Government ‘Restart Grants’ scheme will help businesses reopen in Chichester District

A new Government grant is being launched in the Chichester District to support businesses as they get ready to reopen their doors following the national lockdown.

The Restart Grant scheme, which will open for applications on 6 April 2021, aims to help district businesses in the non-essential retail, hospitality, leisure, personal care and accommodation sectors to reopen safely as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

“This scheme offers a one-off grant of up to £6,000 for non-essential retail premises, and another of up to £18,000 for non-essential hospitality, leisure, personal care and gym premises,” explains Louise Rudziak, Director for Housing and Communities at Chichester District Council. “The amount of grant funding awarded is based on the rateable value and the type of business applying.

“If you own a business in the non-essential retail, hospitality,leisure, personal care and accommodation sectors,I would urge you to visit our website at www.chichester.gov.uk/businessratesannouncements to see whether you are eligible to apply for one of these grants.

“The scheme will be open to applications from 6 April until 30 June 2021, and our teams will be working incredibly hard to process the applications and issue grants as quickly as they can.”

Separate to the coronavirus business support on offer, Chichester District Council is launching an Enabling Grants scheme on 12 April, which aims to help small enterprises across the district to grow and develop. There are three types of grant – one is for capital projects; another is for website and social media projects; and the third is for start-up businesses. Any businesses interested in finding out more about this scheme can read the guidance notes in advance at: www.chichester.gov.uk/enablinggrantscheme

Businesses are urged to sign up to the council’s eBiz newsletter at www.chichester.gov.uk/businesssupportandadvice to receive updates on the support that is available to them, and notifications when support schemes open for applications.

Notice Date: 01/04/2021