UPDATE:
We have now received the top up ARG funding from government and have been able to pay the majority of eligible grant applications received for the Local Recovery Grant (ARG).
We still have some funding available and opened a second round of applications on Monday 12 July - this closed at 2pm on Monday 19 July.
This grant scheme is now closed, and we are not able to take any new applications.
We are working closely with Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, Cumbria Tourism and Carlisle Ambassadors to support local businesses.
Coronavirus Business Grants
Additional Restrictions Grant: Local Recovery Grant from April 2021
We have now received the top up ARG funding from government and have been able to pay the majority of eligible grant applications received for the Local Recovery Grant (ARG).
We still have some funding available and opened a second round of applications on Monday 12 July - this closed at 2pm on Monday 19 July.
This grant scheme is now closed, and we are not able to take any new applications.
Restart Grants
The one off grant was payable to non-essential retail, hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym businesses, that are in the Rating list and were trading on 1 April 2021.
Those businesses that received payments under the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) received automatic payments, if they qualified.
A list of eligible businesses is listed in this downloadable document.
The scheme is now closed.
Local Restrictions Support Grant (closed businesses) application
The Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed Premises) was for businesses that were required to close under restrictions imposed.
Support for LRSG (Closed) has now ended.
Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open)
The grant was for business which were severely impacted by the Tier 2 Restrictions but not required to close. This scheme focused on supporting hospitality, accommodation and leisure/events businesses in line with Government guidance.
This grant scheme is now closed, and we are not able to take any new applications.
Christmas Support Payment for wet-led pubs
The Christmas Support payment was a single one-off payment of £1,000 for wet-led pubs. This grant scheme has now ended.
One off top-up grants for closed retail, leisure and hospitality sectors
The one-off top up grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses have now ended.
EU Transition
A deal with the EU has been reached and businesses should take action to ensure that their business operations can run smoothly as new rules apply. Businesses should prioritise taking any actions as soon as possible in the new year.
The links below provide more information to support business:
- Use the Brexit checker tool for a personalised list of actions.
- Sign up here for business readiness bulletins to receive important updates for your business.
- If you move goods into, out of, or through Northern Ireland, check the latest Northern Ireland Protocol guidance here.
- For guidance on Rules of Origin see here.
- For details of the new arrangements for hiring workers from the EU see here.
- For travelling to Europe check here and for passports here.
- For Data Protection and Data Flows check here.
- UK Government information
- Cumbria Chamber of Commerce's Brexit Toolkit
- Cumbria LEP
Government guidance
Coronavirus (COVID-19) support is available to businesses:
For guidance and support visit this website.
Stay up to date with GOV.UK
Sign up to get emails when we add new coronavirus business support information
Funding support
For funding opportunities visit www.carlisle.gov.uk/funding
We are providing local businesses with free access to its local business support and grant portal provided by Open4Business. This is tailored for the Carlisle area and includes local, regional and national schemes. Business can also search for funding relevant to their size and sector. To use the portal, you will first need to register with Open4Business. Visit the portal here.
The government’s ‘support finder’ tool helps businesses and self-employed people across the UK to quickly and easily determine what financial support is available to them during the coronavirus pandemic. The link is here.
NHS Test and Trace
Venues such as pubs, restaurants, hair salons and cinemas are now required by law to record contact details of their customers, visitors and staff in the latest move to stop the spread of coronavirus.
The NHS COVID-19 app launched on Thursday 24 September in England and Wales, including QR check-in at venues.
Designated businesses and organisations, including hospitality, close contact services and leisure venues, will also be legally required to log details of customers, visitors and staff for NHS Test and Trace.
Businesses are now required to display official NHS QR code posters so customers who have downloaded the new NHS COVID-19 app can use their smartphones to easily check-in.
Businesses can download the QR codes here - to display as posters in premises.
Using the COVID-19 app, customers and visitors in England are now able to check-in on entry with their phone instead of filling out a check-in book or tool specific to a business. This will allow NHS Test and Trace to contact customers with public health advice should there be a COVID-19 outbreak.
Services included in the new legal requirements are:
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Hospitality, including pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés.
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Tourism and leisure, including gyms, swimming pools, hotels, museums, cinemas, zoos and theme parks.
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Close contact services, including hairdressers *facilities provided by local authorities, including town halls and civic centres (for events), libraries and children’s centres.
For further details on the announcement please click here and for guidance on maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace click here.
The government has also prepared a bank of resources. Click here to view these.
The full list of business settings is listed here.