Advice and support for businesses
Business grants open for applications
You can apply for a business grant if your business has been forced to close or has suffered significant loss of income because of tier or lockdown restrictions.
If you have applied for a business grant since the second national lockdown in November, you don't need to apply again.
Last updated: 23 February at 09:44
All businesses and venues that remain open should follow COVID-secure guidelines to protect customers, visitors and staff.
On this page you will find links to information which will help you manage your staff, get support and plan for recovery.
The following businesses and venues must close to reduce social contact:
- all non-essential retail, for example, clothing and electronics stores, vehicle showrooms, travel agents, betting shops and auction houses
- hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs - with the exception of providing food and non-alcoholic drinks for takeaway (until 11pm), click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery
- accommodation such as hotels, hostels, guest houses and campsites
- leisure and sports facilities, such as leisure centres and indoor gyms, indoor swimming pools, indoor tennis and basketball courts, indoor fitness and dance studios, and indoor climbing walls
- entertainment venues such as theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums and galleries, casinos, amusement arcades, bingo halls, bowling alleys, skating rinks, go-karting venues, indoor play and soft play centres, fairgrounds, funfairs, zoos and other animal attractions, water parks and theme parks
- indoor attractions at botanical gardens, heritage homes and landmarks must also close, though outdoor grounds of these premises can stay open
- riding centres and stables
- personal care services such as hair, beauty and nail salons, tattoo parlours, spas, massage parlours, body and skin piercing services, non-medical acupuncture, and tanning salons - this includes providing these services in other people's homes
The government has announced a one-off grant payment of £1,000 to help ‘wet-led’ pubs during the Christmas period (Wednesday 2 December to Tuesday 29 December 2020).
You must apply by Sunday 28 February 2021.
Business grants are now open for applications.
The Furlough Scheme (also known as the Job Retention Scheme) has been extended until the end of April 2021. Employees will get 80% of their normal salary.
The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Grant Extension supports self-employed people with two grants, each available for three month periods covering November 2020 to January 2021, and February 2021 to April 2021.
To apply, you must:
- have previously been eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme first and second grant (but you don't have to have applied for them)
- intend to continue to trade and either:
- are currently actively trading but are impacted by reduced demand due to coronavirus
- were previously trading but are temporarily unable to do so due to coronavirus
Find out more about the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
You may be eligible for loans, tax relief and cash grants.
Support is available for employers and self-employed people.
Use GOV.UK's business support finder or see additional support for disruptions during coronavirus.
NHS Test and Trace is designed to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Find out how you should be using Test and Trace as an employer