A new round of grant funding for East Devon businesses affected by national restrictions from January 5 to February 15 has been launched.

Round 2 of the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG2) is for businesses with fixed costs from any sector which have been severely financially affected by the latest lockdown.

Those eligible for ARG2 are:

  • Businesses which do not pay business rates must have been legally required to close between the January 5 and February 15, 2021

or

  • Any businesses not legally required to close which can demonstrate a 30 per cent drop in turnover and can prove fixed costs of at least £250 per month.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) has streamlined business grant applications for ARG2.

Businesses which previously received an ARG1 payment for national restrictions from November 5 to December 2 will automatically receive an access code to use when completing the short form.

The ARG2 is due to close to applications on 5pm on Thursday, March 11.

Councillor Paul Hayward, EDDC’s portfolio holder for economy and assets, said:

“This funding is provided to try and alleviate some of the financial pressure on businesses where their trade has been adversely impacted for this period and yet still have fixed costs to meet or which were required to close and don’t pay business rates.

“Unlike for other grant schemes, this support is not limited to specific sectors. If you feel that you meet the criteria please don’t delay - apply as soon as you can.”

Please see information about grant values and details of all grants available at eastdevon.gov.uk/business-grants.”

Businesses are asked to be patient while grant applications are processed, due to the huge surge in demand.

It was expected that the ARG would be extended to cover the national lockdown from the February 15 onwards, after the Government announced its roadmap to easing lockdown restrictions.

As soon as dates are confirmed, further access codes will be sent to all successful ARG applicants.