Coronavirus Grants

[Prolex-UK]

skwdenyer said:

Prolex-UK said:

Key thing is they gave councils discretion so you could have a differnt scheme in each LA

Moves all the fall out to councils

Amount of money is very small £3.4 million to us with 12k properties... We have spent neatly £70 illion on the 10 and 25k grants with over 200 still to pay

I hear you. But it just means the Govt-published information is in all likelihood a complete nonsense. And, yes, I realise you have no say in that, and I'm not moaning at you!

Thus far I've had no business rates relief (wrong type of business), no grant (wrong size of premises), no SEISS (wrong type of earnings), no Bounce Back Loan (wrong bank) and so on, whilst my premises has been closed for 12 weeks.

Next step is going to be an application for Hardship Relief to my council.

Perfect storm.

Hope you can get through this.

Almost like they threw a load of cash against the wall (the uk) if it stuck on your business ok if not tough

How can they explain tesco sainsbury's et al having tbe business rates cancelled this year when they remained open throughout

[Prolex-UK]

This is ours


businesses must occupy a property that has a rateable value of less than £51,000, or an annual rent, licence, or mortgage payment below £51,000. Or, in the case of retail, leisure and hospitality businesses the business must occupy a property with a rateable value of between £51,000- £60,000 (inclusive) or an annual rent, licence or mortgage payment of £60,000 or less

businesses must have a relatively high fixed property related cost: a fixed property related cost is defined as an ongoing fixed business premises rent cost, business premises licence cost, business premises mortgage cost, market pitch fee (in the case of a market trader), or business storage fee (in the case of a market trader) that is at least 30% of the annual business turnover

[jammy-git]

That last bit really screws over any small business in co-working or hot-desking offices.

[Prolex-UK]

jammy-git said:

That last bit really screws over any small business in co-working or hot-desking offices.

True.

Must stress its one councils approach.

[skwdenyer]

Prolex-UK said:

This is ours


businesses must occupy a property that has a rateable value of less than £51,000, or an annual rent, licence, or mortgage payment below £51,000. Or, in the case of retail, leisure and hospitality businesses the business must occupy a property with a rateable value of between £51,000- £60,000 (inclusive) or an annual rent, licence or mortgage payment of £60,000 or less

businesses must have a relatively high fixed property related cost: a fixed property related cost is defined as an ongoing fixed business premises rent cost, business premises licence cost, business premises mortgage cost, market pitch fee (in the case of a market trader), or business storage fee (in the case of a market trader) that is at least 30% of the annual business turnover

Thanks. That’s more hopeful from my PoV! I realise others may not find that so helpful.

[Prolex-UK]

skwdenyer said:

Prolex-UK said:

This is ours


businesses must occupy a property that has a rateable value of less than £51,000, or an annual rent, licence, or mortgage payment below £51,000. Or, in the case of retail, leisure and hospitality businesses the business must occupy a property with a rateable value of between £51,000- £60,000 (inclusive) or an annual rent, licence or mortgage payment of £60,000 or less

businesses must have a relatively high fixed property related cost: a fixed property related cost is defined as an ongoing fixed business premises rent cost, business premises licence cost, business premises mortgage cost, market pitch fee (in the case of a market trader), or business storage fee (in the case of a market trader) that is at least 30% of the annual business turnover

Thanks. That’s more hopeful from my PoV! I realise others may not find that so helpful.

You could quote it in any correspondence you have with your council perhaps?

[skwdenyer]

Prolex-UK said:

skwdenyer said:

Prolex-UK said:

This is ours


businesses must occupy a property that has a rateable value of less than £51,000, or an annual rent, licence, or mortgage payment below £51,000. Or, in the case of retail, leisure and hospitality businesses the business must occupy a property with a rateable value of between £51,000- £60,000 (inclusive) or an annual rent, licence or mortgage payment of £60,000 or less

businesses must have a relatively high fixed property related cost: a fixed property related cost is defined as an ongoing fixed business premises rent cost, business premises licence cost, business premises mortgage cost, market pitch fee (in the case of a market trader), or business storage fee (in the case of a market trader) that is at least 30% of the annual business turnover

Thanks. That’s more hopeful from my PoV! I realise others may not find that so helpful.

