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As the country moves into Phase 2 of the Government’s Roadmap to Recovery, small businesses that have managed to operate through the pandemic, recently reopened or are due to reopen are being encouraged to apply for the Local Authority Restart Grant through Waterford City and County Council.

The Restart Grant gives direct grant aid to micro and small businesses to help them with the costs associated with reopening and reemploying workers following COVID-19 closures and is available to businesses with a turnover of less than €5m and employing 50 people or less, which were closed or impacted by at least a 25% reduction in turnover up to June 30th, 2020.

Businesses due to reopen under Phase 2 (June 8th) include small retail outlets and marts.

Michael Walsh, Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council said the grant, is based on the equivalent to the rates bill of the business in 2019 and if a company is currently in a rateable premise but was not rate-assessed in 2019 it is still eligible to apply.

“Now that we are moving into Phase 2, more and more small businesses will be in a position to reopen.  Some will have continued to operate but will have experienced a loss in revenue and staff numbers while bearing ongoing costs.  For others, the cost of reopening will be a challenge.  The Restart Grant, which is a minimum of €2,000 and maximum of €10,000, can be used to help defray ongoing fixed costs or meet the cost of reopening, such as replenishing stock or implementing the necessary health and safety protocols to ensure customer and employee safety.”

“Small retail businesses due to open in Phase 2 should apply for the grant via Waterford City and County Council and they will be prioritised.  As we gradually move into the next phases and more sectors open up, these businesses should apply.  Over the coming weeks and months in Phases 3, 4 and 5 more retail outlets, offices, restaurants, hotels, cafes, pubs, childcare facilities and indoor recreational centres are scheduled to reopen.  These businesses too should begin the process of applying for the Restart grant in order to avoid delay.”

Applications for the Restart Grant can be made via www.waterfordcouncil.ie and the closing date for receipt of applications is August 31st, 2020.

Processing of applications and payment of the Restart Grant will depend on the initial surge of applications but, as far as is feasible, will be prioritised according to scheduled re-opening dates in the national Roadmap.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:

About the Restart Grant

Micro and small businesses are particularly vulnerable to the economic effects of Covid-19.  Many businesses, even while closed, continue to incur costs including fixed costs without being able to generate revenues.  It is recognised that businesses will also incur costs in preparing their businesses to reopen and meeting the needs of employees and customers.  The Restart Grant is designed to alleviate the pressure on businesses in this context.

To avail of the Restart Grant, a business must be in the Local Authorities Commercial Rates Payment System and:

• have an annual turnover of less than €5m and employ between 1 to 50 people
• have closed and/or suffered a projected 25%+ loss in turnover to end June 2020
  commit to remain open or to reopen if it was closed
• declare the intention to retaining employees that are on The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS)

Business Categories, based on the Government’s Roadmap for a phased re-opening of the economy, are as set out below:

Phase 1 (18 May)
Hardware, garden centres, opticians, motor/cycle repairs, office products, electrical, IT equipment, phone sales/repairs, outdoor construction, public amenities.
Phase 2 (8 June)
Small retail outlets, marts.
Phase 3 (29 June)
Creches for essential workers, retail outlets with street entrance, cafes, and restaurants for on-premises consumption.
Phase 4 (20 July)
Creches, ‘high-risk’ services including hairdressers, tourism accommodation.
Phase 5 (10 August)
Bars, theatres, cinemas, gyms, shopping centres.
For further information:

Karen Cheevers

B2B Communications

086 2300700