The next step will see non-essential retail and businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors reopen on 12 April 2021*.

These latest ‘restart grants’, which are one-off payments ranging from £2,667 up to £18,000 depending on the type of business and their rateable value, are aimed at supporting businesses as they reopen following the latest lockdown which began in January 2021.

As this is a new scheme with new eligibility criteria, the Council are urging all businesses to check the eligibility criteria and submit an application as soon as possible. Payments will be made from 6 April 2021.

Councillor Richard Hales, Portfolio Holder for Business and Finance, said: “We know how difficult this past year has been for businesses, as our Finance & Business teams have been busy paying out over £53m in grants since last April.

“But we’re almost there. We’re progressing through the roadmap and the next significant step – Step 2 on 12 April 2021 – will see businesses across the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors reopen and welcome back their customers. These grants are there to help them do just that, in a safe and secure way.

“I would urge all eligible businesses to take five minutes to check they’re eligible and submit their application to us.”

In addition, an Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) opens on midday Friday 9 April. This discretionary ARG Part F scheme is exclusive to taxi drivers and private hire firms only.

More details including eligibility criteria and application process will be posted at - Additional restrictions grants

As part of the ongoing work to issue grants out to eligible businesses as swiftly as possible, the teams have also completed rigorous checks to ensure that the grant funding is going to the right businesses under the right schemes.

Warwick District Council’s Finance and Business teams have now distributed a total of £53,034,143.55 in Covid business grants under the Local and National restrictions and ARG schemes since April 2020.

* Step 2 in the Government’s roadmap is currently scheduled for 12 April 2021 however it is important to note that this is subject to change.