Hastings Offers Two Further Government Covid Lockdown Business Grant Schemes

Thursday, 12 November 2020 12:54

By John Warburton @Warblefly

Hastings Borough Council has released specific details of how local business owners can apply for the newest government grants, to help enterprises through enforced closures.

The support came as lockdown rules obliged many types of businesses to close their doors to face-to-face trading until December 2nd.

Money from local restriction support grants will be distributed by the council, though the funding itself comes from central government.

Full details of eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found on the council's website at https://www.hastings.gov.uk/lrsg

Cllr Peter Chowney, lead councillor for Financial Management and Estates, said,

"We have worked incredibly hard to get this grant scheme up and running as soon as possible, to provide grants to the businesses who need them during this difficult time.

"We have received just over £2 million from the Government for this specific grant scheme, and we expect there to be a similar number of businesses that will be eligible for this funding as the small business grants and the retail, leisure and hospitality grant funding which we distributed earlier this year.

"The amount of money each business receives will be dependent on the rateable value, and full details about this can be found on our webpage.

"All you have to do is fill out a simple application form, and we should have the funding with you in no time."

A separate, discretionary, scheme is also running for nearly a year-and-a-half, to help enterprises that may not qualify under the stricter rules outlined above.

Cllr Chowney added:

"The Government have also provided some limited "one off" funding for an 'Additional Restrictions Grant'.

"This will be a discretionary scheme, devised and managed by the council, and will assist, for example, those businesses not eligible for the local restriction support grants such as those in shared accommodation with no separate rateable value.

"This discretionary grant fund will be in place not just for the current lockdown but for the period until 31 March 2022.

"The council is working on a scheme and once approved, we will update our website and social media channels with advice on how to apply."