If there is one industry that's taken the worst hit in the stomach due to economic slowdown in the retail, hospitality, and leisure sector. This hasn't gone unnoticed and the government has come up with a grant scheme to support businesses that have a shop, restaurant, cafe, bar or pub, cinema or live music venue, assembly or leisure property (for example, a sports club, a gym or a spa) and hospitality property (for example, a hotel, a guest house or self-catering accommodation).
RHLG eligibility
Businesses that satisfy ALL of the following conditions are eligible for Retail, Hospitality, and Leisure Grant (RHLG):
- It is based in England
- It is in the retail, hospitality, or leisure sector
- The business property had a rateable value of under £51,000 on 11 March 2020
Note that changes made to a business’ rateable value or rating assessment after 11 March 2020 will not affect eligibility.
Following businesses SHALL NOT BE eligible for retail and hospitality leisure grant:
- Properties occupied for:
- Personal uses, such as private stables and loose boxes, beach huts, and moorings.
- Car parks and parking spaces.
- Properties with a rateable value of £51,000 or over.
- Businesses :
- which were in liquidation as of the 11 March
- which was dissolved.
- that are not ratepayers in the business rates system
Are charities eligible for RHLG?
Eligible charities that have received charitable rate relief or discretionary relief can still get the grant.
How many grants will be provided for Retail, Hospitality, and Leisure
- Businesses with a property that has a rateable value of up to £15,000 will receive a grant of £10,000.
- Businesses with a property that has a rateable value of over £15,000 and less than £51,000 will receive a grant of £25,000.
Features of Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant
- Taxation of grant: The grant is subject to tax, only where businesses make an overall profit once grant income is included.
- The number of grants: The eligible business can get one grant per property.
- Businesses cannot receive both SBGF and RHLG on the same property. They have to choose either of them if they are eligible for both the grants.
- The recipient for the grant: The grant will be disbursed to the person who according to the billing authority’s records were the ratepayer for the property on the 11 March 2020.
How to apply for Retail, Hospitality, and Leisure Grant?
Businesses eligible for the business grants will be contacted by their local authority, though some local authorities have decided to operate an application process. You can check out the website of your local authority or contact them to find out how it works in your area.
Click here to find out your local authority and its website address.
