To provide a much-needed cash boost to thousands of businesses in the borough as they start to reopen this week, non-essential retail, hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym businesses may be eligible for a one-off payment from Watford Borough Council through the new Restart Grant.
Businesses in Watford in the non-essential retail sector may be eligible for one-off grants of up to £6,000, while businesses in the hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym sectors, may be eligible for one-off grants of up to £18,000.
To be eligible for the Restart Grant businesses must occupy commercial premises and have a business rates account in their name. The amount awarded depends on the rateable value of the premises and type of business.
If you successfully applied for the Local Restrictions Support Grant and have been receiving automatic payments under this scheme, you need to complete a new application to receive the Restart Grant, as no automatic payments will be made. Applications for the Restart Grant will close on 30 June. Apply now: www.watford.gov.uk/restart-grant.
Donna Nolan, Managing Director at Watford Borough Council said: “Our small businesses are the lifeblood of Watford’s economy, providing thousands of jobs for local people and making a vital contribution to the success of our town. We know how difficult businesses found the third lockdown and restrictions imposed, so I would urge anyone who thinks they meet the criteria to apply for this funding. Our team will be working flat out to process applications and to make decisions quickly so the money gets to local businesses”.
The new scheme is similar to the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG). However, there are some differences in the eligibility criteria, and businesses that have been successfully awarded a LRSG in the past will have to provide further information for a Restart Grant, as some of the evidence that the council needs to collect have changed.