Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG) are opening for a third time to even more businesses in Kensington and Chelsea.

Newly started businesses, who began operating in Kensington and Chelsea no more than six months before the March 2020 lockdown, could be eligible to apply for the grant.

Eligible businesses for the grants continue to include those who operate in or out of commercial premises linked to leisure, retail and hospitality and those without premises who face high fixed costs, such as market traders.

In the second round of applications in January, Kensington and Chelsea Council expanded the criteria to include those in residential premises such as taxi drivers and mobile beauty technicians, who can still apply for the ARG.

The ARG gives up to £2,500 for local businesses who have been impacted by Covid-19, with the council awarding £1,705,761 to 1336 businesses through the previous two rounds of the scheme.

Applications for the ARG are open now and the deadline to apply is Friday April 9. Business are encouraged to check the full eligibility criteria before applying on the council website.

Councillor Catherine Faulks, lead member for economy, employment and innovation, said:

“We have listened to business owners who have missed out on support grants but have still been greatly impacted by Covid-19. That’s why we’ve opened up the Additional Restrictions Grants for a third time with an extended eligibility criteria.

“Our entrepreneurs and start-ups are vital to our local economy and we’re determined to ensure that they can access vital funding and be ready to operate again as lockdown eases.”

What about the other grants for businesses in Kensington and Chelsea?

Grants for businesses under the Local Restrictions Support Scheme (LRSS), which includes funding for Tier 2, 3, 4 and national lockdown periods up to 15 February, will close at 5pm on Wednesday March 31.

Grants for the lockdown period of February 16 to March 31 2021 will be open until April 30 if you have not already applied for a lockdown grant.

The Government’s new Restart Grant will be introduced in April following the closure of the LRSS grants. Local authorities are still awaiting full guidance for these, but Kensington and Chelsea Council will open up applications once they’re able.

Read more

Where to get your small business Restart Grant worth up to £18,000