British Independent Retailers Association to challenge 'anomaly' in grant funding

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is fighting what it describes as an “anomaly” in Government grant funding to support firms during the coronavirus pandemic.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a package of measures to support businesses during the pandemicChancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a package of measures to support businesses during the pandemic
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a package of measures to support businesses during the pandemic

Bira member Tim Asquith, of Frankie & Johnny’s Cookshop in York, is one of almost 3,700 small independent retailers who claim they will miss out on cash , due to a change in bracketing since the scheme was announced.

Mr Asquith said: “When the support was announced I studied the conditions carefully on the Government website. It seemed that as a retail business with a rateable value of exactly £15,000 we were entitled to a business rate ‘holiday’ for 12 months and a £25,000 grant.”

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However, the information has since been changed so that only properties with an RV of between £15,001 and £51,000 will get the £25,000 grant, Mr Asquith said.

Mr Asquth said his company’s ‘actual’ RV is £15,164 but it has been ‘rounded down’ in accordance with Valuation Office Agency (VOA) policy. As a result he will only receive a £10,000 grant.

Mr Asquith said: “I do feel that the initiatives and speed of response from the Government have been good but I think that either the Government should stand by their initial information - now altered - or apologise for misleading businesses.”

A Government spokesperson said: “We are taking unprecedented action to support businesses and protect jobs – and delivering it at pace.

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“That includes making grants to businesses worth more than £12 billion to support firms, of which over £1.2 billion has already been distributed to more than 96,000 small businesses.”

The spokesman confirmed that guidance on the grant schemes has been issued to Local Authorities.

For more information visit https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/

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