MORE businesses are eligible for grants from Hillingdon Council during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will also allow firms that were forced to close and who are expected to resume trading.

The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG), which supports businesses affected by national and tier restrictions, will offer help to more sectors that can demonstrate they have been severely impacted, with reduced turnover of 30 per cent or more.

It includes closed firms that don’t pay business rates, those in hospitality, leisure and accommodation that do not pay rates and have not been required to close but are still severely impacted, and those that pay rates but were unable to access earlier grants.

Initially, the council paid this grant to rate-paying businesses in the hospitality (pubs and clubs), leisure (sports and social clubs) and accommodation sectors who were able to demonstrate they have been severely impacted.

The following sectors are now included: 

  • supply chain to the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors  
  • events supply chain, including weddings and related services
  • travel, tourism and airport support services    
  • supply chain to retail and construction
  • personal and professional trainers/instructors  
  • professional services

Essential food shops and pharmacies are not covered.

For details,visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/local-business-grants