You could quote it in any correspondence you have with your council perhaps?

Thanks. Right now they're refusing to enter into any dialogue whatsoever pending publication of the terms next week.

[Prolex-UK]

skwdenyer said:

Prolex-UK said:

skwdenyer said:

Prolex-UK said:

This is ours


businesses must occupy a property that has a rateable value of less than £51,000, or an annual rent, licence, or mortgage payment below £51,000. Or, in the case of retail, leisure and hospitality businesses the business must occupy a property with a rateable value of between £51,000- £60,000 (inclusive) or an annual rent, licence or mortgage payment of £60,000 or less

businesses must have a relatively high fixed property related cost: a fixed property related cost is defined as an ongoing fixed business premises rent cost, business premises licence cost, business premises mortgage cost, market pitch fee (in the case of a market trader), or business storage fee (in the case of a market trader) that is at least 30% of the annual business turnover

Thanks. That’s more hopeful from my PoV! I realise others may not find that so helpful.

You could quote it in any correspondence you have with your council perhaps?

Thanks. Right now they're refusing to enter into any dialogue whatsoever pending publication of the terms next week.

Seems pretty poor.

I have been involved in email exchanges several times where customers are enquiring about the new scheme and our business support people have been helpful and kept them informed of the process.

Not doing that just stores up trouble

[skwdenyer]

Prolex-UK said:

Seems pretty poor.

I have been involved in email exchanges several times where customers are enquiring about the new scheme and our business support people have been helpful and kept them informed of the process.

Not doing that just stores up trouble

Agreed, but it reinforces my views of this particular London council

[J114rvy]

singlecoil said:

Write to your MP

https://www.writetothem.com/

Appreciate your help and the link after several letters, Council agreed that we are entitled - much appreciated.

[singlecoil]

J114rvy said:

singlecoil said:

Write to your MP

https://www.writetothem.com/

Appreciate your help and the link after several letters, Council agreed that we are entitled - much appreciated.

Just glad to hear it's worked out well

[skwdenyer]

J114rvy said:

singlecoil said:

Write to your MP

https://www.writetothem.com/

Appreciate your help and the link after several letters, Council agreed that we are entitled - much appreciated.

Well done.

[skwdenyer]

Note: my sister (in South Lakeland District Council’s area) tells me applications for the discretionary grants *close* on Monday. Other councils apparently likewise.

Meanwhile Tower Hamlets have still not even published their criteria or application process.

If you’re waiting on this, make sure you don’t miss the boat in your area!

[Prolex-UK]

skwdenyer said:

Note: my sister (in South Lakeland District Council’s area) tells me applications for the discretionary grants *close* on Monday. Other councils apparently likewise.

Meanwhile Tower Hamlets have still not even published their criteria or application process.

If you’re waiting on this, make sure you don’t miss the boat in your area!

ours went live on 12th.

Wonder if your sisters LA is going to split what money they have among those who qualify.

[skwdenyer]

Prolex-UK said:

skwdenyer said:

Note: my sister (in South Lakeland District Council’s area) tells me applications for the discretionary grants *close* on Monday. Other councils apparently likewise.

Meanwhile Tower Hamlets have still not even published their criteria or application process.

If you’re waiting on this, make sure you don’t miss the boat in your area!

ours went live on 12th.

Wonder if your sisters LA is going to split what money they have among those who qualify.

Unsure about SLDC. Tower Hamlets went live on Monday afternoon. Their criteria are:

LBTH said:

The council will only consider applications under the following categories.

Shared Spaces
This includes small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces, units in industrial parks, science parks and incubators who do not have their own business rates assessment (excluding spaces within residential properties).

Regular Market Traders
Regular market traders who do not have their own business rates assessment. To qualify for this payment, you must still hold a current trading licence and have traded for a minimum of 8 weeks in the first quarter of 2020.

