BUSINESSES can apply for up to £3,000 in support during the second lockdown.

A support grant available from West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) went live this morning.

Local councils are responsible for the delivery of the Government scheme, with the payment dependant on the rateable value of the property of the business.

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Businesses should apply if:

  • They were operating as a business that was open as usual and providing an in-person service to customers from the business premises but were required to close by law because of the lockdown
  • They are liable to pay business rates (even if they have not paid rates this financial year due to a relief or exemption)
  • They have closed the main part of their operations but adapted their business model to provide a reduced service, for example takeaway or click and collect.

However, businesses that primarily provided takeaway or click and collect services prior to the Government restrictions are not eligible.

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Toby Morris, WODC’s cabinet member for resources, said: “We are in unprecedented times with a second national lockdown and this clearly has a massive impact on local businesses, so this support grant scheme is a vital lifeline.

“We have tried to ensure the online application form is as straightforward and jargon-free as possible and we will process applications as speedily as possible, however demand is sure to be high and this may cause delays.

“At the moment, given we cannot accurately predict demand, there may be a delay and we do not want to make promises we cannot keep.

“Of course, our teams will be working flat out to process applications and conduct all necessary checks and get payments made to local businesses.

“We will have a clearer idea of how fast we are able to process payments after a few days of operating the scheme and will update via the website.”