COVID-19 business grant updates
We're currently awaiting information from government in relation to all grant schemes for the period from 15 February 2021 onwards.
We'll update details of available grants, including eligibility and application details, as soon as we're provided with the relevant information.
Please don't contact us about changes to available grants, as we'll be unable to answer queries of this nature.
Different government grants have been made available during the coronavirus pandemic in order to:
- provide support for different business sectors
- provide cover during different time periods
- respond to the varied local and national restrictions which have been in place
You may be eligible for more than one of the available grants which have been made available during the course of the pandemic.
As some grant schemes have now been open for some time, the vast majority of businesses do not need to take any further action; If you've already applied for a grant under the first national lockdown or since the Tier system was introduced, we will still have your application details and will automatically make any further payments which may be due.
Therefore, if you've been awarded a grant since November 2020, please don’t contact us – we'll contact you as soon as possible.
See details of current and previous business grants:
Visit GOV.UK for further advice or financial assistance.
Current COVID-19 business grants
See further information about grants which are open to current applications:
Lockdown Restrictions Grant
The Lockdown Restriction Grant is for businesses forced to close by law under the period of national lockdown, from 5 January 2021 to 15 February 2021.
During the 2021 lockdown period a single grant to cover the 42 day period will be paid to each eligible business. The grant amounts will be fixed. Businesses with more than 1 qualifying property will receive more than 1 grant.
This grant scheme was also available under the previous national lockdown period, from 5 November to 2 December 2020
Please note, if you applied and received payment under the previous Lockdown Restrictions Grant scheme which was in place from 5 November to 2 December 2020, we'll use data from your previous application to make further payments, and you don't need to re-apply.
Apply for a Lockdown Restrictions Grant
This grant is also known as 'Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) - Addendum (Lockdown)'. Please note, "Closed" does not relate to the status of the grant itself.
Current COVID-19 business grants
Additional Restrictions Grant
The Additional Restrictions Grant relates to the period of national lockdown, from 5 January 2021 onwards.
This grant scheme was also available during:
- the period of national restrictions, from 5 November 2020 to 2 December 2020
- periods when York was under 'Tier 3: Very High Alert' local restrictions
This discretionary scheme is to support York businesses affected by the lockdowns, which were not eligible for Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed Businesses) payments; it can help businesses which, whilst not legally required to close, were still severely impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.
The Additional Restrictions Grant scheme has been reviewed, on 18 January the decision was made that non-York residents could qualify for the scheme providing that applicants also meet the other qualifying criteria. Those other criteria include:
- conducting 75% of trade in York
- trade affected by 75% or more as a result of lockdown restrictions
Please note that if you've already received an Additional Restrictions Grant payment, we'll automatically make another payment for the Tier 3 period if applicable. We’ll also automatically make a payment for the period of the latest Lockdown, from 5 January 2021, so you don't need to re-apply.
Apply for an Additional Restrictions Grant
If you haven’t yet applied for the Additional Restrictions Grant, all new applications will be considered for:
- the initial lockdown period, 5 November to 2 December 2020
- the current lockdown period from 5 January 2021
- periods when York was under Tier 3 local restrictions
Current COVID-19 business grants
Historic COVID-19 business grants
The original application process for these historic grants is no longer available. However, if you have not previously applied for one of these grant schemes and wish to enquire about your eligibility please email: localrestrictionssupportgrant@york.gov.uk.
If you made an application under a grant schemes and you disagree with a decision, you can appeal within 14 days of the date on your decision notice by email to localrestrictionssupportgrant@york.gov.uk.
See further information about historic COVID-19 business grants:
- Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open Businesses)
- Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed Businesses)
- Sector Support Grant
Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open Businesses)
The Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open Businesses) grant was available for:
- businesses in the hospitality, accommodation and leisure sectors, from 17 October 2020 to 4 November 2020
- businesses in the hospitality, accommodation and leisure sectors, from 3 December 2020 to 30 December 2020
- businesses in the leisure sectors, from 31 December 2020 to 4 January 2021
Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open Business) eligibility criteria
Historic COVID-19 business grants
Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed Businesses)
The Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed Businesses) was for businesses that had been mandated to close by law from 2 December 2020.
Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed Business) eligibility criteria
Historic COVID-19 business grants
Sector Support Grant
The Sector Support Grant was available for the periods from:
- 1 November to 4 November 2020
- 2 December 2020 onwards
The Sector Support Grant was was superseded from 5 November to 1 December 2020 by the Lockdown Restrictions Grant.
The Sector Support Grant was aimed at businesses which have not previously received support, including:
- nightclubs and discotheques
- dance halls
- sexual entertainment venues
- hostess bars
This grant is also known as the 'Local Restrictions Support Grant (Sector)'.
Sector Support Grant eligibility criteria
Historic COVID-19 business grants
Closed COVID-19 business grants
The following COVID-19 business grant schemes have now been closed by the Government, strictly no further payments can be made from these grant schemes.
If you made an application under any of these applications and are still awaiting a decision, or if you disagree with a decision, you should contact the Business Rates Team.
You can appeal within 14 days of the date on your decision notice by email to business.rates@york.gov.uk.
See further information about:
- Small Business Grant Fund
- Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant
- Christmas support payment for Wet-led pubs
Small Business Grant Fund
The Small Business Grant Fund was part of the York Small Business Grant Fund application process, which closed on Friday 28 August 2020.
Closed COVID-19 business grants
Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant
The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant fund was part of the York Small Business Grant Fund application process, which closed on Friday 28 August 2020.
Closed COVID-19 business grants
Christmas Support Payment for Wet-Led Pubs
Public houses may have been entitled to this grant on top of the other available local restrictions support grants. The grant scheme closed for applications on Sunday 28 February 2021.
Closed COVID-19 business grants