Two new grant schemes to support businesses affected in different ways by the COVID alert level 'Very High' (Tier 3) restrictions are now open. The schemes will remain operational whilst Derby is in either Tier 3 or Tier 2.

Full details of the grants, application criteria and links to the application forms are available on the Derby City Council Business Financial Support pages.

The Local Restrictions Support Grant for Closed Businesses is for businesses that are required to be closed.  You can see a list of businesses that have been forced to close here.

The Local Restrictions Support Grant for Open Businesses is for businesses which are open but are being severely affected by the impact of Covid-19.

To help businesses determine which Grant to apply for, we are asking businesses to answer these three questions:

  • Are you registered for business rates within Derby City?
  • Has your business got a rateable value?
  • Has your business been forced to close?    

If the answer to all these questions is yes, then you should apply for the Local Restrictions Support Grant for Closed Businesses.

If the answer to at least one of these questions is no, but you operate within target sectors, as identified by Government, and have been severely impacted by the local restrictions, then apply to be considered for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) Open.

The government has provided additional funding for the LRSG (open) scheme to allow us to support the target sectors of hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses which are open but severely impacted by the local restrictions from 2 December 2020. Businesses principally engaged in supplying food and beverages to these sectors which have been severely impacted by local restrictions are also eligible to apply.

An additional one-off grant is also available to businesses that are classed as ‘wet led’ further details of that grant can be found also be found on the Derby City Council Business Financial Support pages

The two schemes, the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) and the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG), which were in place through the national measures during November, have been now been closed.

Councillor Nicola Roulstone, Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement said:

We remain committed to the businesses of Derby and to ensure we can provide support where it’s needed.  These grants are designed to meet the specific needs of different businesses, those who remain closed and those who are struggling.

Like all of you I’m heartened by news that a vaccine is almost ready to roll out and can assure you all that we will keeping fighting to support local businesses until we can return to a more familiar life.