COVID-19 Emergency Support Programme Update

7th January 2021

Following the announcement of new national restrictions, the Government has announced new one-off top up grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England to help them through to the spring.

The grants will be provided as follows:

  • £4,000 for businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or under
  • £6,000 for businesses with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
  • £9,000 for businesses with a rateable value of over £51,000

The new one-off grants are in additions to existing business support, including grants worth up to £3,000 for closed businesses, and up to £2,100 per month for impacted businesses once they reopen.

Grants are to be delivered via local authorities, who will be the best initial point of contact for further information.

The following support is also available from Government for businesses impacted by the national restrictions:


ECB emergency support programmes, including Return to Cricket Grants and Emergency Loans, remain open to Clubs and Leagues.  The closing date for Return to Cricket Grants has been extended to March and will be kept under review.  Further details can be found here or below.

The scheme aims to support affiliated cricket clubs and leagues (open-age and junior) within England and Wales, during the COVID-19 crisis, by providing emergency grant funding to help cover any shortfall in the preparation, essential day-to-day running and maintenance costs of facilities following the resumption of recreational cricket.

Key changes to the scheme are:

  • The removal of the recommended turnover limit.
  • The removal of differentiation in grant level between clubs with junior sections and adult only clubs.
  • Clubs and leagues can now apply for a maximum grant award of £3,000.
  • Eligible costs for the scheme include adapting to comply with COVID-19 guidelines and pitch renovation costs as well as ongoing fixed/contracted costs.

How do I apply?

A list of the what the scheme will fund can be found here.

Before considering an application, it is highly recommended that clubs and leagues read the Return to Cricket Grant Scheme Guidance Notes to determine if they are eligible to apply.

Please contact the NCB Cricket Development Director Lewis Denmark directly for an Application Form.

The scheme aims to support affiliated Cricket Clubs during the COVID-19 crisis by providing funding to assist clubs to cover any shortfall in the preparation, essential day-to-day running and maintenance costs of facilities following the resumption of recreational cricket.

The key changes to the scheme are:

  • The amounts that clubs can apply for have increased to £50,000 for clubs with a junior section and £20,000 for adult only clubs.  
  • Eligible costs for the scheme now include adapting to comply with COVID-19 guidelines and pitch renovation costs to help get games of cricket on.

How do I apply?

A list of what the scheme will fund can be found here.

Before applying, it is highly recommended clubs read the Emergency Loan Scheme Guidance Notes.

Clubs apply by clicking here.

If you have any questions about the scheme, please contact the ECB Facilities Help Desk by emailing here