Coronavirus Grants

[Prolex-UK]

dickbdly said:

Hi all
Help needed.
I am trying to apply for lock-down Business Rates Grant in Wales.
Has anyone any idea what they are after with this question?

Please confirm how your businesses or organisation without the grant support the viability of the enterprise will be under threat, and outline why.

Maybe i am being a bit thick but not sure how to answer that one??

Please confirm how your businesses or organisation without the grant support the viability of the enterprise will be under threat, and outline why.

is that exactly what they say ^^^^^ ?

if it is they want you to say what will happen if you do not get the grant on offer

things like XX jobs will be under threat, may be business which has been running for xx years will fail links to community etc

[dickbastardly]

Thanks Prolex
Yes that was exactly what they said (Copied and pasted)

[Dick Dastardly]

dickbdly said:

Thanks Prolex
Yes that was exactly what they said (Copied and pasted)

Hello fellow wacky races fan,

I’m not surprised the question was worded in that way, the Business Wales website and the application forms seem to have been created by the cast of Muppet Babies.

The key thing with any welsh funding is jobs. If any staff are at risk then mention that and how this funding will help keep them employed. If you were thinking of recruiting but the lockdown puts those plans on pause then mention that the grant will help you employ extra people sooner.

For bonus points, if any of these people are under 25, then mention that. One of their KPIs is to get more young people into jobs.

[singlecoil]

dickbdly said:

Thanks Prolex
Yes that was exactly what they said (Copied and pasted)

I expect it was translated from the Welsh by Google.

[dickbastardly]

Thanks all.
Application made....we will wait and see if we get any support.

[Prolex-UK]

dickbdly said:

Thanks all.
Application made....we will wait and see if we get any support.

Good luck

[RM]

Dick Dastardly said:

I’m not surprised the question was worded in that way, the Business Wales website and the application forms seem to have been created by the cast of Muppet Babies.

It's incredible, isn't it?

The guidance notes, produced for the Business Wales website, state:

BusinessWales said:

Businesses need to confirm that without the grant support the viability of the enterprise will be under threat, and outline why.

Our council, has this statement, that you have to agree with to make any application, even for the base £1,000 that Mark Drakeford would be given to all businesses occupying a property and eligible for Small Business Rates Relief:

Vale of Glamorgan Council said:

I confirm that without the grant the viability of my business will be under threat as a result of the national lockdown in Wales.

So we have to state that without the £1K my business isn't viable?? Any business that depends on a single £1K payment for viability shouldn't be trading, surely?

[Chrocco]

Prolex-UK said:

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

After no replies on email from the rating department at the council I assumed that nothing was going to happen as it had been a few months without contact back and still can’t seem to reach them by phone. Today I received a revised business rates bill (dated 30th October) with the discretionary retail grant applied and a credit for the rates that we have paid so far this year. It also had a form to complete with our bank details so that this can be refunded. I understand that the grant scheme finished in September? I’d be pretty annoyed if they have now decided to give us the relief but no way of getting the grant however getting a refund of what we have paid so far and no further rates until April will obviously be appreciated.

Edited by Chrocco on Tuesday 3rd November 23:57

[Prolex-UK]

Latest grant details here

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-r...

In brief

Tier 2/3 payable up to 5/11 every 4 weeks - based on valuation officer description of property paid on a discretionary basis - businesses with no rates liability can apply

national grant payable 5/11 to 2/12 based on RV - only rated properties can apply NO rv restriction (amounts in the circulars)

ARG grant which is £20 per head of population in the LA (mid 2019 figures) will be paid to help all business types for this fin year and the next 2 fin years (one off payment) All discretionary

if the lockdown is lifted the LA reverts to Tier 2/3 scheme if still under that regime

[bigtime]

Thanks Prolex, am I correct in thinking only:

18.Eligible businesses are:
a. Nightclubs, dance halls, and discotheques
b. Sexual entertainment venues and hostess bars

Edited by bigtime on Thursday 5th November 10:42

[Prolex-UK]

bigtime said:

Thanks Prolex, am I correct in thinking only:

18.Eligible businesses are:
a. Nightclubs, dance halls, and discotheques
b. Sexual entertainment venues and hostess bars

Edited by bigtime on Thursday 5th November 10:42

THEY ARE oops in a category of there own.
have to be ratepayers and get paid every 14 days

I am looking for some on my LA's database later today

[Burwood]

Prolex-UK said:

bigtime said:

Thanks Prolex, am I correct in thinking only:

18.Eligible businesses are:
a. Nightclubs, dance halls, and discotheques
b. Sexual entertainment venues and hostess bars

Edited by bigtime on Thursday 5th November 10:42

THEY ARE oops in a category of there own.
have to be ratepayers and get paid every 14 days

I am looking for some on my LA's database later today

Category 'B' at ARG grant which is £20 per head. It's like the 60's all over again

[Prolex-UK]

Official list of businesses to close or stay open

SCHEDULE
Businesses subject to restrictions or closure, or permitted to remain open
PART 1
Hospitality businesses
1. Restaurants, including restaurants and dining rooms in hotels or members’ clubs.

