Businesses affected by local lockdown restrictions in Bolton will now be eligible for grants of up to £1,500 each, the government announced today (Thursday 1 October).

Last month the government announced further funding for local authorities to support businesses required to close as part of localised lockdowns to control the spread of COVID-19.

Certain businesses in Bolton have been closed for 3 weeks, making them eligible for this support. Those that are eligible will have a period of several weeks in which they can claim the money they are entitled to for the 3 weeks they were in lockdown.

This funding will allow Bolton Council to distribute grants to businesses that fit the following criteria:

• eligible business properties with rateable values of less than £51,000 will receive a grant of £1,000
• eligible business properties with rateable values of £51,000 and over will receive a grant of £1,500
• eligible businesses with more than one affected property will receive a grant in respect of each property

Business Minister Paul Scully said:

We understand how difficult it is for businesses required to close as part of localised lockdowns, but we must take action to reduce the spread of COVID-19 while minimising damage to lives and livelihoods.

We have put in place a wide-ranging package of support to help struggling businesses and today’s announcement means Bolton Council can start distributing cash grants to those who need it, helping them through this challenging time.

In addition, Bolton Council will receive an additional 5% of funding to run a local discretionary grant fund which could be used to support businesses that do not pay business rates and other severely impacted businesses that are prioritised locally.

As with the grants to business-rate paying businesses, this additional top-up grant will be paid every 3 weeks to businesses where closures persist.

From Saturday 3 October, Bolton will be brought in line with measures in place throughout the rest of Greater Manchester as case rates have fallen.

This means hospitality businesses including bars, pubs, cafes, restaurants can resume table service subject to early 10pm closure and the rule of 6 restrictions, and other businesses such as bowling alleys, indoor skating rinks, casinos, soft play and conference centres and exhibit halls will also be able to reopen in Bolton.