More subsidies for NI businesses struggling in face of coronavirus

Stormont finance minister Conor Murphy said that the new business support grants amount to a total of £173m.

They are as follows:

l £50,000 for businesses with an net annual value of over £51,000 and which are eligible for the 12 months rates holiday; this covers shops, car showrooms, garden centres, gyms and more.

As with the previous grant schemes, only one grant will be paid for businesses with multiple premises (payments must be applied for).

l A £25,000 payment for manufacturers with an net annual value between £15,001 and £51,000 (payments will be automatic).

l A £10,000 for businesses that already received the £25,000 Retail, Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Grant, and have not been paid the Localised Business Support Scheme or the Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme: Part B (payments will be automatic)

l A £5,000 grant for businesses that received the £10,000 Small Business Support Grant and have not received the and have not been paid the Localised Business Support Scheme or the Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme: Part B.

Eligible businesses include ‘essential retail’ currently allowed to remain open (hardware, butchers, bakeries, convenience stores, pet shops, lawyers, dentists, solicitors (payments will be automatic).