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COVID-19  Residents Services  Help for businesses  Community support  Government advice

Help for businesses

Last updated on 8 September 2021

Expanded retail discount 2021/22

On 3 March 2021 Chancellor's budget the Government also proposed a 66% discount for 2021/22 only from 1 July 2021, but capped at up to a total value of £2 million per business. If the business was legally allowed to open during the national lockdown starting 5 January 2021, this cap is £105,000 rather than £2 million.

Businesses that wish to retain the Expanded retail discount after 1 July 2021, must now complete an online application, via the grant approval website: https://grantapproval.co.uk. 

For further guidance on coronavirus support for businesses, visit the government's Business Support website.

If you would like help navigating the range of measures including eligibility, contact Business East Sussex, a free and impartial government funded business support service. More information can be found on the Business East Sussex website.

Exceptional Hardship Grant Scheme 

Exceptional Hardship Scheme – Aimed at micro, small and medium sized businesses, this will be designed to help businesses that are still currently trading but have suffered a significant downturn in income, as well as businesses that have been mandated to close by the government. 

The funds for these additional grants are not the same in Lewes District and Eastbourne.  This is simply because of the varying demand and level of payments each council has already made to businesses mandated to close. 

Based on the remaining funds held by each council, the grants that can be applied for in Lewes District and Eastbourne are:

Lewes

Fund 1 – Exceptional Hardship

  • Micro = £5,500
  • Small = £8,000
  • Medium = £9,00

Eastbourne

Fund 1 – Exceptional Hardship

  • Micro = £4,000
  • Small = £6,000
  • Medium = £9,000

Apply here

If you would like to know about funding options that have now closed visit our Closed Business Grants page.

A business advisor at Business East Sussex can help businesses on a one to basis to explore what other grants businesses might be eligible for. More information can be found on the Business East Sussex website.

Items In This Category

Self-Employed Income Support Scheme

The online claims service for the fourth grant will be available from late April 2021. 

Further information on the fourth grant can be found on the gov.uk website.

Universal Credit

Businesses that can no longer operate, or whose earnings have reduced, may be able to claim Universal Credit. More information can be found on the Understanding Universal Credit website. 

Council Tax

Those who are self-employed and have not qualified for Council Tax Reduction in the past due to the minimum income floor, may now be able to get help through a new Covid-19 Hardship Fund. For more information visit the Covid-19 Hardship Fund page.

Bounce Bank Loans

The scheme helped small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between £2,000 and up to 25% of their turnover. The maximum loan available was £50,000.

The scheme closed to applications on 31 March 2021.

More information can be found on the gov.uk website. 

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme 

The scheme helped small and medium-sized businesses to access loans and other kinds of finance up to £5 million.

The scheme closed on 31 March 2021.

More information can be found on the gov.uk website.  

Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme

The scheme helped medium and large sized businesses to access loans and other kinds of finance up to £200 million. 

The scheme closed to applications on 31 March 2021.

More information can be found on the gov.uk website.  

COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility 

Under the COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility, the Bank of England will buy short-term debt from large companies. More information can be found on the gov.uk website. 

The Future Fund

The Fund provided government loans to UK-based companies ranging from £125,000 to £5 million, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors.

The scheme closed on 31 January 2021.

More information can be found on the British Business Bank website.  

Bank support

Other private banks are making funds available to small businesses. Businesses should contact their banking provider.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

HMRC will provide grants to businesses to cover 80% of the wages up to £2,500 for hours not worked for employees on furlough or flexible furlough. This has been extended to until 30 September 2021. More information can be found on the gov.uk website.

Small and medium-sized employers, with fewer than 250 employees, can apply to HMRC to recover the costs of paying Statutory Sick Pay pay to employees due to coronavirus (COVID-19). More information can be found on the  gov.uk website.

Tax helpline

Businesses that are concerned about paying their tax due to coronavirus, can call HMRC’s helpline for help and advice on 0800 024 1222 or use their webchat service.

All businesses and self-employed people in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC’s Time To Pay service. 

More information can be found on the  gov.uk website.

Reduced VAT for tourism and hospitality sectors

The VAT rate for the tourism and hospitality sectors will remain at 5%, a 15% reduction, until 30 September 2021. More information can be found on the  gov.uk website.

Business owners affected by the pandemic were protected from eviction until the end of March 2021. This final extension to protections from the threat of eviction will give landlords and tenants 3 months to come to an agreement on unpaid rent. More information can be found on the  gov.uk website

The Licensing and Environmental Health team can provide guidance and local support for businesses to meet Government guidelines and to keep employees and customers safe. More information can be found on the  Licensing and Environmental Health and  Working safely during COVID-19 pages.

Temporary and precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the new Covid-19 Omicron variant in the UK will come into force on Tuesday 30 November at 4am. From this time face coverings will be compulsory in shops and other settings such as banks, post offices and hairdressers, as well as on public transport unless individuals are exempt from doing so.

Kickstart Scheme

The scheme provides funding to create new job placements for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment. More information can be found on gov.uk website.

The Sussex Chamber can help local businesses create placements and handle the whole process.  Membership to the Chamber is not required. More information can be found on  Sussex Chamber of Commerce website.

The Skills Toolkit

The Skills Toolkit is a free online learning platform to upskill employees with free, high-quality digital, numeracy and soft skills courses. More information can be found on  The Skills Toolkit website.

Advice and support organisations

A list of organisations to help businesses and employees with employment and skills can be found on the  Employment and skills advice page.