Financial support for restaurants during the shutdown

Governments are offering financial relief to business owners and their staff. If you’ve been impacted by the shutdowns, it’s worth checking what help you have available to you.

Here’s a list of resources that will help you stay afloat. We’ll keep the list updated for you as other countries and localities announce their plans.

Updated 30 March: Added City of Melbourne business grants information

Updated 28 March: added UK Government information, updated Australia information

United Kingdom

The UK Government has ordered a shutdown on services like restaurants, bars, and cafés. However, food delivery and takeaway is still considered essential. And you’re allowed to make this a new activity for your business.

See an overview of what’s allowed as a hospitality business in the UK

Find more detailed information to suit your situation

The UK Government has set up both a job retention scheme and few different ways to get financial support. This is aimed at supporting UK employers and their staff so they can continue paying part of their employees’ salary.

Find out more on the UK Government website: Wage Claim
Full Guidance from the UK Government

Australia 

The shutdown takes different forms with varying degrees of closure and restrictions according to which state you’re in. The Australian Government has announced measures to support businesses impacted by COVID-19.

Access to financial support in Australia

The Australian Taxation Office has created a line to call and request assistance based on your particular circumstances. The Emergency Support Infoline is 1800 806 218. Someone will discuss your situation with you and help you work out the best steps.

Find out more on the Australian Government website

City of Melbourne Covid-19 business Grants

City of Melbourne is offering $5 million in grants for small to medium-sized businesses and non-profit organisations to invest in online and e-commerce capabilities, take part in training and professional development, and undertake capital works.

Online and e-commerce funding covers

• website design and development
• e-commerce platforms (selling online and receiving payments)
• online content development (web pages, mobile apps, audio and visual media)
• digital marketing and promotion
• mentoring and training in online and e-commerce activities.

Find out more on the City of Melbourne website

New Zealand

The New Zealand Government announced on March 23 that all non-essential businesses will have to shut for at least 4 weeks from Wednesday, 25 March as the official Covid-19 Alert Level is raised to 4. This means restaurants, bars, and cafés — even those offering delivery — are on the list of non-essential businesses and need to shut down for the duration of the Level 4 alert.

Access to financial support in New Zealand

Restaurants, bars, and cafés have access to a partial remedy that the Government put together through Work and Income NZ for employers affected by the Covid-19 shutdowns. Their package is a Wage Subsidy and Leave Payment for employers affected by COVID-19.

Find out more about this employer support package

Inland Revenue have put together some information about: 

• Tax relief for individuals
• Tax relief for businesses
• Information on writing-off Use of Money Interest (UOMI)

The proposal to write-off Use of Money Interest (UOMI) is for businesses who won’t be able to make their tax payment on time.

Find out more on Inland Revenue’s website

We’ll keep the list updated for you as other countries and localities announce their plans.

Fast-tracked digital ordering

We’re helping Restaurants get online fast, so they can keep serving their customers.

We’ve put together a package with discounted pricing and an accelerated onboarding time.

We’ve also added options for delivery and curbside pickup