Last updated 26 February 2021
The government has announced a range of advice and support measures for employers and businesses over the past few months. You can find full details of these and any new information on GOV.UK .
Ipswich Borough Council is responsible for administering government financial support for businesses impacted by Covid-19 restrictions
This page helps businesses find out how to access the support that has been made available, who is eligible and how to apply.
Following the Prime Minister's announcement on the roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions, the government has stated that further funding will be given to the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) scheme to cover the period from 16 February to 31 March.
We will make these payments to businesses once we have received the funding from government.
If you received an LRSG grant for the period between 5 January to 15 February, there is no need to apply again, we will automatically pay you.
If your circumstances have changed since submitting your original application, you must inform us. This includes if your business has permanently closed, if your contact information has changed or you have reached state-aid limits.
Phase 2 of the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) scheme for open and closed businesses has now closed and we will process applications as swiftly as possible. We will update the webpage and our social media on further phases of the scheme in due course
This discretionary grant scheme aims to support closed businesses that do not directly pay business rates as well as businesses that do not have to close but which have been severely affected by COVID-19 restrictions.
The fund will support the following types of businesses
The ARG is open to businesses that were:
Public houses will each receive £25,000 (at £5,000 per month) for the period from November 2020 to 31 March 2021 – subject to state aid rules being met in each case and income reductions being greater than the grant received in each case. This will be via a mix of ARG funding and other LRSG business grants. We will contact all public houses by the end of January to confirm what information needs to be submitted and the grant levels (and dates) that we anticipate paying. Public houses do not need to complete the application form below.
Applications for Phase 2 of the ARG scheme have now closed.
Applications for the ARG had to be submitted using the online form within one of two tranches:
Read the full policy and criteria.
If your business has been affected by COVID-19 restrictions, you may be eligible for a Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG). Details of the various LRSG schemes can be found in the sections below.
You only need to complete one application form. We will assess your eligibility for each grant.
For businesses that received a LRSG as a result of the period of national restrictions in January 2021, there is no need to apply again for the grants available from the 16 February 2021. We will automatically calculate and pay all the appropriate business support grants through to the 31 March 2021.
You must inform us if your circumstances have changed since submitting your original application, for instance if your business has permanently closed or you have reached state-aid limits.
If you did not apply for support during the national restrictions in January, but think you may be eligible to apply please complete the application form below.
Use the form below to apply for a LRSG scheme
Aimed at businesses required to close in the national lockdown (16th February – 31st March 2021).
This grant is for business ratepayers only. If you are not a business ratepayer you may be eligible for the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG).
Payments are made for each 28 day restriction period.
Applications must be received by 31 May 2021
Aimed at businesses required to close in the national lockdown (5 January - Mid February 2021).
This grant is for business ratepayers only. If you are not a business ratepayer you may be eligible for the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG).
Payments are made for each 28 day restriction period.
Applications must be received by 31 March 2021
This is a one-off payment of up to £9,000 for business required to close in the national lockdown (5 January - Mid February 2021).
Applications must be received by 31 March 2021.
Aimed at businesses required to close under Tier 4 local restrictions.
This grant is for business ratepayers only. If you are not a business ratepayer you may be eligible for the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG).
Payments are made for each 28 day restriction period.
Where restriction periods are less than the stated pay cycles below, pro rata awards will be made.
You will be paid pro-rata payments to cover the number of days in Tier 2.
This scheme is now closed, applications can no longer be submitted
Aimed at businesses that were not required to close under Tier 2 restrictions, but have been significantly impacted by the restrictions.
This grant is for business ratepayers only. If you are not a business ratepayer you may be eligible for the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG).
Payments are made for each 14 day restriction period.
Where restriction periods are less than the stated pay cycles below, pro rata awards will be made.
This is a one-off grant of £1,000 for wet-led pubs and bars that derive less than 50% of sales from food.
This can be claimed in addition to any other grants you may be eligible for under Tier 2 restrictions.
This grant is for business ratepayers only. If you are not a business ratepayer you may be eligible for the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG).
Applications must be received by 28 February 2021.
Aimed at businesses required to close in the national lockdown (5 November – 1 December).
This grant is for business ratepayers only. If you are not a business ratepayer you may be eligible for the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG).
To qualify for this grant, you must have been:
Payments are made for each 28 day restriction period.
This grant is for businesses who were required to close on 23 March 2020 and have been unable to reopen since including nightclubs, discos, dance halls, hostess bars and adult entertainment venues
Payments are made for each 14 day restriction period