Smaller firms can apply for Covid-19 cash

MORE small businesses struggling to survive because of the coronavirus pandemic could be eligible for grant funding in the Derbyshire Dales.

The Derbyshire Dales Covid-19 Discretionary Grant Fund has been further extended to include local, independent small and micro businesses with high, ongoing fixed premises costs occupying business property with a combined rateable value or annual rent below £101,000.

To support the phased reopening of the economy, priority was given to businesses required to close and unable to trade during the shutdown.

Applications from other local small and micro businesses (occupying business property with a combined rateable value or annual rent below £101,000) with high, ongoing fixed property-related costs experiencing significant disruption due to Covid-19 will also be considered, with priority given to businesses in manufacturing and engineering.

The grants are funded by a limited allocation of £1.7m made available by the Government to Derbyshire Dales District Council to help certain small and micro businesses prioritised for support at national and local level.

A district council spokesperson said: “Small or micro businesses must satisfy core eligibility criteria to apply, including trading on 11 March 2020, from premises used wholly or mainly for business purposes, have high ongoing fixed business property costs and applicants must be able to demonstrate a reduction in turnover of 20% or more due to the impact of Covid-19.”

Businesses considering applying for a discretionary grant are urged to read the guidance at www.derbyshiredales.gov. uk/discretionarygrant