More than 2,000 Cumbrian businesses could miss out on coronavirus grants, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce is warning.
The Government is offering £10,000 grants to any business in premises with a rateable value up to £15,000, and £25,000 grants to businesses in hospitality, leisure or retail with a rateable value of more than £15,000 but less than £51,000.
The deadline for applications is this Friday, August 28, and official figures show there are 2,128 eligible businesses in Cumbria that have yet to claim.
Chamber Chief Executive Rob Johnston said: “Nearly 15,000 Cumbrian businesses have received these grants since the schemes were launched in March.
“For some, this money has been the difference between survival and going under. They are grants not loans. There is no requirement to repay the cash.
“It would be a tragedy if some businesses miss out because they’re not aware of the deadline.”
The grants are administered by district councils.
Information on how to apply can be found on the Chamber’s website at https://www.cumbriachamber.co.uk/news/28193-dont-miss-out-on-coronavirus-grants
Meanwhile, Cumbria Business Growth Hub says it has been “inundated” by enquires about new coronavirus recovery grants launched last week.
It is administering two government schemes, one for small and medium-sized (SME) tourism businesses and the other for SMEs in other sectors.
They can apply for grants from £1,000 to £5,000 to cover the cost of buying-in specialist advice to address their immediate needs in response to COVID-19.
They must be able to demonstrate a 40 per cent loss of income, caused by the pandemic, between March and June compared with the same period in 2019.
So far, 698 businesses have enquired about the grants.
The Growth Hub is advising businesses to act quickly because funding is limited. Grants will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Details are on the Growth Hub website at https://cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk/news/26196-new-grants-to-help-smaller-businesses-recover-from-the-pandemic
