As a result of the second national lockdown, the UK Government has provided Warwick District Council with the funding to be able to provide support local businesses in Kenilworth.

The council began making payments on the grants last week to those companies that have been told to close.

Businesses will need to apply to Warwick District Council via a simple application form - which can be accessed by following this link.

The information needed in the form will include the following as well as bank details:

a. Business Rate Payer name

b. Address of the business premises

c. Rate Payer email address

d. Number of employees

e. Sector

f. Unique identifier (Companies House Number)

Businesses that are eligible under the Local Restrictions Support Grants (LRSG) scheme will be those that have been told to close by Government during the current lockdown period and include non-essential retail, leisure, personal care, sports facilities and hospitality businesses (even if the latter are still open for takeaway).

The value of grants payable under that LRSG scheme are linked to the Ratable Value (RV) for occupied properties and are summarised below –

RV - £15,000 and below = £1334 per 28-day qualifying restriction period.

RV – above £15,000 and below £51,000 = £2000 per 28-day qualifying restriction period.

RV – £51,000 and above = £3000 per 28-day qualifying restriction period.

In addition, payments are available for other businesses which do not qualify for the scheme above, through an Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG). The application form to apply for ARG is also available on the district council's website.

The aim of this grant is to provide appropriate support for both the financial years 2020/21 and 2021/22.

Warwick District Council's Portfolio Holder for Finance and Business, Councillor Richard Hales said "In the wake of this second national lockdown, I am pleased that this Council is enabling eligible local businesses to access the financial support they need as quickly as possible.

"Once again I would like to extend my thanks to our Finance team, who have worked tirelessly to put the necessary processes in place."