Coronavirus
Coronavirus guidance for businesses
The Government have outlined an extensive package available to support businesses affected by Covid-19
Grants and funding schemes
A letter or email has been issued to all businesses who pay business rates and qualify for the grants with instructions on what to do to receive the grant. Any business that believes they qualify and has not yet received any correspondence, please complete this form
Business Rates Relief
All local businesses in the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors will pay no business rates in 2020-21. There will be no need for businesses to apply for the relief.
We have issued amended Business Rates bills to those businesses that will qualify for 100% Business Rate Retail Relief. If you have not received an amended bill and you think you qualify, please contact us if you have not received anything by 1 April.
Business Grants
Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with a rateable value over £15,000 and under £51,000 will also receive a cash grant of £25,000.
Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with a rateable of £15,000 or under will receive a cash payment of £10,000
All businesses in receipt of small business rates relief and rural rate relief – regardless of sector – will be eligible for a cash payment of £10,000.
We have issued a letter to all businesses who qualify for the grants with instructions on what you need to do to receive the grant. If you have not received a letter by 5 April please contact us
All grants close on 28th August 2020
Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan
The Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan Scheme will help small and medium businesses affected by Covid-19 to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000. The government will guarantee 100% of the loan and there will be no fees or interest to pay for 12 months.
More information and eligibility can be found here
Business Interruption Loan Scheme
The Business Interruption Loan Scheme is in place to help SME’s and larger businesses by offering loans up to £5 million.
Information and guidance on this scheme can be found here
Kent and Medway Business Fund Loans
New loan schemes have been announced.
Information can be found here
Paying your staff's wages
A Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is in place to assist employers who need support paying their staff through this time.
Information on how to access this scheme is here
You can apply for the scheme here
There is also a Statutory Sick Pay relief package for SMEs.
More information and guidance for employers can be found here
To find out if you can claim back the SSP through Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme go here
Help with Tax
Self-assessment tax payments are being delayed until January 2021.
You can find out more about VAT deferral here
If you are struggling to pay your tax you can call HMRC helpline on: 0800 024 1222.
Operating as a hot food takeaway
In order to support restaurants, cafes and pubs affected by the Coronavirus outbreak, the Government have allowed such establishments to become takeaway restaurants.
More information can be found here
There is also guidance for food businesses on Coronavirus about food hygiene, social distancing in the workplace and employee sickness.
Eat Out to Help Out scheme
There is a new scheme running through August which offers discounts at participating restaurants. For more info go here.
Support for self-employed and sole traders
The Chancellor has announced support for people that are self-employed.
The SEISS (Self-employment Income Support Scheme) will provide a grant to self-employed individuals or partnerships, worth 80% of their profits up to a cap of £2,500 per month.
The HMRC will use the average profits from 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 to calculate the grant.
More information can be found here
FAQs regarding the scheme can be found here
You may also be able to claim Universal Credit if you are on a low income and out of work
More information and guidance can be found here
Social distancing in the workplace during coronavirus
There is advice for employers about social distancing in the workplace across a range of sectors here.
Letter to all businesses
Cllr Martin Cox wrote a letter to all business outlining the support available to Maidstone businesses. Read it here
Kent County Council Business Survey
Kent County Council are asking businesses to complete a questionnaire. Any data collected will inform them on future (financial) business support and recovery schemes
To complete the questionnaire go here
Further advice and guidance
Please call 03333 602 300 to speak to someone on the Coronavirus Support Helpline provided by The Kent and Medway Growth Hub
You may also use the live Covid-19 Business Support Hotline Chat provided in the bottom right of this website from 9:00 - 17:00.
To keep up to date with the latest information, please sign up to our newsletter, which we are using to communicate guidance and updates as and when they happen.
You can also visit the Government's Business Support site for more information
