25/11/2020 - Permalink

Coronavirus: Second phase of business grants launched

Related topics: Coronavirus / Economic growth

A second phase of grants for businesses impacted by coronavirus has been launched by Shropshire Council.

The additional discretionary grant fund has been set up to support firms who have been hit by the second coronavirus lockdown, and has gone live on Shropshire Council’s website.

The scheme will follow the same level of grant payments that the recently launched Local Restrictions Support Grant does, but will also be available to eligible businesses who are not the business rates payer, and those operating from residential premises.

The first phase has already helped hundreds of businesses in the county, with thousands of pounds of grants already being processed.

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for assets, economic growth and regeneration, urged eligible firms to get in touch.

He said:

“There is no doubt that this year has been extraordinary for our wonderful businesses here in Shropshire, but we are doing our best to process as many grants as possible to those who have applied already.

“This second phase will see even more help on offer for a wider range of firms and we especially want to hear from those who have been most impacted by the pandemic.

“Traders have been asked to bear in mind that businesses within the events and retail, hospitality and leisure supply chain will be treated as priority, and businesses that cannot show losses of more than 30 per cent will not be considered.

“We are limiting the scheme to a three week period and will close it earlier should funds be allocated more quickly.

“We are here to help and support businesses across Shropshire and I would encourage all those eligible for help to visit out dedicated grants webpage and apply.”

Grants will be awarded at three levels as follows:

  • A grant of £1,334 for:
    • Properties with a rateable value of £15,000 or under
    • Where businesses are not the business rates payer.
    • Where a business operates from a residential premises.
  • A grant of £2,000 for properties with a rateable value of between £15k-£51k.
  • A grant of £3,000 for properties with a rateable value of £51k or over.

To be eligible through this scheme, details on impact will be required to ensure we are only paying businesses most in need.

To apply, visit: https://shropshire.gov.uk/covid19darg

Funding through the Local Restrictions Support Grant is also available and can be accessed by visiting the following site: https://shropshire.gov.uk/covid19lrsg