Updated - 16 April 2021
The Government has provided a package of measures to support businesses during the current period of disruption caused by COVID-19 (Gov.uk guidance link).
There are a number of different grants available and Cheshire West businesses only need to complete one application form and the Council will make a payment for each grant you are eligible for.
Recovery Loan Scheme
The
Recovery Loan Scheme supports access to finance for UK businesses as they grow and recover from the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The government guarantees 80% of the finance to the lender. As the borrower, you are always 100% liable for the debt.
The scheme is open until 31 December 2021, subject to review.
COVID19 - Arts Council England Emergency Response Fund
Link to the full guidance on the ACE emergency funding.
The Arts Council Customer Services Team can help you with the online Grantium form or talk about other ways they can help you.
The phones are closed for the time being but you can contact The Customer Services Team online or email: enquiries@artscouncil.org.uk.
Emergency Response Fund: Organisations (outside the National Portfolio) - Guidance for applicants
Emergency Response Fund: Individuals - Guidance for applicants
COVID19 - Bounce Back Loans
The new Bounce Back Loans scheme allows businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000 and access the cash within days.
Loans will be interest free for the first 12 months, and from Monday 4 May, businesses can apply online through a short and simple form.
Update 8 February 2021
- Applications until 31 January 2021
- 8 February 2021 Government announced that businesses that took out a Bounce Bank Loan to get through COVID-19 can now delay repayments by extra six months
COVID19 - Business Interruption Loan Scheme
The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) is open for applications and supports a wide range of business finance products, including term loans, overdrafts, invoice finance and asset finance facilities and can provide facilities of up to £5m for smaller businesses across the UK who are experiencing lost or deferred revenues, leading to disruptions to their cashflow.
The
CBILS website is the best source of up to date information.
COVID19 - C&W Recovery Consultancy Grant
The C&W COVID Recovery Consultancy Grant supports businesses (SMEs) across Cheshire & Warrington affected by the pandemic. The 100% grant of a maximum £5,000 is to help businesses develop new business models, develop new products and target new markets or customers.
PLEASE NOTE, THIS GRANT CAN ONLY FUND CONSULTANCY PROJECTS. WE CANNOT FUND IT EQUIPMENT E.G. LAPTOPS, PROTECTIVE SCREENS OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF CAPITAL ITEM
The focus of this discretionary grant is to protect jobs within those sectors and businesses most impacted by the Covid19 pandemic.
Suppliers looking for tender opportunities
SMEs that are awarded a grant are required to conduct an open tendering process in order to select a supplier to deliver their grant project. Details of the tender opportunities arising from the COVID Recovery Grant and how to submit a response will be hosted on the application portal and can be accessed here.
COVID19 - C&W Restructure Capital Grant
Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership have awarded a further £1 million to provide grants to help small businesses meet some of the extra costs created by the COVID restrictions.
Blue Orchid will be administering the Cheshire & Warrington Restructure Capital Grant on behalf of the LEP.
The grant application process will be delivered across 5 separate rounds, with the last round opening on the 14 December 2020. Each round closes once approx. 20% of the overall budget allocation has been achieved.
Applications are only accepted via an online application form.
Blue Orchid are hosting online Q&A sessions to help businesses find out more about how to apply; providing details of what a successful application looks like.
COVID19 - Financial Support for Your Business
Coronavirus (COVID‑19) support is available to employers and the self-employed, including sole traders and limited company directors. You may be eligible for loans, tax relief and cash grants, whether your business is open or closed.
Use the business support finder to see what support is available for you and your business.
COVID19 - Financial Support for Sport
Sport England has announced £195 million package to help sport and physical activity through coronavirus.
The money will help their partners, clubs and community organisations cope with the short and long-term impact of the pandemic.
COVID19 - HMRC Time to Pay Scheme
Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as soon as possible if you have missed your payment. How you contact HMRC depends on what you need to pay.