Businesses in the city affected by the latest lockdown can now apply online for a Covid business support payment.
Charities, social enterprises and community centres that pay business rates may also be entitled to a grant.
A guide for applicants is available to help businesses provide the council with the right information. It includes details about which documents you need to complete the online form.
For more information and to apply, go to the businesses and employers web page.
We are also writing to nearly 6,000 businesses on our records from the previous Covid-19 grants process to encourage them to check their eligibility and apply.
Local Restrictions Support Grant
Businesses closed between 5 November to 2 December may be eligible for a grant for the lockdown period.
These grants are for businesses that pay businesses rates. The amount will depend on the rateable value of the property and have been set by government:
- £1,334 for businesses in properties with a rateable value of £15,000 or under
- £2,000 for properties with a rateable value of £15,000 and up to £51,000
- £3,000 for properties with a rateable value of £51,000 or over
Additional Restrictions Grant
Businesses that are not eligible for a Local Restrictions Support Grant may be able to get a discretionary grant. These are designed for businesses most in need of a payment to help them to survive.
Businesses can apply using the same form.
Information about businesses that may be eligible for this fund is available in the applicant’s guide.
Brighton & Hove has been allocated £5.8 million covering two financial years for the Additional Restrictions Grant.
Local Restrictions Support Sector grant
There is an additional local restriction grant available for businesses that had to close on 23 March and have not been able to re-open as a result of the Covid-19 restrictions.
The only businesses eligible for this grant are nightclubs, dance halls, discotheques and sexual entertainment venues.
More information about the sector payments is available in the applicant’s guide.
Supporting local business
Council leader Phélim Mac Cafferty said: “We are now in the pre-Christmas period which is a crucial trading time for our businesses. Many of them are currently closed or having to operate in a reduced way.
“We urge businesses to check if they can claim and encourage them to apply for a grant. Councillors will be helping to get the information out in the neighbourhoods we represent so that eligible businesses across the city know where and how to apply for a grant.
“It is concerning that the fund available for the discretionary grant, as last time, is nowhere near enough to support all the businesses that desperately need support.
"We will be keeping the process under review in order to target the right businesses. We’ll be making our case to government that our independent and social enterprise businesses need to survive the pandemic to protect jobs and enable the local economy to recover.”