Business Advice and Support Grants

If you have any enquiries regarding business grants please contact our dedicated advisor by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Re-Opening of Hospitality from 12 April 2021

Note for successful LRSGC and ARG applicants: Automatic payments have now been made to eligible businesses:

  • LRSGC, for up to 31st March 2021
  • ARG (including ARG, ARG2 and ARG3), for up to 11th April 2021.

The grant level awarded and period it covers will be identified on your full bank statement. Further automatic payments for extended periods will be considered subject to Government guidance and you are not required to reapply.

Following the Government announcement on 22nd February 2021 of its ‘Roadmap’ to ease restrictions, the Council will apply its COVID-19 business grant eligibility criteria in reflection of the guidance outlined in the COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021. As explained in the document, timescales are subject to ongoing review based on national COVID data.

Local Restrictions Support Grant (for businesses able to stay open) LRSG(O) – Tier 2 period of 17 October to 4 November 2020

The deadline for the LRSG(O) was 31 March 2021 and we are no longer accepting applications.

Local Restrictions Support Grant (for businesses forced to close) LRSG(C) - Lockdown period of 5 November to 15 February 2021

The deadline for the LRSG(C) was 31 March 2021 and we are no longer accepting applications.

Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) for the period of 5 November to 2 December 2020

Open to applications, with updated guidance and expanded eligibility criteria. Applicants already awarded ARG for the period of 5 Nov to 2 Dec cannot re-apply.

Any personal services or taxi businesses unsuccessful with an ARG application submitted in 2020 will be reassessed against the new criteria and do not have to reapply.

As funding for this scheme is limited, the Council will be focusing on the following businesses for support with pro rata grants between £1,334 and £3,000 to cover the four-week national lockdown period:

  • Businesses required to close that are unable to trade but do not have a rateable value
    • non-essential retail businesses
    • hospitality, accommodation and leisure (including entertainment) businesses
    • events sector businesses
    • personal services
  • Businesses required to close that are able to trade by providing an alternative service instead
  • Businesses only open to those who have to travel for work purposes (and for a limited number of other exemptions which will be set out in law)
  • Businesses not required to close, but that are severely affected as a result of customer businesses being required to close including:
    • supply chain for retail, hospitality and leisure sectors
    • Now also eligible: taxi businesses with a registered trading address in NED District
  • Now also eligible: Tenant Landlords of Pub businesses who are not responsible for business rates on the premises.
  • Parish Councils which meet the scheme criteria (the precepting authority exclusion does not apply to this fund).

For more information please download our ARG Guidance (.pdf | 400kb) to check your eligibility before completing the ARG Online Application (opens in a new window. In exceptional circumstances where an applicant does not have internet access, a postal application form can be requested from NEDDC Customer Services on 01246 231111.

Please note, the Government has updated its link to the list of closed businesses on Gov.uk stated in the NEDDC ARG guidance and application forms and it now links to a different topic. Please view the downloadable list of closed businesses for 05 November to 02 December 2020 (.pdf | 200kb)

Further enquiries about the scheme can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Council reserves the right to vary the terms of the scheme at any time, and without notice, should it be necessary to do so.

The Council is also working through the ARG to establish additional business advice and online support seminars over the next year, so please continue to check this website for any forthcoming opportunities.

Local Restrictions Support Grant (for businesses able to stay open) LRSG(O)2 – Tier 3 period of 2 December to 30 December 2020

The deadline for the LRSG(O) was 31 March 2021 and we are no longer accepting applications.

ARG2: Tier 3 period of 2 December to 30 December 2020

Open to new applications with updated guidance and expanded eligibility criteria.

Applicants who have applied for an ARG grant for the period of 5 Nov to 2 Dec will automatically be considered for the Tier 3 period of 2 Dec to 30 Dec 2020 and therefore do not need to re-apply to the ARG2. If successful, grants will be paid directly to nominated accounts.

As funding for this scheme is limited, the Council will be focusing on the following businesses for support with pro rata grants between £1,334 and £3,000 for the Tier 3 period:

  • Businesses required to close that are unable to trade but do not have a rateable value
    • Hospitality and accommodation businesses
    • entertainment businesses
    • events sector businesses
  • Businesses required to close that are able to trade by providing an alternative service instead
  • Businesses only open to those who have to travel for work purposes (and for a limited number of other exemptions which will be set out in law)
  • Businesses not required to close, but that are severely affected as a result of customer businesses being required to close including:
    • supply chain for hospitality, accommodation, entertainment and events sectors
    • taxi businesses with a registered trading address in NED District
  • Tenant Landlords of Pub businesses who are not responsible for business rates on the premises.
  • Parish Councils which meet the scheme criteria (the precepting authority exclusion does not apply to this fund).

