Councils across Cumbria have announced there is additional business rate support for the upcoming year.

The temporary measures for 2020/21, the Expanded Retail Discount will be extended for three months for eligible properties, at 100 percent relief uncapped, for the period April 1 to June 30 2021.

Then from July 1 2021 to March 31 2022, the Expanded Retail Discount will apply at 66 percent relief for eligible properties in the scheme, with a cash cap of £2 million for businesses that were required to close from January 5 2021, and up to £105,000 for business permitted to open at that date.

Properties covered are shops, cafes, drinking establishments, restaurants, cinemas, live music venues, hotels, guest and boarding houses, holiday homes, museums, art galleries, theatres, caravan parks, gyms, sports grounds and clubs, night clubs and club houses.

There is no need for eligible businesses to make an application, as all changes will automatically be made to the ratepayer’s bills.

In some circumstances a business can apply for a reduction or exemption of business rates (NNDR).

Businesses are urged to check the relevant council’s website page for further information:

Allerdale – https://www.allerdale.gov.uk/en/business-rates-nndr/business-rates-reliefs-and-exemptions/

Barrow – https://www.barrowbc.gov.uk/business/business-rates/

Carlisle – https://www.carlisle.gov.uk/news-and-events/business-support

Copeland – https://www.copeland.gov.uk/non-domestic-rates

Eden – https://www.eden.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/business-support-grants/

South Lakeland – https://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/business-and-trade/business-support-grants-coronavirus-covid-19/#gsc.tab=0

Further details can also be found at: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-business-rate-relief/small-business-rate-relief