DETAILS of how businesses in Cornwall will receive money from the Government during the coronavirus restrictions have been revealed.

Cornwall Council said it had now received further information about how the schemes for Local Authority Business Rate Grants to Businesses will be made available.

The council said it expected to receive the grant funding from government in early April, at which time it will be made available immediately to struggling businesses.

There is no need to apply or to contact the council, it said.

Whilst the details of the scheme are still being finalised, the council said it was committed to getting advice and information to all businesses as soon as possible and is able to advise businesses that:

- The Small Business Grant Fund (SBGF) will be available for all businesses in receipt of Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) or Rural Rate Relief (RRR). Businesses will receive £10,000. There are approximately 19,500 Cornish businesses in this category.

- The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant (RHLG) will be available to those businesses in receipt of the Expanded Retail Discount, there are 5,600 Cornish businesses in this category, as follows:

    - Rateable value up to and including £15,000 will receive a grant of £10,000

    - Rateable value over £15,000 to £51,000 will receive a grant of £25,000

    - Businesses with a rateable value over £51,000 are not eligible

Exclusions will include private stables, beach huts, moorings etc, car parks and parking spaces and businesses who were in liquidation as of March 11. The council said it should be noted that State Aid Limitations apply.

Businesses will not need to apply for the grants of £10,000 or £25,000. They will be contacted shortly in order for Cornwall Council to check or obtain bank details. 

Once the council has these correct details, payments will be sent to the registered Business Rate payer in April. There is no need to contact the council. It said it would be updating businesses further when it could.

Cornwall Council’s leader, Julian German, said: “We are committed to helping our residents and businesses through this crisis. We promised to seek urgent clarification about these schemes and will update businesses in Cornwall as more information becomes available.”

The information was welcomed by Mark Duddridge, chairman of the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, who said: “Businesses are desperate for support and will welcome the pledge by Cornwall Council to disperse these funds as soon as they are available. 

"We are currently collecting data about the impact of coronavirus on the business community and are asking businesses to fill out a short survey here so that we can feed back information to Government to help shape future support.”

The council said it was working closely with its partners and business organisations to help Cornish businesses affected by the pandemic. Check its website for further updates or visit the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Growth Hub, which is constantly updated with the latest coronavirus business support information.