Business and investment

There are a range of local services available to support eligible businesses. From starting up to taking a fresh look, finding premises and growing, we can help.

You can find out more about how your business can benefit from free support services by following the link on this page or by contacting us at business@harrogate.gov.uk.

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For national guidance on reducing the spread of respiratory infections, including Covid-19, in the workplace  please visit the government's website

For information on national support for businesses please visit

• Covid-19 financial support for businesses from GOV.UK
• the national recovery loan scheme

Covid-19 Additional Relief Funding (CARF)

The Government has provided local authorities with additional funding to support businesses who have been (and continue to be) affected by the coronavirus pandemic but have not been eligible for existing business rate support.

This discretionary non-domestic rate relief is known as CARF relief. We have agreed on a local policy, with regard to government guidance, detailing the eligibility criteria and administration of the scheme.

Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund Discretionary Non-Domestic Rate Relief Policy

Based on the level of funding provided to Harrogate Borough Council and the potential businesses identified as eligible, the amount of relief is 60% in respect of 2021-2022 business rates liability.

Businesses are eligible to receive rate relief under this scheme where:

• the qualifying premises is occupied during 2021-22 (temporary closures due to Covid-19 restrictions are ignored)
• the ratepayer occupying the premises has been adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and has been unable to adequately adapt to that impact

Businesses will not be considered for this relief where:

• the ratepayer is in receipt of an extended retail discount or nursery discount
• the premises are classified as unoccupied for non-domestic rating purposes
• the ratepayer is in receipt of an existing relief amounting to 100%
• the rate payer is subject to subsidy control

We have conducted an exercise to identify those accounts where we believe the relief is applicable. Revised bills have been issued from 4 April 2022. Where a business that has not received a revised 2021-22 non-domestic rates bill showing an award of CARF by 30 April 2022, but believes they may qualify they should contact us.

The government's website has information on how new Brexit rules apply to travel and doing business with Europe, including importing and exporting.