Charities
Charity Properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief which would otherwise have been eligible for Small Business Rates Relief, having a rateable value below £15,000.

Select the 'Other eligible business' option below if your business does not fit into any of the above categories. This includes local independent businesses in leisure and hospitality which are usually open to visiting members of the public, if your rateable value is over £51,000 and up to £65,000, Childcare Ofsted registered Nurseries with rateable values of less than £51,000 and Small and Micro businesses whose income and turnover is directly related to the retail, hospitality and leisure sector and can demonstrate clearly in their application how their business is related to retail, hospitality and leisure sector as outlined in the retail, hospitality and leisure grant fund.

More info, including indicative award levels, here: https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgnl/advice_and_be...

Those in shared spaces have to demonstrate that their property-related costs are a significant proportion of their overall costs.

It definitely isn't especially generous, and it looks like its another thing I'll miss out on

[Prolex-UK]

skwdenyer said:

Prolex-UK said:

skwdenyer said:

Note: my sister (in South Lakeland District Council’s area) tells me applications for the discretionary grants *close* on Monday. Other councils apparently likewise.

Meanwhile Tower Hamlets have still not even published their criteria or application process.

If you’re waiting on this, make sure you don’t miss the boat in your area!

ours went live on 12th.

Wonder if your sisters LA is going to split what money they have among those who qualify.

Unsure about SLDC. Tower Hamlets went live on Monday afternoon. Their criteria are:

LBTH said:

The council will only consider applications under the following categories.

Shared Spaces
This includes small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces, units in industrial parks, science parks and incubators who do not have their own business rates assessment (excluding spaces within residential properties).

Regular Market Traders
Regular market traders who do not have their own business rates assessment. To qualify for this payment, you must still hold a current trading licence and have traded for a minimum of 8 weeks in the first quarter of 2020.

Charities
Charity Properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief which would otherwise have been eligible for Small Business Rates Relief, having a rateable value below £15,000.

Select the 'Other eligible business' option below if your business does not fit into any of the above categories. This includes local independent businesses in leisure and hospitality which are usually open to visiting members of the public, if your rateable value is over £51,000 and up to £65,000, Childcare Ofsted registered Nurseries with rateable values of less than £51,000 and Small and Micro businesses whose income and turnover is directly related to the retail, hospitality and leisure sector and can demonstrate clearly in their application how their business is related to retail, hospitality and leisure sector as outlined in the retail, hospitality and leisure grant fund.

More info, including indicative award levels, here: https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgnl/advice_and_be...

Those in shared spaces have to demonstrate that their property-related costs are a significant proportion of their overall costs.

It definitely isn't especially generous, and it looks like its another thing I'll miss out on

Nurseries... I thought they get relieif just for them already

[Chrocco]

I’ve tried writing to our MP to say that a large percentage of businesses have been forgotten and that the public have been mislead imo because most think that all have been helped.

I had a response originally but completely unrelated to what was in my email and mentioning about how they have helped all businesses with their various schemes. No reply since I advised the facts were not true.

The council have come back to me and asked if our premises are accessible to the public and if we are wholly retail. Yes they are accessible but no we are not wholly retail as a lot of our work is b2b but we do also work for private individuals who visit our premises. They’ve also asked for pictures. I will reply to them but I think they are going to refuse it. We only have a small area at the front of our office that we use as a retail area.

Extremely frustrating as it turns out that we could have split our unit in the eyes of business rates for two limited companies that we run and got the grant for both. I’m going to look into this going forward though to at least try and save the £8k we are due to start paying from next week.

One of our customers who has a 10000sq ft barn but split into 5 units for his 5 companies has received £25k for each one as they have been incorrectly recorded as retail previously for the business rates. They don’t need the money at all and it just shows how ridiculous this has been handled imo.

[Prolex-UK]

Chrocco said:

I’ve tried writing to our MP to say that a large percentage of businesses have been forgotten and that the public have been mislead imo because most think that all have been helped.

I had a response originally but completely unrelated to what was in my email and mentioning about how they have helped all businesses with their various schemes. No reply since I advised the facts were not true.

