Support for Bed and Breakfasts Paying Council Tax Grant
This fund has now been expanded to cover a wider range of businesses and is now called the Small Accommodation Providers Paying Council Tax Fund (SAP-CTF).
https://jsca.co.uk/the-support-for-small-accommodation-providers-paying-council-tax-fund-sap-ctf/
The Scottish Government has announced the details of the Support for Bed and Breakfasts Paying Council Tax Grant Fund.
The Fund has been set up to assist B&Bs in Scotland which have been adversely affected by the coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions.
Am I eligible?
B&Bs in Scotland that do not pay non-domestic rates but do pay council tax are eligible. The grants are only available to “registered serviced accommodation”.
‘Registered service accommodation’ refers to accommodation that had membership, accreditation, registration or simple listing with a recognised hospitality or tourism agency, representative body or marketing organisation (national or local) prior to March 2020.
This can include listing on digital or online marketing platforms, such as Booking.com or a community website. However, this is restricted to only those businesses marketing a B&B-type provision – not holiday, room or property lettings.
Alongside demonstrating a digital presence or other listing, other eligibility criteria are:
- must provide breakfast
- must be able to demonstrate at least 35% of individual income is from the affected B&B business
- evidence of active trading up to March 2020 and the intend to continue trading
- trading profits below £50,000 in the financial year 2019-2020
- being in business for at least a year and have filed trading accounts for 2018-2019.
How much funding is available?
There will be grants of £2,000 every four weeks which are equivalent to the Strategic Framework Business Fund Level 4 payments.
Payments will cover the period from when Level 4 restrictions came into effect on 26 December 2020 and the ongoing lockdown period, as long as Level 4 restrictions are in place.
This grant will not be retrospectively backdated to 2 November 2020.
How do I apply?
Local authorities will identify and invite eligible businesses to register for payment from 15 February 2021. There is no need to apply.
This fund has now been expanded to cover a wider range of businesses and is now called the Small Accommodation Providers Paying Council Tax Fund (SAP-CTF).
https://jsca.co.uk/the-support-for-small-accommodation-providers-paying-council-tax-fund-sap-ctf/
The information in this blog provides only an overview of Scottish Government guidance and legislation in force at the date of publication and no action should be taken without consulting the detailed Scottish Government guidance and legislation or seeking professional advice. Therefore no responsibility for loss occasioned by any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the material contained in this blog can be accepted by the firm.
Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash
