Sussex will be administering some elements of the support as follows:
- the business rates holiday for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses
- cash grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with a maximum rateable value of £51,000
- cash grants for businesses already receiving Small Business Rate Relief and/or Rural Rate Relief and who occupy property.
Government announced the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund in May to provide additional support for businesses. The fund is designed to offer some support to small businesses that were not eligible for the Small Business Rate Relief, Rural Rate Relief Grant Fund or the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant fund.
Each of the district and borough councils in West Sussex have set out guidance and criteria for their fund. Information can be found by visiting the district and borough councils websites.
Information is available on the district and borough council web sites:
For more information on all the financial schemes and support made available by Government including, who is eligible and how to apply, visit the Government’s Financial Support for Business pages.
Financial support and grants are also being provided for individuals, businesses and employers in particular sectors:
Arts Council England have announced a £160 million support package for individual artists and for organisations who are currently funded to deliver projects or receive regular funding.
National Heritage Fund have announced £50 million Heritage Emergency Fund which is open for applications until the end of June. Grants of £3,000-£50,000 and £50,000-£250,000 are available.
Sport England have announced a £195 million package of support to help sport and physical activity through coronavirus. The money will help partners, clubs and community organisations cope with the short and long-term impact of the pandemic.
The Prince's Countryside Fund is inviting applications for emergency funding from farming and rural community support groups, who are providing assistance to counter the effects of isolation during the Coronavirus pandemic. Groups can apply for grant funding up to £2,500.
The Creative Industries Federation has announced a partnership with Crowdfunder's Pay It Forward scheme. The scheme provides an online platform to enable creative businesses and individuals to pre-sell tickets, products, bookings and services now, to be redeemed later.
The Sustainable Innovation Fund has been announced by Government to help support innovative businesses to bounce back from the impact of coronavirus. The £200 million package is being delivered through Innovate UK and will help companies keep their cutting-edge projects and ideas alive.
