Many businesses are now back to “normal” service following 19th July being coined as ‘Freedom Day’ for people across the UK.
The government has now removed outstanding legal restrictions on social contact and life events, and all venues currently closed can safely reopen with no capacity limits.
This is great news for many businesses across the UK as they can start to recoup some of the financial losses experienced since the pandemic hit. However, for some this may still be a worrying time as they struggle to find the finances to get going again.
If you’re a Bradford business, you may be interested to find out whether Bradford council is offering financial support. The answer is, YES! They have a number of ways to support local Bradford businesses.
How is Bradford council supporting Bradford businesses?
Bradford council is offering small businesses a Small Business Rates Relief.
It is available to all businesses who occupy property with a rateable value of less than £14,999.
To qualify Bradford businesses must:
- Have their property as the sole or main property they occupy and must have a rateable value of less than £14,999, and
- If they occupy any additional properties, each of the additional properties must have a rateable value of less than £2,899 and the total rateable value of all of their properties must be less than £19,999, in which case the relief would be applied to the property with the highest rateable value
Also, businesses can occupy an additional property with a rateable value below £14,999, without losing entitlement to the relief on their original property, for an initial period of 12 months.
To apply, complete the small business rate relief form.
Bradford council is also offering those who are registered as a charity, support.
If your organisation is a registered charity or a charity that is exempt from registration or a registered community amateur sports club, it may get mandatory relief equivalent to 80% discount providing the premises are wholly or mainly occupied for charitable purposes.
Bradford Council also has the discretion to award a further 20% ‘top-up’ relief where 80% mandatory relief has already been allowed. However, this is only ever allowed in exceptional circumstances.
To apply, complete the mandatory relief form (PDF).
Bradford council is providing support for certain properties in rural areas.
The rural areas included must be contained in the council’s current rural settlements list which includes:
- Eastburn
- Harden
- Oxenhope
The council must give 100%* relief to the following properties which are situated in a rural settlement:
- Post Office – where it is the only Post Office in the settlement and has a rateable value of £8,500 or less
- General store – where it is the only general store in the settlement and has a rateable value of £8,500 or less
- All food stores – where they have a rateable value of £8,500 or less.
- Public houses – where they are the only public house in the settlement and has a rateable value of £12,500 or less
- Petrol station – where it is the only petrol station in the settlement and has a rateable value of £12,500 or less. How do I apply?
To apply, complete the rural rate relief form.
We hope this information has provided Bradford business owners with some help, however if you’re still unsure on how to progress with next steps for the future, we’re here to help.