Published: 07/04/2020 By Jane Price
The government has announced grants for small businesses, in response to the Coronavirus outbreak. Woking Borough Council are trying to identify businesses that are entitled to these grants and issue payments as quickly as possible. Woking council have provided the following information regarding the different grants available:Grant Scheme 1 provides a £10,000 grant payment to a business in occupation of a property and receiving Small Business Rate Relief or Rural Relief.
In order to be able to pay you this grant, you will need to complete and submit the online application form for Scheme 1, on Woking Borough Council’s website at https://www.woking.gov.uk/businessrategrants
To qualify for a Scheme 2 grant, you must occupy a property with a Rateable Value below £51,000 and qualify for Retail Discount under the Government’s Expanded Retail Discount Scheme. The most recent 2020/21 Business Rate bill will show if you have been awarded Retail Discount.
If you have not been awarded Retail Discount and after reading the guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/business-rates-retail-discount-guidance) believe you would qualify, please contact the Business Rates section by email: brates@woking.gov.uk and they will check if you qualify.
The council has requested you do not apply for the Grant if you do not meet the criteria:
1. The business is occupied (as at 11th March)
2. The rateable value must be less than £51,000
3. You must qualify for Retails Discount under the Expanded scheme
Grant Scheme 2 has two different award amounts:
Scheme 2a provides a £10,000 payment and applies to a Business with a Rateable Value of up to £15,000.
Scheme 2b provides a £25,000 payment and applies to a Business with a Rateable Value between £15,001 to £50,999. (The Rateable Value is shown on your Business Rate bill).
Details of the Government’s Grant Support schemes can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-business-support-grant-funding
In order to be paid this grant, you will need to complete and submit the online application form for Scheme 2 (a) or 2 (b) depending on your Rateable Value. This can be found on Woking Borough Council’s website at: https://www.woking.gov.uk/businessrategrants
You will need to provide details from your recent Business Rates bill plus bank details in order for the Council to be able to pay you. Your Business Rates Account number is given at the top of this letter to assist.
On receipt of the online form your entitlement will be verified against your business rates account and provided you meet the government set criteria, payment will be made by the Council’s Finance department.
Please visit our coronavirus webpage here for more information on the current government schemes available. Alternatively if you do not qualify for any of the government help head over to our TBA Finance website here where alternative sources of finance may be on offer.