The Government has announced that there will be a grant given by local councils to help small businesses forced to close by law during the 4 week lockdown.
The amount available will be based on the rateable valuse of the premises and will be paid to the ratepayer.
Properties with a rateable value of £15,000 or less £1,334
Properties with a rateable value over £15,000 but less than £51,000 £2,000
Properties with a rateable value of £51,000 or over £3,000
Businesses that can operate remotely and do not rely on direct person-to-person sales are excluded from the scheme i.e. accountants. As are businesses that are in administration, subject to a striking off notice or are insolvent.
As of the date writing this (11/11/2020) Walsall Council have not opened the application process yet but details can be found here when the grant application is available.
The following is a list from Gov.uk website of businesses that have been mandated to close:
Non-essential retail, such as clothing and homeware stores, vehicle showrooms (other than for rental), betting shops, tailors, tobacco and vape shops, electronic goods and mobile phone shops, and market stalls selling non-essential goods. These venues can continue to be able to operate click-and-collect (where goods are pre-ordered and collected off the premises) and delivery services
Hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs; with the exception of providing food and drink for takeaway (before 10pm; and not including alcohol), click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery
Accommodation such as hotels, hostels, guest houses and campsites. Except for specific circumstances, such as where these act as someone’s main residence, where they cannot return home, for homeless people, or where it is essential to stay there for work purposes
Leisure and sports facilities such as leisure centres and gyms, swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, golf courses, fitness and dance studios, climbing walls, archery, driving, and shooting ranges
Entertainment venues such as theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums and galleries, casinos, amusement arcades, bingo halls, bowling alleys, skating rinks, go-karting venues, soft play centres and areas, circuses, funfairs, zoos and other animal attractions, water parks, theme parks. Indoor attractions at botanical gardens, heritage homes and landmarks must also close, though outdoor grounds of these premises can stay open
Personal care facilities such as hair, beauty, tanning and nail salons. Tattoo parlours, spas, massage parlours, body and skin piercing services must also close. It is also prohibited to provide these services in other peoples’ homes
Community centres and halls must close except for a limited number of exempt activities as set out below Libraries can also remain open to provide access to IT and digital services - for example for people who do not have it at home - and for click-and-collect
Places of worship, apart from for the purposes of independent prayer, and service broadcasting and funerals
For more details check out https://go.walsall.gov.uk/business/business_rates