Plymouth’s businesses will now be able to apply for financial support to help get them through the current uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Plymouth City Council is writing to all businesses eligible to receive grants so they can urgently access financial help as soon as possible – with the ambition of making most payments within the next two weeks.

The Small Business Grants Fund and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund, announced by the Government last week as part of a £330 billion package of support, offer one-off grants to a number of businesses:

• Any business currently in receipt of Small Business Rate Relief will be eligible for a £10,000 grant.
• Any retail, hospitality or leisure business in receipt of Expanded Retail Discount with a rateable value of less than £51,000 will be eligible for a grant per property based on eligibility criteria below:
  • Any retail, hospitality or leisure business with a rateable value of £15,000 or below will be eligible for a £10,000 grant.
  • Any retail, hospitality or leisure business with a rateable value above £15,000 and below £51,000 will be eligible for a £25,000 grant.

Council finance and business staff have calculated that almost 3,500 businesses across the city will qualify for grants of up £10,000, while around 540 businesses will qualify for grants of £25,000.

Our aim is to process as many grants as quickly as possible, so we need to stagger the flow of enquires. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is it?

COVID-19 Business Grants:

• Small Business Grant Fund
• Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant

Grants will be provided for Plymouth businesses via Plymouth City Council.

Who is eligible?

Any business currently in receipt of Small Business Rate Relief may be eligible for a £10,000 cash grant.​​​​​

Any retail, hospitality or leisure business in receipt of Expanded Retail Discount with a rateable value of less than £51,000 will be eligible for a cash grant per property based on eligibility criteria below: 

• Any retail, hospitality or leisure business with a rateable value of £15,000 or below may be eligible for a £10,000 cash grant.
• Any retail, hospitality or leisure business with a rateable value above £15,000 and below £51,000 may be eligible for a £25,000 cash grant.

Exclusions:

• Businesses in breach of de Minimis State Aid limits are not included in this scheme
• Businesses in receipt of Expanded Retail Discount (which covers retail, hospitality and leisure) with a rateable value of £51,000 or over are not eligible for this scheme
• Businesses which are not ratepayers in the business rates system are not included in this scheme

How will I know if I’m eligible?

Businesses that are eligible for this support will receive a letter from Plymouth City Council Business Rates team. All letters have been sent by 26 March 2020 to the registered business address, so you should receive your letter by Tuesday 31 March at the latest.

I can't access my business premises to get my letter what do I do?

Visiting your business premises to collect your letter is considered a legitimate reason to leave the house, and Police have been informed that these letters have been sent out to business addresses. You can find contact details below so that you can get in touch with us to make alternative arrangements to receive your letter, if you aren't able to collect it or it hasn't arrived. 

How do I apply?

Complete the online application form that was provided in the letter.

To apply you’ll need:

• Your Business rates account number
• Unique Grant reference number from your letter from Plymouth City Council
• Your business bank details and an image of your business bank statement or cheque book

Where possible and you are able, please complete this online form to ensure that we’re able to process forms and support as quickly as possible.

Need more assistance?

If you are:

• unable to complete the form online,
• haven’t received a letter or are unable to access your business premises but believe your business is eligible

Please contact the Plymouth City Council Business Grant helpline on 01752 308984. This helpline is open 7am to 7pm daily* to take your calls. 

We expect this number to be busy, so if you have received your letter and are able to complete the form without assistance then please do so. This will enable us to help those who do not have online access or need some help in other ways.

*The helpline hours will be reviewed on Monday 6 April. Please check back on this page for updated times. 

I don’t know if my details are up to date or my rateable value, what do I do?

Not sure of your rateable value, need to update your business rates account with new details or want to check which address your letter will be sent to?

Find out more here: https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/businesses/businessrates

How long will it take to process my application?

Once I’ve applied when will I receive the money?

Payments will be made direct into your business bank account within 10 days once information has been received via your application form and verified by our anti-fraud checks.

I know another business who I think is eligible but they may not be aware, what can I do to help?

Please share this information with any of your fellow businesses who you feel may be eligible for this grant support and encourage them to look for their letter or email, if they are able to do so.