Businesses across Leicester that were not previously eligible for COVID-19 business rates relief may now be eligible for new support if they were adversely affected by the pandemic.
Leicester City Council has received £8.7m from the Government to administer the COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund. This funding will be used to support a percentage reduction on 2021/22 business rate bills, with higher reductions for the worst affected businesses.
Businesses that are eligible are those that:
- have not had their 2021/22 rates bills reduced due to the Extended Retail Discount (covering retail, hospitality and leisure sectors) or the Nursery Discount;
- are the direct ratepayer and have occupied the property for business rates purposes, and having an amount to pay during the 2021/22 financial year; and
- have been adversely affected by the pandemic and have been unable to adequately adapt to the impact.
Examples of businesses that may be eligible include those within the manufacturing, wholesale and supply chain sectors.
Businesses will be classed as having experienced a low, medium or high impact and relief will be awarded accordingly. The actual percentage reductions to 2021/22 rates bills will depend upon how many businesses apply and how severely they were affected.
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said “We know many local businesses have struggled through the pandemic and not all have been able to receive reductions to their business rates bills. We would encourage those businesses to check if they are eligible for this new scheme and, if so, to make sure they claim the new support they are now entitled to.”
Businesses must apply online. Applications are now open and will close on Sunday 1 May.
