City of Lincoln Council: Business Closure Grants

Qualifying Criteria

For Businesses that have a separate business rates account to qualify for the Local Restrictions Support Grant, businesses must:

– have been open as usual and providing in-person services to customers from their business premises on the 4^th of November 2020 and then mandated to close by Government from 5^th November 2020, or

– still be closed due to national restrictions imposed on 23 March 2020 as a result of regulations made under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 i.e. nightclubs, dance halls, discotheques, sexual entertainment venues and hostess bars.

– And have been registered and be the liable business rate payer on 5^th November 2020.

Where a hereditament has mixed premises and only part of the business is subject to national closures (e.g. locksmith/shoe repairs, restaurant/takeaway), the hereditament will be eligible to receive a LRSG grant if the business is required to close its main service. Local Authorities will be required to exercise their discretion and judge whether this is the case based on their local knowledge.

Businesses that are required to close but then diversify to remain open in part e.g. restaurants/cafes that close but retain a takeaway service or shops that close but retain a click and collect facility will still be eligible for a grant.

For Businesses that don’t have a separate business rates account to qualify for the Additional Restrictions Support Grant, businesses must:

– have been open as usual and providing in-person services to customers from their business premises on the 4^th of November 2020 and then mandated to close by Government from 5^th November 2020 .

– And be able to evidence non business rates, rent or mortgage costs above the minimum cost threshold outlined below for a building or premises which has a primary business purpose or trading use.