What grant funding is available to help me manage cash flow?
• All retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England will get a 100% business rates holiday for the next 12 months.
• Grants are available to small businesses eligible for Small Business Rates Relief from £3,000 to £10,000.
• £25,000 grants are available for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses operating from smaller premises, with an RV over £15,000 and below £51,000.
How do I know if my business is eligable for a grant?
We are waiting for guidance on criteria for a grant and how to apply. They will be administered by your local council.
Information on the expanded Retail discount relief is available here.
How do I keep my vacant property safe & secure?
Here are the top 10 things you need to do with your property:
Disconnect power – turn off all battery charging equipment that you won’t be using.
Get rid of the rubbish – try not to leave any waste hanging around in your empty building.
Remove valuable items – where practical, take any high value items with you.
Keep it heated – as we move into spring this shouldn’t be as much of a problem, but as a rule all buildings should be kept at 5 degrees centigrade to look after the heating and water systems.
Light it up – if possible, leave the external security lighting switched on.
Keep fire protection active - ensure all fire protection systems, including fire suppression and fire detection systems, are active and maintained.
Isolate water - if the property is going unoccupied for a long period of time, isolate water supplies that are not required for fire protection systems or other critical equipment.
Lock up - make sure you close all the doors, especially any fire doors, lock your windows and close any shutters.
Set the alarm – check it’s working and that your response team knows what to do if it goes off.
Keep an eye on it - maintain security rounds and site safety checks where practical and possible.
For more detailed advice on property control measures and risk mitigation during the Covid-19 outbreak, please get in touch with Matthew Lawrence or John Peckett.