Support for Business
Need to speak to a business advisor?
Business Lincolnshire’s Growth Hub Advisors are available to Rutland businesses who want to talk to someone about what support is available for their business and their employees.
T: 01522 782189.
Business FAQs
The government has announced a wide range of measures to help businesses and employers affected by coronavirus, including people who are self employed.
Rutland County Council is committed to act as swiftly as possible in getting this support out to our local businesses.
HM Treasury Guidance
Guidance from HM Treasury on how to access government financial support if you or your business has been affected by COVID-19.
Business rates
We have already mailed business rates bills for 2020/21.
At the same time and in response to the potential impact on businesses caused by COVID-19/Coronavirus, the Government announced new measures in the Budget to support business. This was followed by additional measures announced on Tuesday 17 March.
Measures announced so far include:
Businesses in the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors will pay no business rates in 2020-21. In the Budget, the only businesses in these sectors exempt from business rates were those with rateable values of less than £51,000. The “business rates holiday” will now be extended to all businesses in these sectors regardless of rateable value.
The first instalments for business rates are due on the 1 April 2020.
If you think your business may be entitled to one of the discounts or reliefs detailed above, we advise the following:
- If you have a direct debit/standing order set up that and you believe that you will not have to pay rates at all or at that amount, then you may wish to cancel it at your bank.
- If you pay by other means, then you may wish to ignore your current bill and wait for a revised bill to be issued.
Additional grants and support
Grants of £25k for businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with rateable values of between £15k less than £51k. In addition to not paying any business rates in 2020-21 businesses in these sectors will receive a grant.
Grant for ALL businesses in receipt of Small Business Rates Relief or rural rate relief. Regardless of sector, will be eligible for a cash payment of £10,000 (an increase on the £3,000 announced in the Budget last week). The Government released guidance to the Council regarding the processing of these grants on the 24th March.
All eligible businesses will be asked to confirm bank details using a short online form. Details to be given shortly. The onus is on us to award the grants, not on you to apply for them
All eligible businesses will be asked to confirm bank details using a short online form. Details to be given shortly. The onus is on us to award the grants, not on you to apply for them
Government backed loans for any business which needs access to cash to pay their rent, the salaries, suppliers, or purchase stock. The new Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme for small and medium sized businesses will now provide loans of up to £5 million, with no interest due for the first six months.
To find out how to access these loans, go to www.british-business-bank.co.uk
For more details about each element, please visit www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support
If you have any questions about any of the above, then please email localtaxation@rutland.gov.uk. Please do not call, as we don’t have any more details yet.
Support for businesses paying tax
All businesses and self-employed people in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC’s Time To Pay service. These arrangements are agreed on a case-by-case basis and are tailored to individual circumstances and liabilities.
If you are a business or self-employed and concerned about being able to pay your tax due to COVID-19, call HMRC’s dedicated helpline on 0800 0159 559.
Or go to www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/
Or go to www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/
Support for Rutland County Council business tenants
Some local businesses are tenants of Rutland County Council. We will give all tenants the option of deferring rent due for the first quarter of 20/21 until the end of June.
This should allow tenants time to assess the impact on their business and to take action to ensure their business is sustainable without worrying about paying their rent in the short term. At the end of June, we will discuss with tenants how they may wish to proceed.
Tenants wishing to take up the option of deferring their rent should contact: debtors@rutland.gov.uk.
Businesses helping businesses
We have a Facebook page, where local businesses can find free support on offer to other local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you’re able to offer any free support to other businesses, tag @rutlandbusiness in a Facebook post with information about the support you're offering, and we will share it.
Looking for support with your council tax?
See our support for families page for information about council tax relief and support for anyone in financial hardship.
