More than 1600 businesses across Bath and North East Somerset that received Government support grants during November's national lockdown are being invited to renew their applications and claim thousands of pounds in in additional support.

Hundreds of local businesses have been forced to close as a result of the current national lockdown and Bath & North East Somerset Council has emailed all those that previously received a Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) Addendum, to let them know them know that they can now apply for more financial support.

Those who received discretionary grants in the last lockdown are also being invited to renew their applications.

Councillor Richard Samuel, deputy leader and cabinet member for Resources, said: "It's really important that we help businesses weather this third lockdown by processing applications for financial support quickly. If the information you are providing hasn't changed, simply renewing your application rather than submitting a new one will help us speed up the process of getting your grant to you. If you have not applied for a grant before and you think you may be eligible, please apply as soon as possible. If you would like some help and advice with your application, then contact Our Invest in Bath team."

Businesses should only make a new application if they have not previously applied for the grant. New applications can be made online from 4pm today (Friday 22 January) HERE: the B&NES site

The LRSG (Closed) Addendum payment is designed to support businesses which were open as usual and providing services to customers in person from their premises, but then required to close as a result of the lockdown imposed on 5 January.

The grant is for businesses in the following sectors that pay business rates on their premises:

-Non-essential retail

-Indoor and outdoor leisure facilities

-Entertainment venues

-Personal care services

-Hospitality venues, such as restaurants, bars and pubs

-Hotels, hostels and B&Bs

Qualifying businesses will receive an LRSG(C)A payment together with a Closed Business Lockdown Payment for each property liable for business rates from the period 5 January 2021 to 15 February 2021:

-Properties with a rateable value of £15,000 or under will receive £2,001 LRSG(C)A and £4,000 Closed Business Lockdown Payment

-Properties with a rateable value of between £15,001 and £50,999 will receive £3,000 LRSG(C)A and £6,000 Closed Business Lockdown Payment

-Properties will a rateable value of £51,000 or over will receive £4,500 LRSG(C)A and £9,000 Closed Business Lockdown Payment

Discretionary grants are also available for businesses that are open but have been severely impacted by the restrictions. Businesses that are mandated to close but are not registered for Business Rates may also be eligible.

One of the following must also apply:

-You are not a business rate payer of the premises you trade from, or occupy, and are required to close (this includes businesses registered for Council Tax);

-Your business is not required to close and has closed due to a significant impact on trading (this applies to both business registered for business rates and those not registered) ;

-Your business is continuing to operate, but with significantly reduced demand due to social distancing rules (this applies to both business registered for business rates and those not registered).

-The amount of discretionary grant awarded will depend on the size of the workforce or the rateable value of the premises.

For more information on the LRSG(C)A grants and eligibility criteria, visit the Government webpage https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support

Visit www.investinbath.co.uk to find out about the range of support and advice available to local businesses.

Find all council services updates at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/coronavirus