The final call is going out for local eligible businesses to access Government cash set aside to help the retail, leisure, hospitality and small business sectors, before the scheme closes at the end of the month.
More than £30million in government grants has been paid out to more than 2600 small businesses in North East Lincolnshire to help them through the COVID crisis.
Additionally, 154 businesses we successful in their application to the discretionary grants scheme and have received funds totalling £1.587million.
But according to records, a small number of businesses eligible to receive funds from government as part of the Small Business Grant scheme or the Retail, Leisure, Hospitality Grant scheme, have not been in touch despite being contacted directly by the council.
“The team has done an immense job so far to make sure the eligible businesses get the money quickly to help them through the COVID-19 crisis,” said Cllr Philip Jackson, Leader of the Council.
“But there’s a small number of eligible businesses that haven’t yet contacted us, and we’d encourage them to do so quickly. We now know that the Government is closing the grant scheme at the end of August, but this means we need to get the claims processed by then, so our closure date is 22 August – just a couple of weeks away.
“Businesses that are eligible for these funds should come to us and apply as soon as they can in order to get these funds in their bank accounts, usually within a matter of days.”
As a reminder, grants of up to £25,000 are available for businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors who have a business rating on their premises with rateable values of less than £51,000. Grants of £10,000 are available for all businesses in receipt of Small Business rate relief or Rural Rate relief. These grants will not need to be paid back. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-business-support-grant-funding
A simple online form needs to be submitted in the first instance – available on www.nelincs.gov.uk/coronavirus – in the “Business grants and support” section. The Council will then perform the necessary checks and endeavour to pay eligible grants before the closing date.
Cllr Jackson also issued a warning about potential fraud: “As part of the process, businesses need to submit specific information through the council’s website, which includes some financially sensitive information regarding the business. Businesses need to make sure that when they submit this information, they are doing it through the council’s website, not through any other resource. If there is any concern, businesses should contact either the E-Factor email or visit our website for more information in the first instance.”
If you aren’t sure about what other measures are available to help your business, or talk through options, email businesssupport@e-factor.co.uk in the first instance to arrange a call back from one of the advisors. Someone will call you back to discuss your queries, and make sure you find the information and support you need to make the decisions that are best for your business.
If you need additional general information about other council services, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/coronavirus in the first instance.
Article from NELC.
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