Additional support for businesses affected by Covid-19
In March 2021, the Government announced a new Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) for councils to support businesses affected by the pandemic but that were not eligible for the previous financial support linked to business rates.
In mid-December 2021, the Government issued the fund guidance and allocations to councils. Richmondshire’s share is £631,000.
Each council is required to adopt a local discretionary scheme, in line with government guidelines, to determine eligibility to reduce the business rates due for 2021-22. The relief will be calculated after other mandatory, and government funded discretionary reductions have been applied.
Under the Government guidelines:
- Businesses will not be able to receive this relief if they have previously received support for the same period or would have been eligible for the Expanded Retail Discount. This rule applies to the retail, hospitality and leisure, and nursery sectors.
- Unoccupied properties will not qualify for the reduction.
The relief will be directed towards ratepayers who have been adversely affected by the pandemic and have been unable to adequately adapt to that impact. In order to qualify for this relief applicants must have been occupying rateable premises in Richmondshire and, recorded as such in the Council’s records as at 15 December 2021.
For details of our scheme and to apply visit our Apply for Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund page. Businesses must apply by midnight on 18 September 2022.