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Time is running out to apply for the Government’s discretionary top-up grant for small businesses.
The closing date for applications was extended to 28 August to allow more time for small and micro businesses to apply but the deadline is closing in, and there’s still money available.
Still money available
Leader of Council Councillor Chris Whitbread said:
There’s still money available in the additional funding from Government to support local businesses at this exceptional time.
As a local council we are working hard to get our High Streets up and running to help regenerate our local economy and would encourage local businesses to apply.
Government grant of £1.49m
Here’s who may be elegible for a share of the £1.49m:
- Bed and breakfasts
- Small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces
- Regular market traders
- Charity properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief
The council wishes to support these types of businesses:
- Events, hospitality or leisure businesses that require premises for storage of goods or equipment and the occupying business has not received a Business Grant relating to another business property
- Properties not described as ‘shop and premises’ or similar within the rating list but undertake retail sales open to the public at the premises
- Business operating in an incubation environment and who are the ratepayer of the premises
- Businesses involved in manufacture for retail
The UK Government has given local councils discretion about how to prioritise this funding.
£29m to 2,500 businesses
The council has already paid out around £29m to 2,500 businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality industry who qualified for payments under the small business grant scheme announced in April. In fact it was the most successful Council in Essex in reacting swiftly to support the local economy.
This second tranche of money is targeted specifically at small and micro businesses that have suffered financial losses since the COVID-19 outbreak and have not previously received any support.
Priority to local businesses
Councillors want to see businesses with viable local links that offer local employment opportunities, and those that have been established in the district for many years, given priority, along with emphasis on small manufacturing businesses serving the retail industry.
Details and how to apply
You can find details of who qualifies for the grant and how you can apply online on our discretionary grant fund page.
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