The guidance for Additional Restrictions Grants (ARGs) has been updated to highlight the businesses that are eligible, and this has been extended to businesses that are being impacted by the delay in moving to Step 4. The guidance now states that:
Local councils have the freedom to determine the eligibility criteria for these grants. However, we expect the funding to help businesses that are severely impacted by the restrictions.
Local councils are encouraged to support:
- businesses from all sectors that may have been severely impacted by restrictions but are not eligible for the Restart Grant scheme, including those which do not pay business rates
- businesses from sectors that remain closed or severely impacted by the extended restrictions, even if those businesses have already been in receipt of Restart Grants. This may include the travel and tourism sector, nightclubs, events industries, wholesalers and mobile businesses including caterers.
It should also be noted that there is no limit to the number of ARG grants that a business can be awarded. So, businesses that have already been awarded support under the grant can apply for further support.