Flood-affected businesses urged to complete funding application form

Shropshire businesses affected by the recent flooding are being urged to complete a short online application form to determine if they’re eligible for financial support.

Shropshire Council is able to give business recovery grants of up to £2,500 that can be awarded to small and medium-sized businesses that have been directly or indirectly impacted by the February 2020 flooding.

The council can also award 100% business rate relief for a minimum of three months, or until the business is able to resume trading from the property if this is longer.

Before the business recovery grant or any business rates flood relief can be awarded, some further information is required from each business that wishes to apply for such support.

The online application form can be found on the Shropshire Council website.

Meanwhile, households affected by the flooding and eligible for financial support will begin to receive their funds in the coming days.

Steve Charmley, Cabinet member for assets, economic growth and regeneration, said:

“We recognise how devastating the flooding impacts have been in parts of the county and how this is affecting our residents and businesses. We hope that the grants available will go some way to relieving some of the immediate pressures that they’re facing.

“We’re keen to process payments to those businesses affected as soon as possible to assist with recovery, but we need all businesses to complete our short form, which will enable their eligibility for the funding to be assessed.

“Meanwhile households have been supported by our customer service centre, revenues and benefits staff and a whole host of others, who all did their bit to help ensure payments could be made promptly. This is no small task when so many households were flooded, but efforts have been made to ensure everyone could access their funds as quickly as possible.

“I want to say thank you to all businesses that have been in contact with Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury BID to outline how they been affected by the flooding. This information, collated by both ourselves and the BID, has helped to inform the Flooding Recovery Plan, and will assist in trying to attract further financial support for any businesses that have been severely impacted. It will also enable us to lobby the Government and other agencies for the long-term sustainable management of the River Severn.”

Businesses are also being advised that the annual business rate bills for 2020/21 have already been produced, and won’t reflect any business rate flood relief that they may be eligible for.

Any business rate flood relief will be credited directly to their business rate account, and an amended bill will follow.