The council have come back to me and asked if our premises are accessible to the public and if we are wholly retail. Yes they are accessible but no we are not wholly retail as a lot of our work is b2b but we do also work for private individuals who visit our premises. They’ve also asked for pictures. I will reply to them but I think they are going to refuse it. We only have a small area at the front of our office that we use as a retail area.

Extremely frustrating as it turns out that we could have split our unit in the eyes of business rates for two limited companies that we run and got the grant for both. I’m going to look into this going forward though to at least try and save the £8k we are due to start paying from next week.

One of our customers who has a 10000sq ft barn but split into 5 units for his 5 companies has received £25k for each one as they have been incorrectly recorded as retail previously for the business rates. They don’t need the money at all and it just shows how ridiculous this has been handled imo.

Its unlikely that your council will accept the backdated change you suggest. The guidance specifically says its nit allowed unless the application was made before 11th march.

I do agree with your cimments about the whole thing being poorly thought out though.

Dud you try the discretionary grant?

[Chrocco]

Prolex-UK said:

Chrocco said:

I’ve tried writing to our MP to say that a large percentage of businesses have been forgotten and that the public have been mislead imo because most think that all have been helped.

I had a response originally but completely unrelated to what was in my email and mentioning about how they have helped all businesses with their various schemes. No reply since I advised the facts were not true.

The council have come back to me and asked if our premises are accessible to the public and if we are wholly retail. Yes they are accessible but no we are not wholly retail as a lot of our work is b2b but we do also work for private individuals who visit our premises. They’ve also asked for pictures. I will reply to them but I think they are going to refuse it. We only have a small area at the front of our office that we use as a retail area.

Extremely frustrating as it turns out that we could have split our unit in the eyes of business rates for two limited companies that we run and got the grant for both. I’m going to look into this going forward though to at least try and save the £8k we are due to start paying from next week.

One of our customers who has a 10000sq ft barn but split into 5 units for his 5 companies has received £25k for each one as they have been incorrectly recorded as retail previously for the business rates. They don’t need the money at all and it just shows how ridiculous this has been handled imo.

Its unlikely that your council will accept the backdated change you suggest. The guidance specifically says its nit allowed unless the application was made before 11th march.

I do agree with your cimments about the whole thing being poorly thought out though.

Dud you try the discretionary grant?

Yes, I’m aware that nothing grant wise can be back dated.

I looked into the discretionary grant but it mentions that we would be excluded as we are in premises that pay business rates.

[Prolex-UK]

Chrocco said:

Prolex-UK said:

Chrocco said:

I’ve tried writing to our MP to say that a large percentage of businesses have been forgotten and that the public have been mislead imo because most think that all have been helped.

I had a response originally but completely unrelated to what was in my email and mentioning about how they have helped all businesses with their various schemes. No reply since I advised the facts were not true.

The council have come back to me and asked if our premises are accessible to the public and if we are wholly retail. Yes they are accessible but no we are not wholly retail as a lot of our work is b2b but we do also work for private individuals who visit our premises. They’ve also asked for pictures. I will reply to them but I think they are going to refuse it. We only have a small area at the front of our office that we use as a retail area.

Extremely frustrating as it turns out that we could have split our unit in the eyes of business rates for two limited companies that we run and got the grant for both. I’m going to look into this going forward though to at least try and save the £8k we are due to start paying from next week.

One of our customers who has a 10000sq ft barn but split into 5 units for his 5 companies has received £25k for each one as they have been incorrectly recorded as retail previously for the business rates. They don’t need the money at all and it just shows how ridiculous this has been handled imo.

Its unlikely that your council will accept the backdated change you suggest. The guidance specifically says its nit allowed unless the application was made before 11th march.

I do agree with your cimments about the whole thing being poorly thought out though.

Dud you try the discretionary grant?

Yes, I’m aware that nothing grant wise can be back dated.

I looked into the discretionary grant but it mentions that we would be excluded as we are in premises that pay business rates.

That must be down to your council then.

My lot have a mix & match idea which is sensible.

Hope you get something sorted