New supports have been made available for businesses in Northern Ireland forced to close due to health protection restrictions, including the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme. Cafes, pubs, restaurants, hotels, hairdressers, beauty salons, campsites and museums are just some of the businesses that may be eligible for the new scheme, under which businesses operating within a commercial property will receive the following amounts (based on the total Net Annual Value of the property from which the business operates) for every week the restrictions apply:

• Lower rate (up to £15,000 Net Annual Value) – £800
• Standard rate (£15,001 - £51,000 Net Annual Value) – £1,200
• Higher rate (over £51,000 Net Annual Value) – £1,600

Businesses that did not qualify for this scheme may qualify for the new Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme which opened shortly after the Local Restrictions Support Scheme.