Vaughan Gething MS, Economy Minister
Following the First Minister announcement on the 18 June that our full move to alert level one is being paused for at least a further four weeks as a result of the delta variant, I have announced a further round of the Economic Resilience Fund (ERF) targeted at businesses that continue to be materially affected by Covid-19 restrictions on their operation.
This round of the ERF will provide emergency and transition grants of up to £25k to eligible businesses to help meet their operating costs (excluding staff wages) for the period between 1st July 2021 and 31st August 2021.
The package will provide grants to businesses that remain closed or continue to be materially affected by Covid-19 alert level 2 and the transition to alert level one restrictions.
The ERF will support businesses that are either:
a) Forced to remain closed or unable to trade by on-going restrictions between 1st July 2021 and 31st August 2021
b) Event space and attractions severely impacted by ongoing social distancing regulations
c) Other businesses which were unable to open indoors before 17th May 2021, with >60% impact on turnover as a result of ongoing restrictions
d) A supply chain business that generates 60% or more of its sales revenue from businesses falling into categories a), b) and/or c)
And (applies to all):
e) Have experienced a severe impact through reduced turnover of 60% or more in July and August 2021 as compared to July and August 2019 caused directly by on-going COVID-19 restrictions.
The scheme will be delivered in partnership with local authorities. The Welsh Government delivering the grant support for businesses with an annual turnover of above £85k and Local Authorities for businesses with an annual turnover below £85k.
An eligibility checker detailing how much businesses with be eligible to apply for and details on how to apply will be available on the Business Wales website from 12pm on 5th July.
Eligible businesses will need to submit a simple online application and declaration to apply even if they have received funding through previous rounds of ERF. The eligibility checker will direct businesses to the right place to make their application.
The application stage will open on 13th July and remain open until 12pm Tuesday 27th July.
This will be the final package of emergency support for those that are able to trade, unless the pandemic causes us to re-introduce closures or very significant trading restrictions.