Dudley Council is urging businesses who cannot trade because of the current government restrictions to come forward to see if they are eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grant.

Eligibility is set by the government and depends on the rateable value of the business premises. The financial help aims to support businesses through the latest lockdown period.

Grants are awarded to the ratepayer for the four week lockdown period.  Premises with a rateable value of £15,000 or less can receive up to £1,334 while those with a rateable value of over £15,000 but less than £51,000 can receive £2,000. Finally, businesses with a rateable value of £51,000 or over are eligible for £3,000.

Grants are available to a range of businesses that cannot trade because of lockdown including non-essential retail, hospitality venues, accommodation such as hotels, leisure and sports facilities, entertainment businesses, hair and beauty venues, community centres and place of worship. Full details can be found on the council’s website.

But grants are not available to businesses that can continue to trade or have chosen to close but have not been instructed to. Those businesses which are in administration, insolvent or subject to a striking-off notice are also not eligible for the grants.

Councillor Steve Clark, cabinet member for finance, said:

"This is the latest financial support we are pleased to be able to deliver, which I am sure will come as welcome news to businesses which have been forced to temporarily close during the second national lockdown.

"So far this year we have been able to help thousands of businesses access millions of pounds worth of financial help. We will continue to do all we can to help businesses in the borough during these unprecedented difficulties."

So far this year the council has given more than £100million of financial help to more than 5,000 businesses through a range of government grants.

When applying for the latest round of business grants people will need proof of ID, evidence of business trading up to November 4, documents to show banking details and proof of occupying business premises. Full details can be found on the council’s website.

To apply people can visit www.dudleybusinessfirst.org.uk/coronavirus-business-guidance/financial-help-for-businesses/local-restrictions-support-grant