The Government has announced a discretionary fund that has been set up to accommodate certain small businesses previously outside the scope of the business grant funds scheme https://www.gov.uk/government/news/top-up-to-local-business-grant-funds-scheme
This additional fund is aimed at small businesses with ongoing fixed property-related costs. The government are asking local authorities to prioritise businesses in shared spaces, regular market traders, small charity properties that would meet the criteria for Small Business Rates Relief, and bed and breakfasts that pay council tax rather than business rates. But local authorities may choose to make payments to other businesses based on local economic need. The allocation of funding will be at the discretion of local authorities.
Businesses must be small, under 50 employees, and they must also be able to demonstrate that they have seen a significant drop of income due to Coronavirus restriction measures.
Further guidance and funding allocations for local authorities will be set out shortly by Government. We will update our website once this has been released with further details on how to apply.