Help for East Northamptonshire businesses during COVID

Help for East Northamptonshire businesses during COVID

East Northamptonshire Council has announced a further business support funding package to support businesses that have had to close or have been severely impacted due to the recent lockdown measures.

These grants differ from those offered earlier in the year, in amounts available and eligibility criteria. Previous schemes are now closed.

The new Local Restrictions Support Grant scheme supports businesses that were open as usual, providing services in person to customers from their business premises, but which were then required by law to close for 28 days due to national lockdown restrictions imposed by Government.

From 5 November to 2 December 2020, a single grant to cover the 28 day period will be paid to each eligible business and the grant amounts will be fixed:

• If the business is eligible and has a property with a rateable value of £15,000 or under, it will receive a cash grant of £1,334 per 28-day qualifying restriction period.
• If the business is eligible and has a property with a rateable value of above £15,000 and below £51,000, it will receive a cash grant of £2,000 per 28-day qualifying period.
• If the business is eligible and has a property with a rateable value of £51,000 or above, it will receive a cash grant of £3,000 per 28-day qualifying period.

A new Discretionary Grant Scheme has also been developed to support businesses that are not eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grant but have been severely impacted by the restrictions put in place to control the spread of Covid-19.

Cllr Steven North, Leader of East Northamptonshire Council, said:

"We know life has been tough for many of our businesses and want to get this help out as quickly as possible. I would urge anyone who thinks they qualify to complete the online application form so that we can confirm they are eligible and that they get the correct payment.

"I'd also urge local businesses to take a look at the range of business support available via our Recovery Through Enterprise plan. This includes support with financial planning, business development and mental health."

For details of eligibility and how to apply, visit www.east-northamptonshire.gov.uk/COVIDbusiness

Details of further business support can be found at www.east-northamptonshire.gov.uk/COVIDbusiness including the council's economic recovery plan – Recovery Through Enterprise.