Almost £7 million made available to help businesses hit by second coronavirus Lockdown

Eligible businesses across Shropshire are being urged to apply for the latest round of coronavirus support grants which have gone live today.

Shropshire Council has been given almost £7 million to be made available for businesses who have been forced to close during the second lockdown period lasting until Wednesday 2 December 2020.

The council has received £6.75 million funding from the Government to hand out local restrictions support grants to local firms, which will be based on rateable value.

Business that can apply are those who have had to close during this 28-day lockdown period, including non-essential retail, leisure, personal care (such has hairdressers and nail salons), entertainment, sports facilities and hospitality.

Three levels of grants are available depending on the rateable value of the business. Those with a rateable value under £15,000 can apply for £1,334; those between £15,000 and £51,000 can apply for £2,000; and those with a rateable value over £51,000 can apply for £3,000.

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for assets, economic growth and regeneration, said:

“I am pleased that we have had our funding from the Government for the business grant scheme to open, covering this four week national lockdown.

“I would urge eligible businesses to get in touch with us as soon as possible so we can begin processing the grants and getting them out to you.

“I know many of our businesses are having a tough time, but this support is on offer and I would urge you to take advantage of it.”

The council will work to process any applications to the grant scheme as soon as they come in, to ensure this essential support to qualifying businesses is paid out as quickly as possible.

To qualify for a grant a business must be the ratepayer occupying a business premises on the rating list on the date of the commencement of the national restrictions.

A series of business support programmes and discretionary grant funding are also being developed to support businesses falling outside of these categories, and is due to be announced in the coming days. The discretionary grant funds will be used to support businesses who have seen significant losses during the pandemic. Further details of the scheme and application process will be made available as soon as possible.

Earlier this year, more than 8,700 of the county’s businesses were provided with almost £87 million of grants helping businesses to continue in their premises, reopen to the public and replenish their stocks.

Business can apply by visiting: https://shropshire.gov.uk/covid-19-grants

You can also email: covid19businessenquiries@shropshire.gov.uk