Please note that non-essential retail, personal services and leisure and sports facility businesses are ineligible as they could open in the Tier 3 period.

For more information please download our ARG2 Guidance (.pdf | 458kb) to check your eligibility before completing the ARG2 Online Application (opens in a new window). In exceptional circumstances where an applicant does not have internet access, a postal application form can be requested from NEDDC Customer Services on 01246 231111.

Further enquiries about the scheme can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Council reserves the right to vary the terms of the scheme at any time, and without notice, should it be necessary to do so.

LRSGC3:Period 16 February to 31 March 2021 (for businesses forced to close)

For funding for the period 16 February to 31 March 2021 applications must be submitted by the 31 May 2021.

This Grant has been replaced by the Restart Grant with effect from 1 April 2021

The Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) is a scheme to support businesses that have been legally required to close as a result of COVID 19 restrictions. This scheme will be administered in line with Government requirements.

Who is eligible?

Grants are available for businesses that have a Business Rates account and were legally required to be closed during the period 16th February 2021 – 31st March 2021. These include businesses in the following sectors:

  • Hospitality settings, such as bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants – they are permitted to continue sales by takeaway, click and collect, drive through or delivery services
  • Accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites and guest houses. There are exceptions, such as those who use these venues as their main home, and those requiring the venues where it is reasonably necessary for work or education and training
  • Personal Care Services
  • Gyms
  • Indoor entertainment and tourist venues

Who isn’t eligible?

  • Those businesses that have not been legally required to close
  • Businesses that are in administration, insolvent or where a striking-off notice has been made, are not eligible for funding under this scheme for the purposes of this grant
  • Businesses that have chosen to close but not been required to will not be eligible for this grant.
  • Businesses that have already received grant payments that equal the maximum levels of State aid permitted under the de-minimis and the Covid-19 Temporary State Aid Framework.

Grant amount

  • Businesses occupying premises with a rateable value of exactly £15,000 or under on the date of the commencement of the local restrictions will receive a payment of £2,096 for the 44-day qualifying restriction period.
  • Businesses occupying premises with a rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 on the date of the commencement of the local restrictions will receive a payment of £3,143 for the 44-day qualifying restriction period.
  • Businesses occupying premises with a rateable value of exactly £51,000 or above on the commencement date of the local restrictions, will receive £4,714 for the 44-day qualifying restriction period.

How do I apply?

If your business was legally obliged to close, due to COVID19 restrictions, for the period 16 February 2021 – 31 March 2021, and you have not already applied for a Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed), you can apply by submitting our application form (opens in a new window).

ARG3: Tier 4 period 31 December 2020 to 4 January 2021, and National Lockdown 5 January 2021 onwards

Open to new applications with updated guidance and expanded eligibility criteria.

Applicants who have applied for an ARG grant (for the period of 5 Nov to 2 Dec) or ARG2 grant (for the period of 02 Dec to 30 Dec) will automatically be considered for the Tier 4 period of 31 Dec to 04 Jan and National Lockdown Period of 5 Jan onwards and therefore do not need to re-apply to the ARG3. If successful, grants will be paid directly to nominated accounts.  

As funding for this scheme is limited, the Council will be focusing on the following businesses for support with pro rata grants between £667 and £1,500 per 14-day qualifying period:

  • Businesses required to close that are unable to trade but do not have a rateable value
    • non-essential retail businesses
    • hospitality, accommodation and leisure businesses
    • events sector businesses
    • personal services
  • Businesses required to close that are able to trade by providing an alternative service instead
  • Businesses only open to those who have to travel for work purposes (and for a limited number of other exemptions which will be set out in law)
  • Businesses not required to close, but that are severely affected as a result of customer businesses being required to close including:
    • supply chain for retail, hospitality and leisure (including gyms) sectors
    • taxi businesses with a registered trading address in NED District
  • Tenant Landlords of Pub businesses who are not responsible for business rates on the premises.
  • Parish Councils which meet the scheme criteria (the precepting authority exclusion does not apply to this fund).

For more information please download our ARG3 Guidance (.pdf | 459kb) to check your eligibility before completing the ARG3 Online Application (opens in a new window). In exceptional circumstances where an applicant does not have internet access, a postal application form can be requested from NEDDC Customer Services on 01246 231111.

