Kingston Council launches £2m Business Restrictions Hardship Grant

Cllr John Sweeney, Portfolio Holder for Business at Kingston Council, said:

“The new grant will initially focus on more of the businesses that have been severely impacted by the restrictions, especially those that have not qualified for previous grants. We can't help every business that we would like to, unfortunately, and we must prioritise those in sectors most severely impacted. If there is funding still available we will then be able to provide support to other affected businesses, including those that are home-based, market traders and those in shared work spaces.  

 

“These grants will form part of a larger, interconnected programme of business and economic support we are offering over the next 15 months, including support for businesses to adapt to digital trading, innovate and grow; boosting the growth of the green economy in the borough; supporting business-led activity to boost local high streets; and exploring opportunities to support industrial estates.”

The new Business Restrictions Hardship Grant will be available from early/mid January and is aimed at smaller independent businesses (with fewer than 50 employees) that do not pay business rates and meet one of the following categories: 

• Businesses that were closed during the national lockdown but did not qualify for the ‘National Lockdown Grant’ 

• Businesses in the hospitality and leisure sector (not paying business rates)

• Hospitality and leisure ‘supply chain’ businesses - those that are reliant on those in the hospitality and retail sector for a substantial part of their business, (such as event firms, catering, marketing, transport services, wholesalers, wedding services, security services)

• And cultural and arts businesses with a trading turnover of at least £10,000 per year  (whether they pay business rates or not).

Grants will range from £1,500 to £5,000 depending on the size of the business.

As London has been placed in Tier 4 on 20 December, we're awaiting government confirmation of the support that would be made available to businesses but anticipate that this will be in line with the level of support for businesses required to close during the previous lockdown period.

All information will be posted on our website.

The funds for the programme are drawn from the Additional Restrictions Grant allocated to the Kingston Council from Government. This funding is intended to provide grants and support businesses in other ways. Kingston’s funding will be distributed mainly through grants to businesses, addressing hardship, but also supporting businesses towards recovery, through innovation and adaptation of their delivery approaches, and a focus on the green economy.

You can iew Cllr Sweeney's video explaining more about the grant here.