Business Premises Support Scheme open for applications

The Department for Enterprise has announced the launch of the Business Premises Support Scheme, which provides further financial support to businesses and the self-employed, alongside a comprehensive existing suite of measures.

The Business Premises Support Scheme opened for applications yesterday (Wednesday 31^st March), and eligible businesses are invited to apply online through the Department for Enterprise website.

The Business Premises Support Scheme operates in two parts and, dependant on specific eligibility criteria for each, a business may be able to claim for either or both parts of the Scheme for multiple commercial premises. 

Part 1 – Rates Payment

• Offers financial support in the form of a grant payment to eligible businesses equivalent to an annual rates bill for each of its commercial premises.
• Open to all businesses who operate in sectors omitted from 'excluded sectors' listed in the Scheme Guidance available on the Department for Enterprise website.
• Can be claimed alongside other Coronavirus support Schemes, including the Manx Earnings Replacement Allowance, Salary Support Scheme and CBSS – Circuit Break (March 2021).

Part 2 - £250 Payment

• Offers a one-off payment of £250 for each of a business’ commercial premises.
• Available exclusively to hospitality and catering sector businesses which would usually open during a weekend, and either closed early or remained closed over the weekend of Saturday 27^th and Sunday 28^th February 2021, in line with Government Coronavirus advice issued that weekend.
• Can be claimed alongside other Coronavirus support Schemes, including the Manx Earnings Replacement Allowance, Salary Support Scheme and CBSS – Circuit Break (March 2021).

Applicants are encouraged to read the full Scheme Guidance before applying. Businesses and self-employed individuals who are unsure of their eligibility can complete the Department for Enterprise business enquiry form available at https://www.gov.im/businessenquiries or call the Department for Enterprise on 01624 686400 for assistance.

More information and a link to apply online for the Business Premises Support Scheme can be found at: https://www.departmentforenterprise.im/cbss-bpss/ 

Laurence Skelly MHK, Minister for Enterprise, commented:

‘Whilst support to date has been significant and has reached those businesses, individuals and self-employed persons that need it, we recognise that the current restrictions are having a continued impact on some sectors, in particular those operating within the Hospitality and certain domestic sectors.

We are responding to feedback that these sectors have experienced particularly difficult trading conditions given the relative quick succession of the two lockdown periods, compounded by poor weather in February. I am pleased that this new scheme represents a further investment of up to £7.38 million directly to those businesses who provide these services to our Island.’

The Business Premises Support Scheme has been established alongside other Coronavirus support for the Island’s residents and business sector, which have recently been extended.

An overview of the support available for employers, self-employed persons and individuals can be found below:

Employers

• COVID-19 Salary Support Scheme - for businesses who employ one or more employees and have been adversely affected by current restrictions
  https://covid19.gov.im/businesses/funding-support/salary-support-scheme/
• Isle of Man Disruption Loan Guarantee Agreement
  https://covid19.gov.im/businesses/funding-support/isle-of-man-disruption-loan-guarantee-agreement/
• Coronavirus Recovery Scheme
  https://covid19.gov.im/businesses/funding-support/coronavirus-recovery-scheme/
• Strategic Capacity Scheme – for Tourist Accommodation
  https://covid19.gov.im/businesses/funding-support/strategic-capacity-scheme/   
• CBSS – Circuit Break (March 2021) - for Businesses
  https://covid19.gov.im/businesses/funding-support/coronavirus-business-support-scheme/
• Isle of Man Working Capital Loan Agreement
  https://covid19.gov.im/businesses/funding-support/coronavirus-business-working-capital-loan-agreement/

Self-employed

• Tourism/Travel CBSS for Sole Traders/Self-Employed
  https://covid19.gov.im/businesses/funding-support/coronavirus-business-support-scheme/
• MERA – for Individuals and Self-Employed
  https://covid19.gov.im/businesses/funding-support/manx-earnings-replacement-allowance-mera/
• CBSS – Circuit Break (March 2021) - for Self-Employed
  https://covid19.gov.im/businesses/funding-support/coronavirus-business-support-scheme/

Employees

• MERA
  https://covid19.gov.im/businesses/funding-support/manx-earnings-replacement-allowance-mera/

For more information on the support which has been made available for businesses throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, visit: www.gov.im/coronavirus