By Andrew Brown

A one-off financial support package, known as the Restart Grant, is now available to support Sefton businesses as they reopen in line with the easing of national coronavirus restrictions.

Restart Grants of between £2,667 and £18,000 are available for businesses which are liable for Business Rates. Grant payments will be based on the rateable value of the property and the sector which the business operates in.

The application window for Sefton businesses will open on Monday 12th April 2021 and the deadline for applications to be submitted is Wednesday 30th June 2021.

Full details of eligibility and how to apply can be found on the Sefton Council website, along with links to guides for businesses to support their safe reopening.

Businesses are advised to read the eligibility criteria, and to familiarise themselves with the new Subsidy Allowance rules, before completing an online application.

This Government requires additional information from businesses than previous grant applications and requires the Council to undertake extensive pre-payment verification checks. Consequently, it is estimated that it will take 4-6 weeks from an application being received to payment being issued to eligible businesses.

Every effort will be made to make payment earlier. Businesses are asked not to request progress updates as this will slow down the issuing of grant payments. Progress updates will be posted on the Council’s website and social media.

The new national grant will replace the previous Local Restrictions Support Grant. The deadline to submit new applications to the Local Restrictions Support Grant is Monday 31st May 2021 for the period between 16th February and 31st March 2021. 

For more details about Southport BID please visit their website at southportbid.com or southportindependents.co.uk and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Linked In on @southportBID