Doncaster Council starts making grant payments to businesses

Starting today, the first business payments will be made via bank transfer. These will be the first of many and the council will be processing business support grant payments daily to get the money to businesses as soon as possible.

Several thousand submissions are expected to be processed over the coming days.

We would like the support of businesses in making these payments as quickly as possible. If people have already submitted a form or been in touch with the Business Doncaster team can they hold off ringing to find out when the payment will be made as this is diverting these staff from making payment. Patience is appreciated during this time.

Cllr Bill Mordue, Cabinet Member for Business, Skills and Economic Development, said: “Our Revenues and Benefits team are working flat out to make sure businesses and residents get the financial support they need during this very difficult period. We are delighted to have made these first vital payments so quickly to help small businesses and retail businesses in the borough. If you have not had your payment yet please bear with us as we are working very hard to make the payments as soon as we possibly can.”

The council has received more than 2,500 online webforms for the schemes to date including the £10,000 Small Business Grant, which is available to businesses with a rateable value of up to £15,000, who are in receipt of Small Business Rates Relief. There is also a £10,000 or £25,000 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant, which is available to firms in those sectors with a rateable value up to £51,000.

If businesses haven’t already submitted an online webform for the grant, they should visit: www.doncaster.gov.uk/doitonline/request-a-small-business-grant-fund-and-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-grant-fund-payment

As part of additional support measures, the council is also processing changes to the Retail Relief scheme which will mean most retail, leisure and tourism businesses will pay no business rates in 2020-21, regardless of their rateable value.

Those businesses affected will receive a revised rates bill to confirm that they will not need to pay any rates for 2020-21. Those businesses that pay by Direct Debit and now qualify for the relief will not have a payment taken.

Business Doncaster is working alongside our partners to pool information on the issues affecting businesses, share resources and ensure businesses can access support. Useful content is being published daily across our social media platforms and content on our website is being updated constantly.

For more information on the business support available, please visit: www.wearedoncaster.co.uk which is updated on a daily basis.