Qualification for retail, hospitality or leisure business rates relief due to coronavirus

It has been brought to our attention this afternoon that there is some confusion around who qualifies for the “retail, hospitality or leisure business rates relief due to coronavirus” You can find out more about how it works locally here… https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/my-business/business-rates-payments/covid-19-business-grants/covid-19-grants/ However, at the moment, there is no definitive list of what activities are or are not included. We are hearing that trades that you thought might not be included have received the grant in their areas. So, our advice is, if you fall into one of these categories it is well worth claiming to see if you will receive the grant…(It could be the difference between getting £10k and £25k)

Here’s the list (taken from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/877758/Expanded_Retail_Discount_Guidance_02.04.20.pdf) Shops (such as: florists, bakers, butchers, grocers, greengrocers, jewellers, stationers, off licences, chemists, newsagents, hardware stores, supermarkets, etc) ✅ Charity shops ✅ Opticians ✅ Post offices ✅ Furnishing shops/ display rooms (such as: carpet shops, double glazing, garage doors) ✅ Car/caravan showrooms ✅ Second-hand car lots ✅ Markets ✅ Petrol stations ✅ Garden centres ✅ Art galleries (where art is for sale/hire) ✅ Hair and beauty services (such as: hairdressers, nail bars, beauty salons, tanning shops, etc) ✅ Shoe repairs/key cutting ✅ Travel agents ✅ Ticket offices e.g. for theatre ✅ Dry cleaners ✅ Launderettes ✅ PC/TV/domestic appliance repair ✅ Funeral directors ✅ Photo processing ✅ Tool hire ✅ Car hire ✅ Employment agencies ✅ Estate agents and letting agents ✅ Betting shops ✅ Restaurants ✅ Takeaways ✅ Sandwich shops ✅ Coffee shops ✅ Pubs ✅ Bars ✅ Sports grounds and clubs ✅ Museums and art galleries ✅ Nightclubs ✅ Sport and leisure facilities ✅ Stately homes and historic houses ✅ Theatres ✅ Tourist attractions ✅ Gyms ✅ Wellness centres, spas, massage parlours ✅ Casinos, gambling clubs and bingo halls ✅ Public halls ✅ Clubhouses, clubs and institutions ✅ Hotels, Guest and Boarding Houses ✅ Holiday homes ✅ Caravan parks and sites The list below sets out the types of uses that the Government does not consider to be an eligible use for the purpose of this relief. However, we have heard that some local authorities are paying out for these too… ❌ Financial services (e.g. banks, building societies, cash points, bureaux de change, short-term loan providers) ❌ Medical services (e.g. vets, dentists, doctors, osteopaths, chiropractors) ❌ Professional services (e.g. solicitors, accountants, insurance agents/financial advisers) ❌ Post office sorting offices Please drop me a line if you require any assistance or support. Have a great Easter weekend. Best wishes, Steve Steven Hillman ACA Chartered Accountant https://www.hillmans.co.uk/covid-19-updates