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.

Grants available after 15 February

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

Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) - Phase 2

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.

Should my business apply?

The fund will support the following types of businesses

• Businesses occupying shared workspaces or business units
• Businesses occupying rateable premises, not required to close but nevertheless significantly affected
• Mobile or home-based businesses
• Businesses in the supply chain of other retail, leisure, hospitality or events businesses
• Many of the businesses that were assisted by Ipswich Borough Council’s Discretionary Grant scheme earlier this year
• Others who meet the eligibility criteria

Which businesses are eligible?

The ARG is open to businesses that were:

• Trading on or before 1 December 2020
• Not eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) Addendum scheme
• Instructed to close because COVID-19 restrictions or can demonstrate that they have been significantly financially impacted by COVID-19 restrictions

What evidence do I need to apply?

• A brief statement of the impact of this national lockdown on the business including detail of significant financial impact. This means that businesses must be able to demonstrate a loss of income of 30% or more in November 2020 (e.g), when compared with November 2019)
• Confirmation of State Aid compliance
• Comparable evidence of business income for months November 2019, October 2020 and November 2020
• Copy of your lease / tenancy agreement / mortgage / mooring costs (or equivalent) evidencing monthly payments / commitments (if applicable)

What about public houses?

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.

How to apply

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: 

• Tranche 1: Closed at 12pm on 5 February 2021 – we hope to reach a decision and pay relevant grants by 26 February 2021
• Tranche 2: Closed at 12pm on 26 February 2021 – we hope to reach a decision and pay relevant grants by 19 March 2021

Read the full policy and criteria. 

Local Restriction Support Grants (LRSG)

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.

How to apply

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.

Rated properties only

Use the form below to apply for a LRSG scheme 

LRSG schemes available for the different lockdown periods: