The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) is available for eligible businesses affected due to restrictions imposed under Tier Four and the current national lockdown.

This is the second time the ARG scheme has been in operation during the pandemic and this new round covers the period 31 December to 15 February. 

Additional Restrictions Grant funding is to support those businesses who are severely impacted by the restrictions but are not eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed).

The types of businesses that may be eligible are:   

• Businesses required to close but are not in the rates system (or are not the ratepayer) and are therefore not eligible for the LRSG. This includes market traders, B&Bs who pay Council Tax rather than business rates, or personal care services such as hairdressers who operate on a mobile basis, or rent a shared space within a larger unit.  
• Businesses that directly supply the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors. This should not include businesses where supply to supermarkets accounts for 50% or more of their business.  
• Any other business not covered above that can remain open, but is able to demonstrate that they have been severely impacted by the latest round of restrictions only. The Council considers severely impacted to be at least 50% of business to have been lost as a result of restrictions.  

  
A full description of the eligibility criteria is available on the council’s website.   

Businesses that have received a discretionary business grant through the previous Additional Restrictions Grant (Round 1) during November and December 2020 will be contacted directly. These businesses do not need to complete a new application form, but may be asked to confirm a few details before any payments are made.

All other businesses that think they may be eligible should complete the online application form. More information and the application form can be found at: https://www.allerdale.gov.uk/en/coronavirus/coronavirus-business-grants-claims/.

The council will review the scheme and any funding that is left available in the middle of February. 

In addition, businesses who are eligible for the wet-led pub one off payment are reminded that the application window closes on 31 January 2021. 

There are a number of other government-backed business grants on offer and further information for each of them is available on the council’s website:https://www.allerdale.gov.uk/en/coronavirus/coronavirus-business-grants-claims/.
 
Businesses are also encouraged to check the website page for any updates regularly. Help and advice is also available from the council’s customer service team on 0303 123 1702.