The government’s three Coronavirus business interruption loan schemes – the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) – and the Future Fund will be extended to 31 January 2021. Eligible businesses will be able to ‘top up’ existing Bounce Back Loans should they need additional finance.

The grant is designed to help businesses to improve their commercial premises by providing financial support towards the cost of building improvement works. The primary purpose of the scheme is to increase and/or improve business accommodation and to help create new employment opportunities. Funding is targeted at eligible Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) located in GBSLEP area and delivering activities within the B1 and B2 planning categories (manufacturing and processing, office uses, business-to-business activities).

You can use the Kickstart Scheme to create new 6-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. The job placements should support the participants to develop the skills and experience they need to find work after completing the scheme.

HMRC has extended the deadline for customs training funding, helping business upskill staff in making customs declarations. Applications are open until 30 June 2021 (or until all funding is allocated).

You may receive a grant of up to £1,500 at the discretion of your local council if:

• your business is required to close but you do not pay business rates
• if your business is not required to close, but has been severely affected, for example as a result of customer businesses being closed
• Your local council will publish details of discretionary funding on their website

Business Growth Programme 2 offers grants of £2,500 to £1,000,000 and is designed to strengthen supply chains, stimulate innovation and help businesses grow. The programme is available to:

• Start-Up B2B Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) moving into or located in The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership area only
• Existing B2B SMEs moving into or located in The Greater Birmingham & Solihull and The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership areas

The Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) supports businesses that were open as usual, providing services in person to customers from their business premises, but which were then required to close for at least 3 weeks due to local lockdown restrictions imposed by government. It is for businesses that pay business rates on their premises. Local councils may at their discretion also provide funding for businesses that don’t pay business rates.