Businesses in South Lakeland affected by the coronavirus pandemic and previously ineligible for support are being urged to apply to a new business rates relief scheme.

South Lakeland District Council has £2,109,829 to distribute to businesses affected by Covid but ineligible for previous support schemes and not able to adapt, such as in the manufacturing, food distribution, wholesalers or supply chain sectors.

Councillor Robin Ashcroft, South Lakeland District Council portfolio holder for Economy, Culture and Leisure, said: “The effects of the pandemic on businesses are still being felt and this scheme has the potential to provide much-needed support to sectors which were previously ineligible for government support.

“I would urge anybody operating a business which they think fits the criteria for support through this new scheme to check on our website and apply.

“Supporting businesses in South Lakeland is a key priority for South Lakeland District Council and we are committed to doing everything we can to make the best and most effective use of this money.”

Government guidance for the Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) states that reductions should be made under the CARF scheme to assist those ratepayers who have been adversely affected by the pandemic and who were unable  to adequately adapt to that impact.

There will be an online application process. Details about eligibility and a link to the application forms can be found at: https://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/business-and-trade/business-rates/business-rates-relief-and-reduction/covid-19-additional-relief-fund-carf/

Applications close at 11.59pm on 14 August 2022.

The CARF scheme will be open to all ratepayers who meet the following criteria:

• Not eligible (or would be eligible) for the Expanded Retail Discount (covering Retail, Hospitality, and Leisure), the Nursery Discount or the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS);
• Not a council (including parish and county councils);
• Not entitled to either Small Business Rate Relief or Rural Rate Relief granted at 100 percent;
• Not entitled to mandatory relief (80 per cent) and discretionary (top up) of 20 per cent which is funded through business rates retention:
• The hereditament is treated as occupied by the council:
• The ratepayer confirms that they have been adversely affected by the pandemic and have been unable to adequately adapt to that impact;
• The ratepayer is not subject to subsidy control

We cannot award relief to:

• Businesses in receipt of, or eligible for, the Expanded Retail Discount and the Nursery Discount, for example: shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs, hotels, self-catering accommodation;
• Businesses that do not have a charge to pay in the 2021/2022 financial year due to the receipt of other reliefs;
• Businesses that are not in occupation in the 2021/2022 financial year;
• Businesses who have already received the maximum amount of subsidy allowed;
• Businesses that are in administration, insolvent or where a striking-off notice has been made.