Blackpool businesses can now get support grants for staying open in Tier 3

Businesses in Blackpool are now being paid out on under one set of coronavirus restrictions and the council is asking firms to apply for another stream of financial aid.
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Blackpool Council has begun giving out grants relating to the Covid-19 restrictions and is inviting further applications for financial support from businesses that remained open during local Tier 3 restrictions.

The latest LCAL3 (Open) Local Restriction Support Grant is designed to support businesses from the leisure, hospitality and accommodation sectors that stayed open throughout Tier 3 (from 17 October 2020 until the national lockdown was imposed on 5 November 2020) but suffered a significant fall in income as a result of a downturn in trade.

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The Council will also receive a limited amount of discretionary funding and is currently designing a scheme that will attempt to support businesses in the leisure and hospitality sector to help them survive the coming difficult winter months.

Blackpool Council is paying out coronavirus grants to businesses in the townBlackpool Council is paying out coronavirus grants to businesses in the town
Blackpool Council is paying out coronavirus grants to businesses in the town

This relatively small fund, comprising Tier 2 discretionary funding and the Additional Restrictions Grant, represents a fraction of what was allocated to businesses earlier in the year and will be earmarked for those for whom it will have the most impact.

The LCAL 3 (open) application process is now live. Businesses may be eligible if:

They occupy property on which business rates are paid, and if they have been severely impacted by the localised restrictions on socialising put in place to manage COVID-19

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Owners of eligible businesses are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to allow assessment, processing and payment of grants.

Coun Lynne WiliamsCoun Lynne Wiliams
Coun Lynne Wiliams

Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “The harsh reality is that the level of financial support we have been given by Government is insufficient and entirely disproportionate given the scale of the impact on our tourism and hospitality businesses and associated supply chains over the last two months.

“The Government has also suggested a whole raft of businesses including those in the supply chain and events industry that could be eligible under any discretionary scheme. This brings thousands of businesses into scope and it will be a challenge to ensure that those most in need are assisted in this way.

“We know this is a frustrating time for many business owners but our key objective is to help as many businesses as possible to get through these winter months.

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“Our business support department is doing everything in its power to assist, whether that be through the provision of grants or the offering of general advice and guidance."

Additional COVID-19 support grants currently available include:

National lockdown financial support – for business who have been forced to close for 28 days from November 5

LCAL3 (Closed) Local Restriction Support Grant – for business who were forced to close on October 17 until the national lockdown was imposed on November 5

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Sector financial support – for business that have been unable to re-open since the lockdown on 23 March 2020.

Blackpool Council is contacting these businesses directly. It also has a helpdesk to offer advice on the aid.

Links to eligibility details a can be found at www.blackpool.gov.uk/LRSG

Blackpool Gazette:

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