2.—(1) Cafes, including workplace canteens (subject to sub-paragraph (2)), but not including—

(a)cafes or canteens at a hospital, care home or school, or provider of post-16 education or training (as defined in paragraph 1(8) of Schedule 17 to the Coronavirus Act 2020(1));
(b)canteens at criminal justice accommodation or an establishment intended for use for naval, military or air force purposes or for the purposes of the Department of the Secretary of State responsible for defence;
(c)services providing food and drink or either to the homeless.
(2) Workplace canteens may remain open where there is no practical alternative for staff at that workplace to obtain food.

3. Bars, including bars in hotels or members’ clubs.

4. Social clubs.

5. Public houses.

PART 2
Other businesses
6. Cinemas.

7. Theatres.

8. Nightclubs, dance halls, discotheques and any other venue which—

(a)opens at night,
(b)has a dance floor or other space for dancing by members of the public (and for these purposes members of the venue in question are to be considered members of the public), and
(c)provides music, whether live or recorded, for dancing.
9. Bingo halls.

10. Concert halls.

11. Museums and galleries.

12. Casinos.

13. Betting shops and adult gaming centres.

14. Spas.

15. Nail, beauty salons, hair salons and barbers.

16. Tanning salons.

17. Massage parlours.

18. Sexual entertainment venues, within the meaning given in paragraph 2A of Schedule 3 to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982(2) (“the 1982 Act”).

19. Hostess bars, within the meaning given by paragraph 3B of Schedule 3 to the 1982 Act(3).

20. Tattoo and piercing parlours.

21. Skating rinks.

22. The following indoor facilities: dance studios, fitness studios, gyms, sports courts, swimming pools, bowling alleys, amusement arcades, playgrounds or soft play areas or other indoor leisure centres or facilities, including indoor games, recreation and entertainment venues.

23. Circuses, funfairs and fairgrounds (whether outdoors or indoors), theme parks and adventure parks and activities.

24. Outdoor sports centres or amenities, including water sports, stables, shooting and archery venues, golf courses, driving ranges, outdoor gyms, outdoor swimming pools, water parks and aquaparks.

25. Outdoor markets (except for livestock markets, stalls selling food and any other retailer listed in Part 3).

26. Showrooms and other premises, including outdoor areas, used for the sale or hire of caravans, boats or any vehicle which can be propelled by mechanical means, and car washes.

27. Auction houses (except for auctions of livestock or agricultural equipment).

28. Model villages.

29. Visitor attractions at film studios.

30. Aquariums, zoos, safari parks, farms, wildlife centres and any place where animals are exhibited to the public as an attraction.

31.—(1) Indoor attractions at visitor attractions such as—

(a)botanical or other gardens, biomes or greenhouses;
(b)stately or historic homes, castles or other heritage sites;
(c)landmarks, including observation wheels or viewing platforms;
(d)sculpture parks.
(2) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1), an “indoor attraction” means those parts of a venue, including visitor centres but not including toilets for visitors, which—

(a)would be considered to be enclosed or substantially enclosed for the purposes of section 2 of the Health Act 2006 under the Smoke-free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2006; and
(b)are, in normal times, open for members of the public to visit for the purposes of recreation, whether or not for payment.
32.—(1) Conference centres and exhibition halls, so far as they are used to host conferences, exhibitions, trade shows, private dining events or banquets, other than conferences or events which are attended only by employees of the person who owns or is responsible for running the conference centre or exhibition hall.

(2) For the purposes of this paragraph, a “trade show” is an event held to bring together members of a particular industry to display, demonstrate and discuss their latest products and services with members of the public.

PART 3
Businesses permitted to remain open
33. Food retailers, including food markets, supermarkets, convenience stores and corner shops.

34. Off licenses and licensed shops selling alcohol (including breweries).

35. Pharmacies (including non-dispensing pharmacies) and chemists.

36. Newsagents.

37. Hardware stores.

38. Building merchants, and building services.

39. Petrol stations.

40. Car repair and MOT services.

41. Bicycle shops.

42. Taxi or vehicle hire businesses.

43. The following businesses—

(a)banks;
(b)building societies;
(c)credit unions;
(d)short term loan providers;
(e)savings clubs;
(f)cash points;
(g)undertakings which by way of business operate currency exchange offices, transmit money (or any representation of money) by any means or cash cheques which are made payable to customers.
44. Post offices.

