£5bn Restart Grant for England’s COVID-hit Firms Now Open

Businesses in England that were mandated to close or restrict their trading during the recent coronavirus lockdown can now access new grants to help them recommence activity as restrictions begin to ease.

Those in the non-essential retail sector will be eligible for one-off grants of up to £6,000, while businesses in the hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym sectors, which are reopening later, will be eligible for one-off grants of up to £18,000. The £5 billion of government funding available through the Restart Grant Scheme will be delivered by local authorities.

This is coupled with £425 million of top-up funding for the ongoing Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) scheme for councils to distribute to businesses in particularly urgent need of additional support. Allocations from the latest ARG top-up will be provided to local authorities if existing funds have been spent by 30 June 2021.

Businesses wishing to access Restart Grants should approach their local council.

Small Business Minister Paul Scully said:

‘Government grants have been critical in relieving cash flow pressures and enabling businesses to plan ahead, and I am urging councils to deliver these vital funds to where they are needed as soon as possible.’