A scheme to provide discretionary grant funding for businesses affected by coronavirus restrictions has been launched in Barrow.
The Government made extra funding available to councils across the country to support firms affected by the second lockdown.
In Barrow this will be distributed via the Additional Restrictions Grant – with eligible businesses invited to check the criteria and submit applications from today.
Councillor Ann Thomson, leader of Barrow Borough Council, said: “This scheme is here to provide much needed support to businesses in our area that have been affected by the second national lockdown.
“This year has been incredibly tough and businesses have been hit hard. We have a limited amount of money for this scheme and we want to be able to help as many people as possible with it.
“I would urge people to check the criteria for the discretionary scheme and apply as soon as they can so they can benefit from this money.
“Payments will be transferred within 14 days for those businesses that are eligible once the team has received all the information they need.”
The Additional Restrictions Grant will provide a one-off payment for businesses that were not eligible for the Coronavirus Restrictions Grant (Closed).
Three levels of grant payment will be available for those eligible:
- Businesses with a rateable value of £0 to £15,000 will receive a grant of £1,334
- Businesses with a rateable value of £15,001 to £50,999 will receive a grant of £2,000
- Businesses with a rateable value of £51,000+ will receive a grant of £3,000
In addition, where eligible businesses fall outside the business rates system, the number of employees will be used.
In these cases, three levels of grant payment will be available for those eligible: Micro – 0 to 9 employees, £1334, Small – 10 – 49 employees, £2,000 and Medium, 50 to 250 employees, £3,000.
Additional information on eligibility criteria and details on how to apply are available at www.barrowbc.gov.uk/coronavirus/additional-restrictions-grant/
Applications will then be assessed with funding paid out to eligible businesses within 14 days.
The first window for applications will end on Sunday, December 20.
Should any money remain in the fund after this date, a second application window will be opened.