Further enquiries about the scheme can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Council reserves the right to vary the terms of the scheme at any time, and without notice, should it be necessary to do so.

Restart Grant for Businesses that have a Business Rates assessment

On Wednesday 3 March 2021, as part of the 2021 Budget, the government announced a new Restart Grant to support businesses, which are predominantly reliant on providing in-person services to the general public, to reopen following the current coronavirus national restrictions.

The Restart Grant (RG) will be available from Thursday 1 April 2021 and will replace the Local Restrictions Support Grant.  This support will take the form of a one-off grant to be awarded in the financial year 2021-2022.

Eligibility

To qualify for this grant, your business must be within the North East Derbyshire District Council area and:

  • predominantly provide in-person services to customers within the following sectors:
    • Non-essential retail; or
    • Hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care, gym and sports businesses.
  • occupy a commercial property and registered as liable for business rates on Thursday 1 April 2021,
  • be trading on Thursday 1 April 2021, your business will still be considered trading even if it has been required to close due to government restrictions.
  • has not exceeded subsidy allowance limits (previously known as State Aid)
  • is not in administration, insolvent or has a striking-off notice issued against it.

Grant Awards

Rateable Value (on Thurs 1 April 2021) by Sector£15,000 or less£15,001 to £50,999£51,000 or above
Non-essential retail £2,667 £4,000 £6,000
Hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care, and gym and sports businesses £8,000 £12,000 £18,000

How to apply?

If your business has already received a LRSG (Closed) grant from North East Derbyshire District Council, you should have already been contacted by email, to advise you of the next steps. . 

If you have not received previous LRSG (Closed) funding, please complete the online application form

Application closing date: Wednesday 30 June 2021.

Pre-payment checks

The local authority is required to undertake a number of pre-payment checks.

This is a stricter position than that taken for previous COVID-19 business support grant schemes.

The Government will not accept deliberate manipulation and fraud. Any business caught falsifying their records to gain additional grant money will face prosecution and any funding issued will be recovered, as may any grants paid in error.

These checks include:

Using the Government tool ‘spotlight’ tool which will flag where organisations have recently become inactive.

Using a counter fraud bank account checker in partnership with the National Fraud Initiative. This tool will enable Local Authorities to: 

  • Verify the bank accounts of companies in receipt of these business grants; and 
  • Provide insight into whether the company was trading at the relevant date for these grants

Subsidy allowance (previously State –Aid)

A new domestic subsidy allowance for COVID-19 business support grants took effect on Thursday 4 March 2021, based on the principles set out in Article 3.4 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. 

The new scheme is covered by three subsidy allowances:

  • Small Amounts of Financial Assistance Allowance– up to 325,000 special drawing rights over any period of three years (subject to exchange rates on the day the subsidy is awarded). For example this equated to £335,000 as at Tuesday 2 March 2021.
  • COVID-19 Business Grant Allowance– up to £1,600,000 and can be combined with the Small Amounts of Financial Assistance Allowance to equal to £1,935,000 (subject to the exact amount applicable under the Small Amounts of Financial Assistance Allowance)
  • COVID-19 Business Grant Special Allowance- if you have reached your limits under the Small Amounts of Financial Assistance Allowance and COVID-19 Business Grant Allowance, you may be able to access a further allowance of funding under these scheme rules of up to £9,000,000, provided certain conditions are met.

Grants under these three schemes may be combined for a potential total allowance of £10,935,000 (taking into account all grants previously received under the COVID-19 business grants schemes and subject to the exact amount applicable under the Small Amounts of Financial Assistance Allowance using the Special Drawing Right calculator).

If you have any doubt as to your position you must seek appropriate advice before applying as the responsibility lies with the business. You may be required to provide relevant evidence and declare you are within these allowances as part of the Restart Grant application process.

Tax implications

Grant income received by a business is taxable. The Restart Grant will need to be included as income in the tax return of the business.

Only businesses that make an overall profit once grant income is included will be subject to tax.

Data sharing

We may share or match information provided with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds, or where undertaking a public function to prevent and detect fraud.

We are also working closely with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Your data will be shared with them.

One-off top up grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses

This scheme has now closed.

Make your workplace COVID secure

Guidance to help employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic has been published on the government's website (external link).

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue service have put together some information to help businesses with fire safety checks when retiring and re-opening their premises. Please view the fire safety information booklet (.pdf | 395kb).

Useful links for businesses

Useful Links

You can find the latest information about Coronavirus (COVID-19), and get advice on symptoms, self-isolation and keeping yourself and your family healthy, at the following websites: