Discretionary business grant scheme launched for firms affected by Covid-19

A new grant scheme to support small businesses affected by Covid-19 has been launched by Tendring District Council (TDC), with support of up to £25k on offer.

The council has received £1.7million from the Government to support small businesses who have lost income due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Run to national criteria, the Discretionary Business Grant Scheme is administered by TDC which has some flexibility to get the most from the funding locally.

Neil Stock OBE, TDC Leader, said the council wanted to help as many local businesses as possible.

“We know many Tendring businesses are hard-hit by Covid-19, and although a lot of financial support has been made available there are firms who still need support,” Cllr Stock said.

“Our localised scheme will help a new group of businesses to survive the impacts caused by this pandemic, particularly in our district which has a number of small businesses and B&Bs.

“We want to help Tendring get back to business, and our scheme allows us to focus support where it is most needed and most effective in our district.”

The Government has set priority sectors as those companies in shared office space, market stall holders, bed and breakfasts and charities – though other small firms are encouraged to apply if they meet the eligibility criteria.

To qualify businesses must also have a high proportion of fixed property costs, and be able to demonstrate they have suffered financially due to Covid-19.

To be able to support as many businesses as possible within the limited funding made available, it is expected the majority of grants will be between £2,000 and £10,000, but in exceptional circumstances they could be up to £25,000.

Applications are made online at www.tendringdc.gov.uk/coronavirus and firms have until 14 June to apply.

All of the bids will then be assessed so the funding can be prioritised according to the criteria. Payments to those successful are expected to be made the following week.

Mary Newton, TDC Cabinet Member for Business and Economic Growth, encouraged all eligible businesses to apply even if they are not on the Government’s priority list.

“We want to help as many businesses as possible with the limited amount of money we have; but should your business not qualify or be successful then please remember there are a number of other national schemes available to support your business,” Cllr Newton added.

The TDC scheme is not open to businesses which qualify for existing Covid-19 grants, such as the Small Business Grant Scheme, or the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Scheme.

3/6/2020

NEWSDESKS

For more information on this news release contact Tendring District Council’s Communications Manager Will Lodge on 01255 686338.