Liverpool City Region “Trading On Scheme” Grant Extended

The pandemic has had a significant impact on the economy of the Liverpool City Region. Due to the success of the Liverpool City Region Local Authorities in disbursing £40.5m of Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) funding prior to the deadline of 30 June 2021, the Government has extended support to the City Region and an additional £8.1m of funding has been allocated.

Each Local Authority of Liverpool City Region has received a small amount of funding based on per head of population. This £8.1m funding represents only 20% of the original £40.5m, and therefore the funding will not be able to support every business.

The new tranche of ARG is intended to support small and medium-sized businesses and small and medium-sized charities in any sector that (in some cases) may not have been previously eligible for previous ARG schemes, but that can evidence that they have been severely impacted by coronavirus restrictions.

Those businesses that have already applied are being prioritised for appraisal and do not need to reapply.

In administering the grant, the Liverpool City Region Local Authorities will adopt the following priorities:

• Providing the greatest assistance to eligible small and medium-sized businesses and small and medium-sized businesses charities;
• Providing support to as many eligible organisations as possible within the available financial resource;
• Using a simple and efficient grant application process; and
• Ensuring that there is proper due diligence and that fraud and error is avoided.

The Window for applications opens 10.00 am Monday 29th November 2021 and closes 5.00 pm Friday 10th December 2021.

All businesses/charities must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be able to accept the grant under Subsidy Control/State Aid rules.
• Be viable and trading on or before1 April 2021.
• Employ globally between 10 and 249 Full Time Equivalents (FTE) working at least 35 hours per week and are on payroll (sub-contracted staff are not counted towards the headcount). See below:

– A staff member working 35 hours is classed as 1 FTE

– A staff member working 70 hours per week would still be classed as 1 FTE

Part-time staff can be aggregated for example:

– 2 part time staff working 21 hours each would be the equivalent of 1.2 FTE

– 3 part time staff working 7 hours per week would be the equivalent of 0.6 FTE

Up to date RTI/payroll evidence will be required (and verified in the accountant’s letter) for all staff working in the Liverpool City Region.

• Be based and have commercial property-related costs in Liverpool City Region and be able to evidence 2021 annual rental costs including service charge and annual business rates (where applicable).
• Be able to demonstrate that the business has been severely impacted as a result Covid-19. Note: The business will be asked for proof of severe impact from Covid-19 (e.g. loss of turnover, income) in the form of a letter from a suitably qualified accountant, using the template provided.

We would like to encourage eligible businesses to apply here