Business rates grant applications stop at end of this month

A reminder has been issued across Wrexham to those who are eligible for business rates grants but have not yet applied.

As part of a range of pandemic economic support measures from UK and Welsh Government some businesses – or in some cases landlords – could be eligible for grants of £10k or £25k based off their business rates.

In the announced measures business are eligible for:-

– A grant of £25,000 for occupied businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector with a rateable value of between £12,001 and £51,000, or
– A grant of £10,000 to businesses eligible for Small Business Rates Relief with a rateable value of £12,000 or less.

Wrexham Council, like all authorities, was asked to administrate the grant process. Contrary to the enduring myth, it does not set business rates.

So far the local authority has helped over 1,800 businesses and sole traders in the county borough by providing £22m in business grants since lockdown began.

This includes small charities and community sports clubs following recently revised eligibility rules.

However, the Welsh Government recently announced that the grants scheme will close for applications on June 30th.

Wrexham Council are now urging businesses to get in touch and find out if they are eligible by the end of the month.

In a joint statement Chief Executive of Wrexham Council Ian Bancroft and Leader of the council, Mark Pritchard, said: “This is a call for any businesses out there who haven’t already received a business loan or funding from the Economic Resilience Fund, to go to our website to check if they’re eligible and – if they are – make a claim.

“You’ll find all the relevant information on our site, including revised criteria for small charities and community amateur sports clubs.

“We’re particularly asking owners of shops, offices, hairdressing salons, garages and petrol stations, and non-council community centres or buildings to consider claiming.”

The form where people can apply can be found on https://beta.wrexham.gov.uk/service/covid-19-help-businesses.

For those looking up their current rateable value or similar details as held by the Valuation Office you can find their search form here. The council’s new page also contains a summary of the new 100% relief for businesses as well as the qualifying criteria for the 2 grants.

People are urged to read the guidance before completing the form, with it also clearly stated any erroneous or incorrect claims will have to paid back in full.