Folkestone & Hythe District Government COVID Business Grant Update

Local authorities have been administering the Local Restrictions Support Grants (LRSG) and the Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG) schemes on behalf of government since last November. Through the LRSG scheme mandatory grants have been awarded to eligible businesses in the district which are in the business rates system, while other businesses impacted by the pandemic have been catered for through the Folkestone & Hythe ARG discretionary scheme.

In the 2021/22 financial year the LSRG is being replaced by a new one-off Restart (RGS) grant payment and the council has been allocated an additional £675,239 as a top up for the ARG. Below I have summarised how these two different schemes will operate moving forward

Restart Grant

A Restart Grant will be paid to businesses in the business rates system which are in the non-essential retail, hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym sectors. Two grant levels will be available - those in non-essential retail will receive grants of £2,667, £4,000 and £6,000 depending on the rateable value of premises and those in the hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym sector will receive higher levels of grant at £8,000, £12,000 and £18,000 again depending on the rateable value of premises.

The Restart Grant scheme in Folkestone & Hythe is being administered by the Business Rates Team (business.rates@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk; tel 01303 853223).

Any business that has been paid LRSG previously and is eligible for a Restart Grant will be paid this automatically within the next two weeks.

For any Folkestone and Hythe district businesses that have not previously received an LRSG but believes they may be eligible, please use this link to submit an application.

Additional Restrictions Grant

All previously approved ARG applicants will receive a further additional single grant payment. A specific email will be sent to those businesses that are due to receive this grant which will outline the level of grant due which will be paid within the next two weeks. This grant will be automatically be paid, although recipients will be required to notify the council if there has been any change in circumstances which affect eligibility.

Due to the success of the council in distributing the ARG funds to date and the level of additional funds made available for the 2021/22 financial year, this scheme will not be reopened to new applications. However, if your business is facing particular hardship then support could be considered on a case by case basis.