45. Funeral directors.

46. Laundrettes and dry cleaners.

47. Dental services, opticians, audiology services, chiropody, chiropractors, osteopaths and other medical or health services, including services relating to mental health.

48. Veterinary surgeons and pet shops.

49. Agricultural supplies shop.

50. Storage and distribution facilities, including delivery drop off or collection points, where the facilities are in the premises of a business included in this Part.

51. Car parks.

52. Public toilets.

53. Garden centres.

[singlecoil]

They must have known there would be businesses not covered in either list.

[Prolex-UK]

singlecoil said:

They must have known there would be businesses not covered in either list.

There is a ARG grant for this

£20 per head of population

[bigtime]

We have a shop that sells weddings/party stuff with a rateable value of under £15k so pay no rates. We got the 10k earlier in the year but what does mean for us with the new grants? We were hoping for the £1334 per month.

[Prolex-UK]

bigtime said:

We have a shop that sells weddings/party stuff with a rateable value of under £15k so pay no rates. We got the 10k earlier in the year but what does mean for us with the new grants? We were hoping for the £1334 per month.

I would say yes.

Caveat is that the VO has you down as shop & premises. If thats the case you should get the award.

If,as sometimes happens,the VO has you as something else that the Govt did not select from the 100's of VO descriptions then you may need to contact the LA.

Most are doing what I am doing and looking at the account holders details as well as vo description and saying YES to a grant.

We have also been encouraged to contact businesses directly to establish the precise activity they carry out.

Would not hurt to email them asking them if you will be getting a grant as if they say now you can start to challenge that...

Edited by Prolex-UK on Friday 6th November 13:52

[Prolex-UK]

1. Businesses permitted to remain open
Essential businesses
The following businesses and venues that provide goods for sale or hire are permitted to remain open, including if they operate from an outdoor market stall, or at a defined concession within a shopping centre:

Food retailers, including food markets, supermarkets, convenience stores and corner shops. This also includes fresh food retailers (such as butchers, bakers, greengrocers, fishmongers, and delicatessens)
Off licenses and licensed shops selling alcohol
Pharmacies (including non-dispensing pharmacies) and chemists
Newsagents
Hardware (such as tools, builders’ hardware, paint and glass) stores, building merchants and building services
Petrol stations, car repair shops, bicycle shops and MOT services. Other vehicle repair can also go ahead at these venues.
Car parks and motorway service areas
Taxi or vehicle hire businesses
Banks, building societies, credit unions, short term loan providers, savings clubs, cash points and undertakings which by way of business operate currency exchange offices, transmit money (or any representation of money) by any means or cash cheques which are made payable to customers
Post offices
Funeral directors
Laundrettes and dry cleaners
Dental services, opticians, audiology services, chiropody, chiropractors, osteopaths and other medical or health services, including services relating to mental health
Veterinary surgeons, animal rescue centres, boarding facilities and pet shops. Animal grooming facilities may also stay open but must only be used for the purposes of the animal’s welfare (and not for aesthetic purposes).
Garden centres and agricultural supplies shops. This does not include florists.
Storage and distribution facilities, including delivery drop off or collection points, where the facilities are in the premises of a business allowed to remain open. For example, you can return an order to a drop box in a supermarket or drop it off for collection in a newsagents. Deliveries of supplies can also go ahead for premises that are otherwise required to close by law.
Businesses that provide services (rather than goods) - such as accountants, solicitors, and estate agents - are not required to close, unless listed in section 2 below (Businesses subject to restrictions). These businesses should take steps to ensure they are COVID-19 Secure including, where possible, providing services remotely or virtually.

[singlecoil]

Prolex-UK said:

singlecoil said:

They must have known there would be businesses not covered in either list.

There is a ARG grant for this

£20 per head of population

I was referring to the fact that there's a list of businesses that have to close, and a list that can stay open. What's the purpose of the second list if some businesses feature in neither. If the presumption is that businesses that are not listed can stay open then why have the second list?

[Prolex-UK]

singlecoil said:

Prolex-UK said:

singlecoil said:

They must have known there would be businesses not covered in either list.

There is a ARG grant for this

£20 per head of population

I was referring to the fact that there's a list of businesses that have to close, and a list that can stay open. What's the purpose of the second list if some businesses feature in neither. If the presumption is that businesses that are not listed can stay open then why have the second list?

I agree with you.

Its a mess but we have to work with what we have.

The Govt like to make it complicated.

I can't see why HMRC could not have dealt with this as the know what type of business is being carried out at all legitimate businesses...