Local businesses affected by Covid-19 can now apply for the Covid Additional Relief Fund (CARF), which will be distributed by Colchester Borough Council as part of the Government’s response to coronavirus.
On 15 December, the Government announced details for the new Covid Additional Relief Fund, providing support for business rate payers affected by the pandemic but have not been eligible for existing support linked to business rates.
Colchester’s Covid Additional Relief Fund scheme will distribute £3.9 million to local businesses. The scheme seeks to support businesses who have been unable to access the Extended Retail Discount (covering Retail, Hospitality and Leisure) and the Nursery Discount or the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS).
Grants will be worth up to 100% in Business Rate relief for 2021/22 and will be available to businesses which meet the eligibility criteria.
Businesses will need to apply for the Covid Additional Relief Fund by 31 January 2022 by completing an application form colchester.gov.uk/winter-support/businesses
Cllr Darius Laws, Colchester Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Economy, Business and Heritage, said: “It’s great news that the council now has this new business rate relief fund to help even more businesses through the current health and economic crisis.
“This Covid Additional Relief Fund will be vital help for businesses that have been ineligible for any of the Government business support funding to date. We will swiftly distribute this relief fund, as we have done with all the other business grant and relief funding we’ve had so far. We know how important this support is to businesses across the borough.
“I encourage businesses to read the eligibility criteria and apply before 31 January.”
Further Covid-19 support for businesses was announced on 21 December, when the Government made additional Business Grant funding available for those who supply the hospitality and leisure sectors, due to the impact of the Omicron variant.
Colchester’s Covid Business Grant fund will distribute one-off grants of up to £6000 per premises to businesses which meet the eligibility criteria. Further information along with an application form will be available on the council’s website shortly. The Government will also cover the cost of Statutory Sick Pay for Covid related absences and further funding is available through the Culture recovery fund.
Page last reviewed: 6 January 2022