Council announces support package for riot-hit businesses

Manchester City Council is writing to businesses affected by the Tuesday 9 August riots outlining a raft of support available to them.

The Council has announced details of its High Street Support Scheme which includes scope to reduce business rates temporarily for riot-affected businesses, whatever their size.

Further help is available to small and medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 250 employees worldwide and an annual turnover of less than £33.5 million. This includes helping to meet the cost of repairs and recovery, and marketing to help attract customers back into the city centre.

Some businesses may also be eligible for grants of up to £2,500 or loans.

In addition, claims can be made by groups of businesses to support the recovery of a commercial district, and these do not necessarily have to small or medium-sized enterprises.

The scheme is not intended to replace other claims against business insurance or the Riot Damages Act.

Support is available both for businesses which were physically damaged in the disturbances and those whose trade suffered in the aftermath.

Among the costs which the funding can contribute towards are temporary accommodation, non-recoverable insurance excesses and clean-up costs.

Councillor Jeff Smith, Executive Member for Finance and Human Resources for Manchester City Council, said: "Manchester is a city which always takes a pragmatic approach to encouraging business and job creation and we always try to do what we can to support their needs.

"This is more important than ever in the wake of the Tuesday 9 August riots which had an impact on many city centre businesses. As well as highlighting the range of support available, the council are also taking our own steps to give a helping hand to affected businesses."

Vaughan Allen, chief executive of CityCo, Manchester's city centre management company said: "It's great to have this support for businesses in the city centre. Our team has visited nearly 300 businesses offering reassurance and the opportunity to speak to senior police officers. In return hundreds of businesses are showing their support for the I Love Manchester campaign by creating special offers to encourage people to shop."

Lucy Thorniley, owner of Northern Flower florist shop on Tib Street, said: "This kind of support is really welcome. There are a lot of businesses like mine who weren't affected directly on the night but suffered from a loss of trade in the days following. The I Love Manchester campaign with free Metrolink and suspended street parking last weekend has really helped get us back on our feet. The business community has really come together to turn things around and this is fantastic."

Although the closing date for applications is 4pm on Friday 30 September, affected businesses are encouraged to respond earlier so applications can be processed as quickly as possible.

Claims can be made via the Council's website or using a form which has been provided to businesses.

The council, working in partnership with Marketing Manchester and the Manchester Arndale, is also driving the I Love MCR campaign to demonstrate pride in our city and encourage people to shop, eat, drink and socialise in the city centre.

For further information business owners can visit

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/helpinghands or call (0161) 2341103 where our business rates team can direct them to additional business support where appropriate.

CASE STUDIES

Example One
Café in the Northern Quarter

The café had its windows broken and stock stolen, including the computer that held the company accounts. Their van was also damaged. Although the café is now trading as normal, they are waiting for insurance payments to come through and need to buy new stock.

The café has a potential claim of £800 to meet insurance excess for windows, £250 to cover insurance excess for repairs to their van, £1,000 to pay a computer expert and accountant to recover company and financial records and £120 for call-out fees to secure the building.

The scheme could also a repayable loan of £1,000 to support the purchase of stock.
 
Example Two
Hairdressers near Deansgate

The hairdressers suffered no damage to its premises but the immediate aftermath of the disturbances saw appointments cancelled and booking reduce by 30 per cent.

The business could potentially grant £800 towards an advertising campaign and £400 hardship relief award against business rates for the next three months. It could also claim £800 towards the cost of an advertising campaign.
 
Example Three
Restaurant in the Northern Quarter

The restaurant had windows broken and was ransacked, with alcohol stolen and furniture damaged.

The business has a potential claim of £1,500 to meet insurance excess, £200 for security costs to make the building secure, £800 for clean up and repair costs and £200 hardship relief on business rates. It is also eligible for a loan of £2,000 pending its insurance claim being paid.

Example Four
A group of small independent clothing businesses

These businesses seen their footfall and takings drop by 30 per cent compared to the week before the disturbances, and a similar period last year.

They want to carry out a joint advertising campaign to show their area remains open for business.

The group could be awarded a grant of up to £1,000 to fund the advertising campaign.