Richmondshire businesses can now request help on line for aid due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The District Council is now able to start implementing the government’s offer of additional assistance for business ratepayers:

• Businesses entitled to Small Business Rate Relief or Rural Rate Relief as at 11 March 2020 are able to receive a grant of £10,000. Please apply on line at: https://selfservice.richmondshire.gov.uk/renderform.aspx?t=1246&k=1BC08789164713643361948DB6A5648452DF198D

• Businesses in receipt of a retail discount under the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant with a rateable value of less than £51,000 are able to receive a grant of up to £10,000 and for those businesses with a rateable value of greater than £15,000 but less than £51,000 a grant of £25,000. Please apply online at: https://selfservice.richmondshire.gov.uk/renderform.aspx?t=1246&k=1BC08789164713643361948DB6A5648452DF198D .

Payments in respect of these two grants will be paid to businesses as soon as possible following receipt of the funding from central government.

• Increase in the level of the retail discount to 100% (currently at 50%) for all retail businesses (every shop, pub, theatre, music venue, restaurant and any other business in the retail, hospitality or leisure sector) - as from 1 April 2020 this relief will be irrespective of their rateable value. This effectively will give these businesses a 12 month rate free holiday.