In response to the Coronavirus outbreak, a range of measures to support businesses and workers have been made available by the UK and Welsh Government.

These include:
• Business Rate Relief
• Business grants
• Business Support services
• Access to finance
• Support for employees

Information and events are developing quickly, therefore Ceredigion County Council have established a single web page with the latest information here. 

Ceredigion County Council has supported calls to Government to consider support for the self-employed, as they make a significant proportion of Ceredigion’s workforce. A recent announcement has been made on this issue, and we’ve updated the available information.

The web page will be regularly updated with the latest information as we get it. It is therefore advised you bookmark the page and check it regularly, or follow the Council on Twitter and Facebook where we will advise of updates.

Financial Support and Grants

The web page above contains the latest information on the support that is available. A number of these schemes are accessed through various channels (HMRC, Banks etc).

However, there is specific support available through Ceredigion County Council via a £1.4bn Welsh Government support package for all businesses listed on the business rates register, covering Business Rate Relief and Business Grants.

1. Business Rate Relief

Retail, leisure and hospitality businesses with a rateable value of £500,000 or less will receive 100% business rates relief for the financial year 2020/21.

How to apply: Businesses do not need to do anything to access this. Ceredigion County Council officers will automatically process this as soon as they can directly with eligible businesses.

2. Grants for Businesses
Two types of grants are available to businesses that are registered to pay business rates on their premises on or before the 20th March 2020.

• Grant 1: A grant of £25,000 is being made available for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses occupying properties with a rateable value of between £12,001 and £51,000.

This means businesses that occupy properties such as shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas, live music venues, hotels, guest and boarding premises and self-catering accommodation.

• Grant 2: A £10,000 grant to all businesses eligible for Small Business Rates relief (SBRR) in Wales with a rateable value of £12,000 or less.

Please note that a multiple property restriction which applies to the Small Business Rates Relief scheme also applies to this grant. Therefore, the same ratepayer may only receive the grant for a maximum of two properties in each local authority area.

How to apply: A form will shortly be available here. 

Once you’ve made your application, we’d appreciate your patience in not following-up by phone.

We very much appreciate the major challenges being faced by businesses, and our staff will make every effort to get your payments to you as soon as possible. Staff are working are hard as they can, and payments can be expected within a fortnight.

Further Support

For support and advice, you are advised to contact Business Wales in the first instance. 

For further support from Ceredigion County Council, email cynnalycardi@ceredigion.gov.uk

27/03/2020