We will be launching applications for the new Additional Restriction Restart Grants (ARG Restart) next week following the Bank Holiday.
Businesses that have previously received a payment through the old ARG shame do not need to complete an application form - they will receive an email requesting confirmation that the details we hold have not changed.
As a reminder, ARG Restart is for businesses that are not eligible for the current Restart Grant but have nonetheless been severely impacted by the latest COVID restrictions. To qualify, businesses must:
Have been trading on 1 April 2021
Have high fixed businesses costs and/or be severely affected by the restrictions
In addition the Council will prioritise the following types of businesses:
Regular market traders
Bed and breakfast establishments which pay Council Tax rather than Business Rates
Charity properties that do not have their own Business Rate assessment
Tenant publicans (where the public house owner pays the business rates and is therefore eligible for a Restart Grant – but the tenant landlord is responsible for other business related costs)
Businesses that supply goods or services to the retail, hospitality, leisure and events sectors
Travel companies or transport providers
Small businesses in shared office or other flexible workspaces which do not have their own Business Rate assessment
Those working from home who are not eligible for the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS), or Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and have high fixed business costs such as rent, lease, hire purchase costs or franchise payments
Mobile self-employed people in receipt of SEISS, such as hairdressers and taxi drivers who have identifiable fixed costs whether related to property, vehicle or business
For more information, see our website using the link below.
Restart Grant payments have already arrived in the bank accounts of the first businesses to be assessed and payments will continue to be made as the team works through the claims.
We would really like to pay everyone who is eligible for Restart Grants as soon as possible but there are still many businesses that have not responded to our email requesting the additional information we need to process payments in line with Government rules. We cannot pay the Restart Grant without this additional information, so please check your inbox and make sure you haven’t missed it. Our systems are all in place so the faster we have your information, the faster we can pay you the grant.
If you have received a grant from us since November 2020 but have not had an email, please check your eligibility on our website. If you are not eligible for a Restart Grant you may qualify for our discretionary ARG (Restart) Grant. You will be able to apply online next week.
The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme helps businesses by linking them with an academic or research organisation and a graduate to deliver a specific innovation project.
A KTP is part-funded by a grant. The amount you will need to contribute depends on the scale and length of the project. Projects typically run for between 12 and 36 months and allow the business to benefit from new skills and the latest academic thinking.
The latest round of the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP) funding competition is open for applications. It is offering SMEs grants of up to £300,000 to help develop innovative aerospace technologies. Projects must start by 1 October 2021 and end by 31 March 2023. The deadline for registering is 19 May 2021.
The Government is currently offering rural businesses vouchers of up to £3,500 to use towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable broadband connections. For more information on the scheme and to check your eligibility please follow the web link below.
The National Lottery Project Grant supports individual artists, community and cultural organisations. The fund is open to arts, museums and libraries projects and grants range between £1,000 and £100,000. This programme is running until 31 August 2021.
The Government has updated the guidance for food businesses, to reflect changes to national lockdown rules which came into effect on 12 April.
The update includes guidance on ventilation and asymptomatic testing programmes intended for all workplaces involved in the manufacturing, processing, warehousing, picking, packaging, retailing and service of food.
Scale Up 4 Growth is bringing a total of £1m to Gloucestershire. Unlike other grants and funding schemes intended to help businesses get through during these turbulent times, it is all about innovation, development and growth. Far from the desire to ‘get back to normal’, it encourages businesses to think outside the box and innovate to create new services and products or to launch into new markets.
Scale Up 4 Growth has received an astonishing number of applications for the scheme designed to help businesses grow. The impact of the pandemic and the rise of start-up businesses during lockdown means demand for funding grants like Scale Up 4 Growth is higher than ever.
Since applications opened in March, hundreds of businesses have registered their interest in the scheme. Applications have been received from businesses right across the county. Tewkesbury and Cheltenham are leading the way with 20% of the applications each, closely followed by Gloucester and the Forest of Dean both with 16%, Stroud with 15% and the Cotswolds with 10% of the total applications.
Business owners are urged to hurry as the application deadline is on Wednesday 5 May so there is not much time left if you are looking to apply.
Throughout May half-term the Cotswold Youth Network will be visiting towns and villages across the Cotswolds. The aim is to provide some fun activities to get out and talk to young people. It also aims to share information about what opportunities exist for them. The events will be supported by organisations including World Jungle, Young Gloucestershire, Inspire to Aspire, The Door Youth Project and Cotswold District Council. It will also include an outdoor “silent disco”, with other youth activities as well as a chance to hear direct from young people.
Useful information packs will be given to young people on where they can get support, goodies and an opportunity to win some great prizes.
If you have information, prizes or goodies, special offers that you would like to include in the pack. If yes then could you please send the information to 18 Second Avenue, Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL11 4PD by 23 May. We anticipate reaching about 200 young people over the course of the week.
If you would like to be involved in any other way, please get in touch with ben@worldjungle.org.uk
Other helpful organisations
Here is a selection of groups offering expert help and advice for businesses, but do also check the trade association for your own sector.
Enterprise Nation - a vibrant community of small businesses and business advisors with a website packed full of resources
UK Hospitality - represents the broad hospitality sector – covering everything from bars, coffee shops, contract catering, hotels, nightclubs, visitor attractions and other leisure venues
Cotswold Taste - not for profit co-operative providing advice, business, marketing and promotional support to its members, food chain producers and support businesses
Cotswold Tourism -is a partnership of businesses serving the visitor economy sector and local authorities
Summary of business support
The government's business support website sets out the full range of business support measures that have been made available to UK businesses and employees.
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